The Prince Had a Ball! Santino Fontana Looks Back on His 'Great Times & Silly Mishaps' in Cinderella

In the corporate world, employees departing a job are asked to sit through an exhausting "exit interview" about their stint at the company. Although that model doesn't exist for Broadway performers, we think it's fun to check in with stars as they finish up a successful run. Tony nominee and Broadway.com Audience Choice Award winner Santino Fontana, whose royal engagement in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella is coming to a close, looks back on his "lovely, hilarious and joyful" time with his co-star Laura Osnes (even during her moments of "erratic violence").

Employee Name:
Santino Fontana

Job You're Leaving:
Prince Topher in Cinderella

How did you feel when you first got the job?
Excited and scared.

How do you feel now that you’re leaving the job?
Excited and scared. And sad.

What are three words you would use to describe your experience at the job?
Lovely. Hilarious. Joyful.

What was the easiest thing about the job?
Enjoying myself with that cast and telling that story.

What was the hardest thing about the job?
Having to deal with Laura’s erratic violence.

What was the highlight of your time at the job?
There are too many to count. I loved the preview process. I’ll never forget the great times I’ve spent with the cast onstage and off, laughing about silly mishaps, recording the album… So many highlights.

What skills do you think are required for future job applicants?
Being able to stare pleasantly at your love interest for long periods of time.

What advice would you give to future employees in your job position?
Enjoy the ride. And stretch occasionally.

Why are you leaving the job?
I love playing characters and I felt it was time to play another one. I’m excited to start rehearsals at Lincoln Center in a few weeks to take on Act One with another great group of people.

What will you miss most about the job?
That’s easy. The people. I love this cast and am gonna miss playing make believe with them everyday. Laura, Rebecca, Vicki, Harriet, Ann, Marla, Peter, Greg, Puma, Jill, Kristine, Callan, Steph, Shonica, Kendal, Robert, Jess, Irion, Brandon, Nathan, Sam, Andy, Linder, Alessa, Jeff, Kirstin, Cody, Branch, Ira, Alexis, Zac, Justin, Scott, Einhorn, Matt, Greg, Tamiflu and Lauren.