Every day is opening night.

Aydin Eyikan

Aydin Eyikan, one of the superhero Principal Understudy’s at Bob Fosse’ DANCIN’, joins us On The Couch this week. As the youngest member of the company, 19-year-old Eyikan leaped to The Music Box from The Winter Garden, where he was a part of the recording breaking run of The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. If in doubt, you’ll find Aydin an hour early at rehearsals, probably filming a video for his thousands of TikTok and Instagram fans.

What do you consider to be your best asset?
My ability to converse with just about anyone. 

What was your proudest moment?
Honestly, booking Bob Fosse’s Dancin’. Being 19 and standing amongst this cast is something I still can’t quite believe. 

What is your favorite drink?
Coke. For sure. 

What is your favorite food?
Sushi. Any day every day. 

What is your favorite condiment?
Mayo. Don’t come for me. 

What is your current obsession?
Working out. If I’m not at the Music Box you’ll find me at the gym. 

If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Stressing too long about an interaction or event in the past. It takes a while for me to let things go, especially if they’re negative. 

What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
I guess at the moment I’m really trying to break out of this mold of just being seen as only a dancer. The industry tries to box us in and it’s a constant effort to be seen as a legitimate actor. 

What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Late night Ubers. Sometimes the train is just not the moment. 

What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Laundry. Hate it. 

What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Covering 5 principal roles on Broadway at once. Just kidding….. 😉

What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Sticking with commitments I’ve made and seeing things through from start to finish. 

What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Arriving places way too early. Seriously. Who needs to be at rehearsal an hour early? Apparently, me. 

What in the world most thrills you?
When someone tells me they were impacted or moved by a performance of mine. I think if I’ve made someone feel something then I’ve done my job. 

What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
Tik Tok dances. And the worst part is, I do them too. 

What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job? 
Forgetting the lyrics to the song “Shipoopi” in The Music Man 2021 revival, while singing two feet from Sutton Foster’s face on stage. Her reaction was priceless. But I’ve never recovered. 

What is your favorite place in the world?
My grandparents house in Pennsylvania. My grandfather has since moved, but some of my favorite childhood memories were in that house. 

What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
Reliability. A must. 

Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Cats. 100%. 

What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
Every day I take another step towards my goals. So I wouldn’t change a thing. 

What is your personal motto?
“I’ll sleep when I’m dead”. Been saying it since I was 14.