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 become an actor?

Andy Karl (Outstanding Actor in a Musical, Rocky)

“What made me say I want to come to New York was seeing Michael Cerveris in Tommy. That one rocked my whole being, and what musical theatre could do. The music was something I was very familiar with—I loved The Who—and then Cerveris came out and did this incredible performance, and I was like, ‘if I could blend all that together, I’m happy.’ And I was actually able to hand Cerveris his Lortel Award the other day and I thought, ‘it’s all full circle now.’”

Check out Tommy’s performance from the 1993 Tony Awards to get a glimpse of the rock musical that knocked Rocky star Andy Karl out.