Hometown: Berlin and Amsterdam
Education: Learning by doing, and watching and working with the greats like Nina Hagen, Hanna Schugulla, Joey Arias, The Tiger Lillies and many more. And taking a lot of music lessons!
Favorite Credits:Hedwig and the Angry Inch in Berlin, Vienna and Amsterdam; five albums
Why theater?: It either runs in your blood or not. Theater is the greatest illusion there is. You can create everything and need almost nothing.
Tell us about Starman:Starman is a one-man show with the music of David Bowie. It’s a theatrical trip that re-interprets his songs and takes you into my world and Bowie’s at the same time. If you know me as an performer, you know it’s gonna be entertaining, touching and wickedly bizarre.
What inspired you to create Starman?: Bowie was always there in my life and we have all these similarities. The idea of doing something with Bowie’s music has been there for a long time. After performing Hedwig and becoming more well-known myself, it felt like a good thing for my own artistic development to interpret the works of this genius.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: There is just so much great work out there. I have had so many encounters around the world over the last few years. I'm taking in all kinds of things, making notes all the time. I would say movies are my biggest inspiration. I just watched again Fellini’s 8 ½ and Opening Night with Gena Rowlands. I'm inspired by things that are out of the box and performers that create art while you watch them.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Roman Polanski
What show have you recommended to your friends?: I recommend everyone see every movie with Tilda Swinton. I am in love with her. And for people to see Justin Vivian Bond.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I don’t know about a film about me, but I would love to play the villain in a James Bond movie!
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Probably Christopher Marlowe’s plays in Old England, or Molière in France.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Because I work a lot, I’m often very tired and love to watch cheesy Hollywood comedies.
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: I would produce plays. When I really think about it, I don’t think I could exist without theatre, so there really isn’t anything else.
What’s up next?: Starman will tour around the world, including Australia, England, and Europe. In the meantime, I’m working on my new show which will premiere in Autumn 2017, and it will contain my original songs, and even more pop music. I’m very excited!
For more on Starman, visit Joe's Pub!