“To do a musical takes a tremendous amount of energy because you have to act and sing at the same time. And everything has to be precise. Because you can't forget the lyrics because the band keeps playing, you know, and you're under a certain amount of pressure.”

American actor and filmmaker

Alan Alda is an American actor and filmmaker. Born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo, he has had a career spanning seven decades on stage and screen. He is best known for playing Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce in the CBS wartime comedy drama M*A*S*H, and for writing and directing many episodes of the series. His work in M*A*S*H made him a familiar figure to television audiences, and his career has brought him major awards, including six Emmy Awards and six Golden Globe Awards. He has also been nominated for an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, a Grammy Award, and four Tony Awards.