For our regular feature spotlighting the people who live and work on the Lower East Side, we talked with Broadway star and Bowery Babes founder Melissa Errico.

How long have you lived on the Lower East Side?

I feel compelled to point out that when I moved here, my street was called “The Lower East Side” by Corcoran Realty, but since then it has become known as “Nolita.” I moved here in 1997.

Why did you move here?

I moved here because I didn’t want to live in my husband’s apartment building on Central Park West. I thought the Upper West Side would turn me into a wife and mom way before I was ready. I’m sure it has nothing to do with his apartment building, but I felt something creepy about it. As our wedding approached, everyone asked us about when we were going to have kids and I don’t recall feeling that there was a whole lot of variety of people or choices. I had this idea that if we moved to the LES, we would be free and less likely to be defined in any way. Of course, we now have three kids and my career is, well, my career is what every actor’s career is — insane.

What do you do?

Oh, I just mentioned it. I am an actor. I am a singing actor really…

Read the full interview at TheLoDownNY.com