Theatre veteran but Broadway newcomer Sarita Colon made her highly-anticipated Broadway debut last fall in the new musical Death Becomes Her. The hilariously campy new comedy starring Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams. We sat down with Sarita to talk about her career, lessons learned touring with On Your Feet, and her recent debut.
A proud member of a large Puerto Rican family, Sarita’s passion for performance was sparked early in life, nurtured by a home filled with music and dance. She fondly recalls summers in Puerto Rico, attending lively festivals that left an indelible mark on her artistic spirit. “I’ve always loved performing. We would go to these festivals in Puerto Rico in the summer and watch live musicians and dancers and just I loved it, the audience and the energy.”
Sarita’s career boasts impressive credits, from performances in celebrated productions like In the Heights and On Your Feet to appearances on The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Her journey has been shaped by transformative collaborations, such as her work with choreographer Sarah O’Gleby. “I owe her so much. She really paved the way for my TV career. I met her in 2017 for SNL when Jimmy Fallon was hosting. Seeing how she leads in a room and her grace and positivity, she really cares about her dancers. I’ve learned a great deal working with her.”
Reflecting on her time touring with On Your Feet, Sarita shared the unique challenges and rewards that come with life on the road. “Being on tour with On Your Feet was a whole other experience. Being in this group and traveling, a lot comes with that. It really opened my eyes on how to take care of my body and spirit and figuring out my process.” Compared to shorter runs, whether a regional production or out-of-town tryout like she experienced with Death Becomes Her, touring can be an exhausting process, but one that she took head on and was grateful to have a strong, supportive cast to work through together.
Sarita’s journey with Death Becomes Her began nearly two years ago From the workshop stage to the Chicago run and finally the Broadway premiere last fall, Sarita’s journey was guided by faith and persistence. “I was in a place where I was thinking, ‘is Broadway going to happen for me?’ and thought maybe I should focus on the TV and film aspect. I was reading a book called Signs, and there was a chapter about asking the universe for a sign, so I gave it a try. I said, ‘if Broadway is going to happen, send me a sign of a white butterfly.’
“So I get an audition for the Death Becomes Her workshop, I go in, I kill it,” she laughs. “At the final callback, there was a scene where we all read for [the character] Chagall and you have to hand out this bright pink business card. I had this bowl of business cards at the front of my apartment and found this hot pink business card. I picked it up and turned it around, and there was a picture of a white butterfly. I went to the callback and just felt so confident, and everything felt so aligned for the first time.”
Sarita also emphasized the importance of personal growth, taking breaks, and staying open to opportunities. “This world is scary and can be very intimidating. You have to put yourself out there. There are so many platforms and things you can join: clubs, groups, workshops, and classes. You just have to do the homework and research and network. Don’t be afraid of meeting new people, reaching out, asking questions. When you feel stuck, do what makes you happy. What brings joy to you?”
Sarita Colon’s story is one of resilience, passion, and determination, inspiring performers and audiences alike with her journey from vibrant Puerto Rican festivals to the dazzling world of Broadway.
