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?

Jessie Mueller (Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Beautiful)

“The first show I remember seeing was a production of 1776 at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois. My father was in it, and he played John Adams. I was about four maybe? Yet I remember it, and I remember the show. And it’s weird because it's a bunch of guys in Congress, and I remember Martha Jefferson— she had a great dress and a great song—and I was like ‘I want to do that.’ And then my brothers and sisters and I went home and acted the whole thing out.”

See a glimpse of the musical 1776 in the clip below.