Theatre audiences are inspired daily by the works of Broadway’s brightest, but did you ever wonder what iconic performances inspired your favorite Broadway star to get there? BroadwayBox got all spiffed up and headed to the JW Marriot to chat with the 2014 Drama Desk nominees to find out from them: What was the film, TV show or theatre piece that inspired you to work in the theatre?

Alex Timbers, (Outstanding Director of a Musical, Rocky)

“Des McAnuff’s Tommy. I saw that as a teenager, and I had no idea theatre could really dialogue with popular music and the kind of visuals you see in music videos. I was blown away by it.”

Kelly Devine (Outstanding Choreography, Rocky)

“I would have to say my first theatrical experience (because I grew up on the West Coast) was Cats. I was like seven, but the idea of dancing and the cats dancing all around you in the theatre opened my eyes that it's not just film and television and commercials. You really could express yourself as a dancer in the theatre, and Cats was the moment that made me say I really should do this.”

Let the Jellicle cats open your eyes in the clip below