Michael Diego Alonzo
Michael Diego Alonzo is one of those actors you know is destined to be a star. Whether dancing and singing in the ensemble in 42nd Street or starring as Emmett in Legally Blonde, Michael is a standout. Blessed with a beautiful voice, superior acting skills, and a dancer’s moves, Michael is ready to step into any role. Currently, you can see the fantastic Michael Alonzo charming audiences as Pepper in Lyric Stage’s Mamma Mia! Take a few moments to learn about Michael and his background, motivations, and dreams.
When was your first time on stage?
My first time onstage was when I was in kindergarten at Price Elementary in Garland! The kindergarteners put on a circus performance for the rest of the elementary school. When we found out about it, we kiddos got to choose what we wanted to be for this circus…I enthusiastically circled Ring Master, and I can distinctly remember having my Hugh Jackman / Greatest Showman opening dream sequence, too.
Instead, I was to be a clown. And boy, my momma can tell all about how much I cried about it. I think I was uncomfortable with being silly and laughed at by strangers. Come show day, I wore my yellow clown suit, painted my face, and brought some bowling pins as props, and made the best of it! It’s a core memory, for sure.
If I had to choose again knowing what I know now, I would choose to be a clown.
When did you know you wanted to be an actor?
During my freshman year, my color guard director could not stop raving about some musical attraction that was in Dallas. Knowing I liked to sing and dance, he asked if I wanted to head to Fair Park and try the lottery. I knew little about this show…Something about the good and bad witch in “The Wizard of Oz?”
The show was WICKED - 2007 National Tour.
Anyway, we didn’t end up winning the lottery, but these two WONDERFUL ladies heard that this would be my first professional show to see, bought me an orchestra seat in dead center, CD, and poster.
Experiencing that show at 14 was life-changing and life-defining. Wicked is a spectacle in-and-of itself, and truly defined “magic in the theatre” for me. I had a “Wait a sec…I can do that for a career?” I’ve been hooked on musicals since.
And, to the two ladies who bought me my ticket, thank you again for your gracious gesture. And apologies to my band friends that endured my obsession with the show the remainder of the school year.
Who is your greatest mentor?
Easy! That would be my partner-in-everything, Kevin. He has kept me grounded, rational, and level-headed in my career, life, hopes, and dreams. He’s seen me at my worst, and he’s seen me at my Selena, and I could not imagine a life without him. AND he is so incredibly supportive of me, I don’t deserve him…but he’s stuck with me.
Also, can’t leave my family out of this, either. They’ve supported my dreams from day one!
What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?
This was a tough one to answer, but probably being in the ensemble for 42nd Street. You’re telling me I get to dance and sing the entire show, and not have the stress of learning lines!? Haha! There was so much dancing in this show, and to be alongside so many TERRIFIC performers was such a joy. The ensemble is so important to every show, and it was a thrill every night performing the opening tap number and the finale! That is a show I’d love to be on for a few weeks!
Do you have a dream role?
Dream roleS, totally! Jerry in An American In Paris, Al in A Chorus Line, Lead Player in Pippin, Orpheus in Hadestown, and any ensemble character or role in Dave Malloy’s Great Comet… and Octet
What person(s) would you like to be on stage with?
Ariana DeBose, Tony Yazbeck, and Jessica Lee Goldyn come to mind! Absolute triplet threats that I’d love to learn from.
What performances have you seen that impressed you?
The national tour of An American in Paris was another one of those “magic in the theatre” moments for me. The dancing in it was splendid, and it’s got some great tunes.
Most recently, Uptown Players’ production of Kinky Boots was a perfect night of theatre. I was so moved by the show and the performances of all. It’s also cool that so many of those performers are friends, too, so it made it that much more special to watch. Lee Walter is a superstar.
What are your career goals?
I want to join Actor’s Equity, book a national tour, and be on Broadway someday! Otherwise, I’d love to make a living as a universal swing…Its the coolest job in the business! And maybe in the future I will get a chance to perform and teach at either the university-level or at a performing arts magnet school. If you put it out in the universe, it’ll happen!
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a big marching band nerd! I was a color guard director for 5 years, and though I’ve since left my position, I’m lucky to still get to be involved with the activity. I get to teach the coolest and most hard-working group of high school students.
