My Top 5 Showtunes: Michael Urie

Michael Urie found fame on the hit TV programme Ugly Betty. He is currently appearing at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Jonathan Tolins' one-man show Buyer and Cellar.

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

1. "Company" from Company

I spent four days working on Company with Roundabout Theatre in NYC – Daniel Evans was unbelievable as Bobby, John Tiffany directed, I played April hee hee. I learned more about music from four days of Company than four years of marching band, and being inside that opening number was like a dream.

2. "Brotherhood of Man" from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

I think this show is perfect and so did the Pulitzer Prize committee, and this incredible number is the culmination of a running theme in the show, that behind every idiotic man there is a much cleverer woman. Major props to Ellen Harvey who blew the roof off as Miss Jones when I was a brother.

3. "If I Loved You" from Carousel

A three act play in one song.

4. "I Still Believe" from Miss Saigon

I was reminded of how much I love this show when I saw the fabulous West End revival. Heartbreak and determination with enormously high stakes, it's a gut wrenching song.

5. "Everything's Coming Up Roses" from Gypsy

I loved this song as a kid for its inspirational words and upbeat tune. Once I learned the show, and the context in which Mama Rose sings it, it became a very different song to me. Amazing how one song can live so fluidly in two different worlds, depending on subtext.

Buyer and Cellar runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 2 May. You can read our review here and book tickets here.