Kyle Riabko

Kyle Riabko starred as 'Claude' from 9 Mar - 27 Jun 2010 in the Broadway revival of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical which played at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre from .

Birthday?
September 29, 1987.

Place of birth?
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

You now live in?
New York City.

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
No. But my high school, Evan Hardy Collegiate, had a fantastic drama and music program.

As an actor, do you have a preference for stage, tv or film?
I love them all for different reasons. They are distinctly different ways of expressing yourself, and the work of the writer.

Your first stage performance?
I played Wilbur in Charlotte's Web in seventh or eighth grade.

Career highlight to date?
The (Vancouver 2010 winter) Olympics - played at a medal ceremony in front of thousands of sports fans. That was pretty fun. Every day is a highlight though.

What roles would you most like to play?
No matter what the role is, I always find a piece of myself within it. And at the end of the project, that character has taught me something vital about myself. So I'm welcome to any character entering my life and teaching me something.

What's the best advice you have ever received?
My parents are always telling me not to worry so much. That's always nice to hear.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
I was in San Francisco and, during an off-stage break, I went pee. My mic was accidentally still on - so the sound of my urination filled the theater during the scene that was taking place.

What is the most annoying part about your job?
The only annoying thing about being in a show is that you can't see the other shows! Every once and a while there is a crack in the schedule, where you can go see another production, but it's rare.

What will you most remember from your Broadway debut?
My opening night with Spring Awakening was like a fuzzy dream that went by in a heartbeat. I was barely conscious. I've been on stage my whole life, but for some reason it was incredibly frightening. I just remember being thankful for muscle memory, because my mind was floating somewhere in space.

Briefly tell us how you become involved with Hair?
I auditioned for Diane and the rest of the Hair crew, and I guess they liked me! It's such a beautiful production, and I was thrilled to be given the opportunity.

Briefly tell us about the character you play in Hair?
I play "Claude", who is a strong, bright, determined young man who is caught in the midst of the Vietnam draft. He faces a constant struggle between his love for his friends and his love for his country.

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
I don't know that there really is another option. Although I've always said I would have liked to be a novelist. But something tells me I would go insane without that audience every night. I'd have to read my new pages out loud in the streets, like a crazy person.

Who are your favorite actors?
Jimmy Stewart, Marlon Brando, Paul Newman. Those are some pretty strong men. I admire their ability to make the audience forget that they're watching a work of fiction. To make every moment as honest as possible.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?
I would like to meet Jimi Hendrix, and just say "Thank you!"

Favorite after-show haunts?
After a show, you are more likely to see me eating a Chicken Parmesan sandwich in the comfort of my own apartment, than at any sort of haunt.

What was the last book you read, and name some of your favorite authors?
I'm just finishing "The Harvard Psychedelic Club" by Don Lattin - about Timothy Leary and his peers during the 60s and beyond. In preparation for HAIR. I really love to read everything. Junot Diaz is one of my new favorite authors. I just read "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao". It is a really beautiful book.

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favorite movies?
The last film I saw was "Sherman's March" - an amazing first-person documentary by Ross McElwee. I love anything by Woody Allen, and I'm a sucker for old Jimmy Stewart/Frank Capra movies. I just love movies.

Favorite TV programs?
Real Time With Bill Maher, Extras, The Daily Show.

Favorite holiday destinations?
I don't really holiday. I've been to Mexico -- that was beautiful. And I'm planning a trip to Italy soon -- but you'll have to ask me that question again when I'm old.

Do you have any hobbies?
I love basketball. In all forms - playing, watching.

Do you have any superstitions?
I try to eliminate all superstitions from my life - but I catch myself every once and a while. It's a freeing feeling to know that you control your own destiny - not a superstitious routine.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
I don't understand why this question is so interesting to people. I can almost promise you that I will never in a million years be on a desert item with exactly three items - but I guess I would take my guitar and a pen and a pad of paper.

What are your future plans?
My future plan is to experience art. To serve it, to create it, and to enjoy it.