With the Broadway season in full swing, actors Erica Ash of “Baby It’s You!” and Colin Donnell of “Anything Goes” have to keep themselves in top shape while performing eight shows a week. The Daily asked each to keep a health and fitness diary for one day and share their secrets to staying strong and fit.
ERICA ASH
“BABY IT’S YOU!”
Ash, who won the 2010 NAACP Theater Award for the regional production of “Baby It’s You!,” worked as a nutritionist while taking pre-med classes at Emory University, so it’s no surprise she takes her diet and health seriously. Her career took off on a different trajectory after she spent a year in Japan performing and realized that entertaining was her true love.
ERICA’S JOURNAL
6 a.m.: Wake up. I like to enjoy the peace of early morning before the hustle and bustle of New York City life starts.
6:05 a.m.: Make a smoothie of apple juice and a few teaspoons of The Original Superfood by Greens+.
6:30 a.m.: Today is Bikram yoga day. I find Bikram yoga to be an “everything” workout that stretches, tones, detoxes and provides cardio. I try to do some type of workout every day except for days when I have to perform in two shows, because on those days the second show is the workout. So, in essence, I work out five days per week, alternating between yoga, going to the gym (cardio, fitness classes, weights and/or sauna), and a nice 4-mile jog or walk outside if the day is lovely. On my days off I don’t work out. I’ve found you must have balance.
8:15 a.m.: Back home to make one of my morning cocktails. Today I’m choosing a veggie smoothie since my blood is really flowing and my body feels pretty receptive to a nice big dose of healthy vitamins and minerals. Into my Vitamix blender I add water, Raw Meal, organic apple, banana, organic baby spinach, and a little organic maple syrup.
I’m a health nut, so I like to create my own super food smoothie recipes that give me what I need. For example, I have a wonderful raw cocoa smoothie that I make when I need energy, an acai/blueberry smoothie that has lots of antioxidants, and a green smoothie that provides energy as well as lots of vitamins and minerals.
8:30 a.m.: Jump in the shower and get dressed for the day.
9 a.m.: Pack up a lunch/snack bag. Today I made homemade carrot, cashew and ginger soup, so I’ll pack that up along with a spinach salad, pita chips, a piece of fruit and a bag of homemade trail mix. I love dark chocolate so I pack a couple of squares for dessert. I also make a quick 32-ounce gingerade, which is my vocal and physical pick-me-up for the day. It consists of water, lemon, ginger, apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. I sip this constantly throughout the day.
6 p.m.: I stop off at the local deli and grab a salad and a roll to go with my soup and head to the theater. Usually I like to arrive at the theater by 7:15 p.m., but since today has been so busy, I’d prefer to sit in my dressing room to eat and take a few moments to just relax.
7 p.m.: I begin my vocal warm-up and sip my gingerade in between exercises. I have my vocal warm-ups on my iPod, so I sit and vocalize while I start my hair and make-up prep for the show.
7:55 p.m.: I go up to my little stool backstage and sit with my eyes closed and pray. I give thanks for how abundantly blessed I am and pray for focus and strength throughout the show as well as to be a blessing to someone in some way in the audience. I do that at intermission, and at the end of the show, as I’m walking off the stage, I give thanks as well. This is a nightly ritual and I never miss it.
11:00 p.m.: The day is done and I’m back home! I make myself a big chocolate smoothie with banana and coconut flakes and sit in front of my TV to wind down with my favorite shows. But I only give myself an hour. Then I’m off to bed to get up and do it all again tomorrow!
COLIN DONNELL
“ANYTHING GOES”
After breaking his ankle his freshman year and being unable to play football or wrestle, Donnell was encouraged by his mom to audition for his high school production of “Barnum.” Donnell went on to study theater at Indiana University, then toured with the national productions of “Wicked” and “Mamma Mia!” before stepping into his breakout role in “Anything Goes.”
COLIN’S JOURNAL
9:35 a.m.: I usually wake up between 9 and 10, sometimes a little earlier and rarely a little later, depending on what time I went to sleep the night before.
9:45 a.m.: After puttering around for about 10 minutes to fully wake up, I do my first 20-minute meditation of the day. I have practiced a form of Vedic transcendental meditation for almost four years now.
10:07 a.m.: I make my pre-workout shake, using Cellucor powdered mix, and take my vitamins and have a little fruit while I listen to public radio, answer emails and chat with friends for about a half-hour to 45 minutes.
10:45 a.m.: Workout time. I’m on the P90X+ routine right now and it’s been a huge help in achieving my goals for the show. Saturdays are usually Kenpo days (read: sweating while punching and kicking, knowing that anyone would laugh if they actually saw me). This is usually followed by a protein shake of some kind.
12:15 p.m.: Time to head down to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre for “Anything Goes.” I try to get there between an hour to an hour and a half before the show so I can take care of anything I need to get done as well as relax and focus. This usually involves some stretching (I listen to yoga podcasts), and some vocal warm-ups. Today I also signed Playbills for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and got first dibs on “Bagel Saturday,” which was the opening-night gift to the company from my wonderful leading lady, Sutton Foster. Every Saturday, a huge amount of bagels and tubs of cream cheese are delivered for the cast and crew. I like everything bagels with veggie cream cheese. That and a little coffee really kick off my Saturday.
2 p.m.: Showtime! After shaving, doing hair and makeup and getting dressed, I’m ready to spend the next 2½ hours sweating and having a great time entertaining the audience. If I need a little boost during the show, I’ll have some fruit or a protein bar or maybe some almonds. Sometimes I’ll treat myself to a little sugary goodness in a candy bar, as I have a real sweet tooth.
5 p.m.: Show is finished and I’m out the door to sign a few autographs and grab some dinner. Typically it’s a salad with lots of vegetables and some protein. If I’m craving pasta of some sort, I’ll get that with vegetables and a light marinara sauce. After dinner it’s straight back to the theater for my second 20 minutes of meditation of the day.
8 p.m.: Repeat! Another Saturday night on Broadway!
Post-show: Out the door, sign a few autographs and treat myself to a glass of red wine and a light snack, like a meat plate or a vegetable dish, before heading home to sleep. Then wake up and do it all over again!