My Top 5 Showtunes: Marisha Wallace

Marisha Wallace's credits include Something Rotten and Aladdin on Broadway as well as the American tour of The Book of Mormon.

She is currently playing at the Savoy Theatre in London, in the UK premiere of Dreamgirls, sharing the role of Effie White with Amber Riley and Karen Mav.

We caught up with Marisha and asked her: "If you were stranded on a desert island which five showtunes could you not live without?"

1. "Rose's Turn" – from Gypsy

The Ultimate Broadway Diva Liza Minelli does a version of this song that is so full I don't have to watch her do it. I can just listen and hear all the emotion. And any song with horns blaring always gets me going. Mama Rose is definitely a role I want to play in the future.

2. "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl

No matter if it's Barbra Streisand or Lillias White whoever I hear sing this makes my musical theatre nerd heart skip a beat. I sang this with a 40-piece symphony orchestra in Barcelona and I lived my whole life. Soon as that vamp starts in the beginning you know it's about to pop off. And it's the ultimate haters back off anthem. I also secretly wanna play Fanny Brice.

3. "Lot's Wife" from Caroline or Change

This song is from a show that was pretty popular but not as well known, Caroline or Change. It has so many layers and the lyrics and orchestration really show the frustration of Caroline the lead character. The whole show is one of my favourites.

4. "The Oldest Profession" from The Life

Lillias White is one of the performers I have always loved. She was one of the first performers I saw in the theatre and thought, because of her, 'I can do this'. Her version of this song was funny and had amazing vocals. She didn't sound like anyone I had ever heard on Broadway. Which I loved!

5. "I'm Changing" from Dreamgirls

Of course, we all know "And I Am Telling You" is the ultimate Broadway showtune. But let's not forget Effie's other masterpiece in act two. Well, I may be a little biased but this song has always been my fave. You go through all the emotions in one song. Heartache, triumph, hope, inspiration. And we all have been there coming to a realisation, that you're not who people thought you were. You mature and you evolve and Henry Krieger embodies all that in one song. He is truly a genius. And it's also my fave song to sing.