Saddling up to the bar at Sardi’s this afternoon, I realized that a bar is perhaps most uncreative place to schedule an interview of the Shubert Bar Manager. Fortunately, Melissa showed no signs of annoyance at the choice of interview venue, happy to enjoy the crackers and cheese at my recommendation.

Petite and gorgeous, Melissa is like the head cheerleader of the Memphis family. From her employees to the Producing staff, people respect her as much as they covet her curly hair. Take the girl out of Altoona, Pennsylvania, throw her into the muck and mire of the big city, and somehow she has remained a truly delightful person. Words people around the building used to describe her? Lovely, wonderful, a truly good person. (And New Yorkers don’t throw those words around lightly…or often).

Maybe its her Sicilian/Italian/Irish/German and French genetic makeup. Maybe it was the BA degree in International Politics (with a History minor). She’s a smart cookie but also a talented one who has recently been inspired by Memphis to get more serious about the acting game- though she already has NYC street cred having been on Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and by having a credit on www.imdb.com (for her role in the film “Anything for You.”).

In the event you get up and use the restroom during the show, you may catch a glimpse of Melissa, and her sidekick Matt, setting up for intermission while acting out the “She’s My Sister” scene (Melissa plays Delray) or trying to figure out the clap sequence in “Radio”- Dance Captain Jermaine may be called upon to consult. Though I can’t imagine Melissa will be around forever- she seems destined for something more and looks to get it sometime soon.

Melissa: Unplugged

What is your favorite piece of Memphis swag?
MM: Definitely the tote bag. I’m going to use it until its holier than a religious experience.

What’s your favorite song in Memphis?
MM: It changes every week. This week it is “Ain’t Nothing but a Kiss.” Last week it was “Steal Your Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The week before that it was “Colored Woman.”

If you had to go on in someone’s track, who would you want to go on for?
MM: Felicia. Though I often get mistaken for Hillary Elk at the stage door.

What’s your favorite thing to do on a Monday?
MM: Sleep in!

Favorite Moment in Memphis?
MM: In “Everybody Wants to Be Black,” figuring out how/when Huey exits the radio booth. Its pretty stealthy.

First Broadway Show you saw:
MM: Jekyll & Hyde.

Any Pets?
MM: A Shitzu named Max.

Are you OCD about anything?
MM: My office- I like everything to have a place.

1st Broadway show you worked on?
MM: The Color Purple

Last movie you Netflixed?
MM: ‘Leave Her to Heaven’ and the French version of Beauty and the Beast. I love old movies.

Question you are most freqently asked:
MM: “Where’s the bathroom?”

Favorite thing about your office?
MM: Its my lair. I love having a space in the city, especially in between auditions and things.

Favorite thing about working on Memphis?
MM: At Memphis, I definitely feel that I am working in the show versus working “at” a show; there is not this huge divide between the front of house and backstage. I also love how you experience live theater in a different way everytime. Like when Huey proposes to Felicia, Chad Kimball does something different every time. Its inspiring because you get to see those things you learn about in-class in practice onstage.