Second Cup: Adam Pascal

(CBS)  Singer/songwriter Adam Pascal has what some might consider unlikely roots for the lead in such Broadway hits as "RENT," Aida" and "Cabaret."

His roots are in rock.

And so is his new CD, "Civilian." In this week's Second Cup Café, Pascal performs "Beautiful Song" and "I'm With You" from the new release, as well as "Glory," from "RENT."

Pascal says he became a Broadway fixture almost by accident. He was always into Heavy Metal and rock bands, including his own Heavy Metal group, "Mute," which broke up in 1992.

But he tried out for the then-unknown off-Broadway production of "RENT" at the suggestion of a childhood friend in 1996. He'd never auditioned for anything before.

The rest, as they say, is history.

"Civilian" has a more thematic tone then his first CD, "Model Prisoner," Pascal says. The album was motivated by Sept. 11 and the birth of his first son, Lennon, named after John Lennon. Those two events, Pascal says, were life-altering. Lennon was born one month after Sept. 11. Pascal wrote most of the songs on "Civilian" during that time.

Pascal is currently making the "RENT" movie.

He says his role in "Cabaret" was by far his favorite, and he'd love to return to the Great White Way at some point.