Hometown: Potsdam, NY
Education: Hobart and William Smith Colleges (B.A. in french studies and dance); Maggie Flanigan Studio (conservatory training in acting)
Select Credits: The Americans, Law & Order SVU, Hunting Season, Dinner Takes All, Joshing Around, Sing No Evil.
Why theater?: Theatre is in the moment. It's exhilarating and contagious. I've always considered myself a theatre actor, I couldn't imagine my life without the theatre. It has taught me so much. It has given me humility, and a grounded sense of being. It keeps me on my toes. Challenges me to new heights. And I love seeing the immediate effect it has on the audience.
Tell us about “Love & Warr”: So, I had this terrible relationship, once.. It ended last Spring. It was a baaaaaaadddd breakup. That is actually a gross understatement. I couldn't get out bed for three weeks, so I started writing a show about how stupid I was to have fallen for such an awful person. And it occurred to me afterwards that I was actually feeling shock that it all ended. I had absolutely no respect for myself. And for the majority of my 20s I had built up my walls to fight off exactly that, letting someone reduce me to less than I am or deserve. I wanted to understand why and how I did what I did; all while knowing deep inside of me I was betraying myself. I needed to move forward, I needed to forgive to a certain extent. I turned to music. Music has a way with the soul. But that's the deep version. In my show, Love & Warr is a party. It is a celebration. Love makes us do some wacky things. So we sing and dance about it! And I get to wear some really awesome costume pieces! Like, so many gorgeous things.
What is it like being a part of “Love & Warr”?: Hopefully a trip down the rabbit hole ...
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Theatre that is truthful, passionate, specific, has a clear point of view, and wants to say something loud and clear. I love so many different genres, my only rule is, it must move me. Alan Cumming and John Cameron Mitchell. Cabaret is my all time favorite show. Nothing puts me through it more than Cabaret. I lived out a childhood fantasy of mine last year and saw Alan C. play the Emcee in Cabaret. I splurged on a third row ticket. Julianna Margulies sat at my table. We sometimes would glance at each other, with that look of pride for Alan Cumming's performance. Only, she actually knows the man! John Epperson and his character Lypsinka have been a huge influence on my life. I want to Lyp to officiate my wedding. Any day of the week you can find in my internet history a long list of Lyp pics. I get lost in Her. I've told John this many times. I'm inspired by anything Mark Rylance. That man is a genius. I'm inspired by passion. People, projects, ideas. Passion drives me every day to be a better artist and a better human.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Oh absolutely! Huck Finn in Big River. Ken in Red. Rothko is one of my favorite artists. So to get to play Ken in John Logan's play would be crazy insane. I love that play. I want to play Galaxy in Jane Martin's Somebody, Nobody. Although I think it is consistently miscast, ahem, I mean cast with a female. It's funnier with a man, though what do I know? Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. 1) I can't hit any of their high notes, so it is a pipe dream. 2) I clearly have a thing for godly men. Lastly, let's just cast Michael Urie and me in ANYTHING together. We would be a phenomenal team. Just sayin'!
What’s your favorite showtune?: I have been singing Big River since 1998. So it is safe to say anything from that album.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Des McAnuf. Bartlett Sher. Casey Nicholaw. Michael Mayer. Rob Marshall. Nathan Lane. Christine Baranski. Mark Rylance, Alan Cumming, and John Cameron Mitchell for sure. Ben Vereen. Liza Minnelli. I'm hoping my niece Rhia grows up to be a singer, she's 7 and has a pretty darn good voice. She's beautiful. I could literally list names all day long. I love and admire so many people.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: James Marsden. Who needs a title when he's starring in the film!
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Joel Gray in Cabaret. Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera in Chicago. Liza with a Z at the Lyceum (filmed on my birthday, May 31st!). Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl. OBVIOUSLY! I need to Queen out and say the set of "The Wizard of Oz". Oh to be a fly on those studio walls! Big River. The YouTube Tony performance is tiding me over for now. Starmites... Sharon McNight is my GIRL! And basically anything Cole Porter and Bob Fosse. I used to gag over Rachelle Rak in Fosse, but I actually got to see her perform some of those numbers live years later and fulfilled that dream. Just to be clear... still gagging over her. I absolutely have have have to say The Life. Sam Harris. Lillian White. Felicia Finley. Holy crap.. And lastly, John Cameron Mitchell in the early days of Hedwig. Downtown, grungy, dirty, coarse Hedwig. Oh how that movie molded my freshman year in college.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Seriously? All I talk about is "Love & Warr".
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: "Housewives of New Jersey". Teresa Giudice is where it is at. And Sarah Palin. Anyone who knows me knows I have the biggest crush on Sarah Palin. Listen, no one is saying I have good taste. That's why it is a guilty pleasure! "House of Cards" and "Orange is the New Black". Someone give these productions more money so we get more episodes! Sitting in a bar, sippin an overpriced pint, and daydreaming. Best date anyone could ever give me.
What’s up next?: I'm collaborating with a playwright, Barrett Taylor, on his play about Judy Garland and Edith Piaf. It's a gorgeous piece and I want to direct it. It moved me and inspired me when I read it, I just had to direct it. I would love to see "Love & Warr" have a life beyond the show on the 10th. "Hunting Season", season 2 is being released this Spring, I play the always charming and mischievous Harris. I love being a part of that show so I am very excited to see the final cuts. And hopefully a sitcom on ABC or NBC. Just putting it out there. Keep updated in the World of Warr at www.JoshuaWarr.com!
For tickets to "Love & Warr", visit http://54below.com/artist/joshua-warr/