Jennifer: What attracted you to this role, Josh?
Josh: I was aware of this role from the movie and it’s always been a dream role of mine. This was a dream role that I’d never thought I’d be able to play. It’s just been magic [being in this show] because we’re lucky it’s not been difficult.
Jennifer: How long have you been acting?
Josh: I was a musician throughout school, I’ve been a pianist for 20 years, and I was also in band. My senior year of high school I was in the musical, “West Side Story” and played the role of Tony. I’ve done a lot of community theatre in the Jacksonville, Florida area. I’ve done things with the Alhambra Dinner Theatre, at Fuel Coffee house and other theatres. I’ve been acting for 12 years.
Jennifer: I heard that you recently moved to New York City.
Josh: I moved to New York City to continue my acting career. I took a year off in order to get acclimated to the new city and I’m kicking off my acting career by being in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” with “Far Too Ambitious Productions".
Jennifer: It seems like the Sinclair was transformed from a bar into a theatre overnight, How long was the rehearsal process?
Josh: I arrived [in Jacksonville] on a Wednesday afternoon, rehearsals started on Thursday and lasted through Friday. This is the largest role I’ve had with the shortest amount of time to get into a routine! The musicians [in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”] are all rock musicians who have taken to the acting. All of the actors and musicians in this production are from Jacksonville, Florida.
Jennifer: The director told me that it takes an hour for your hair and makeup.
Josh: Yes, it does take a hour for hair and makeup, it’s makeup intensive for this show.
Jennifer: What is the most fun aspect of this show?
Josh: Stepping out of my comfort zone. I have a classically trained voice, not a rock/pop sound, my voice is more legit. It’s been very fun to [sing in this musical]. I love breaking the 4th wall and getting the audience involved. I loved the music in the movie so this is just a dream. It’s always important to do something to grow and stretch you [as an actor]. I’m not going to settle for fine. I want to go beyond and push myself to do something that I didn’t think I could and the rewards are coming to me.
Jennifer: How long is the production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”?
Josh: The show lasts a hour and fifteen minutes. There’s no intermission in this musical because there’s no intermission in a rock show.
Jennifer: Who wrote “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”?
Josh: Stephen Trask wrote the music and the lyrics and played the musical director in the original production as well as the film. The book was written by John Cameron Mitchell who also played the original Hedwig. This was a home grown product. This was tested in gay bars to see which jokes worked and which ones didn’t. So, these characters are loosely related in reality and grew into their own characters.
Jennifer: Who directed this production?
Josh: Chris Ferrell was the director. He’s smart and really pushes you [as an actor]. Chris is also someone who doesn’t settle for fine. The costumes were done by Joy Smith and Chris Ferrell.
Jennifer: The set and the costumes were fantastic!
Josh: We have a thriving arts community [in Jacksonville] that’s not supported by the city. The arts community needs to come together and be supportive of each other.
Jennifer: I completely agree with you, Josh, We’re all in this together.
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SecularHumanist
October 14, 2009, 01:09:13 PMI've seen Mr. Waller in a number of shows at Players-by-the-Sea, including Batboy! and Cabaret. It was obvious that he was going to be a star. Unbelievable stage presence and nuanced performances.
stephendare
October 14, 2009, 01:57:47 PMYeah, Josh is surprisingly talented.
He is so mild mannered in real life, and then he steps on stage and suddenly there is major presence. We first covered him some while ago (July 2007) in Batboy!
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2007-jul-batboy-preview