The hit musical “Altar Boyz” has been thrilling audiences around the country. Now Broadway/San Diego is bringing the show to town. I talked with young cast member Jesse JP Johnson while he was doing the show in Los Angeles.
“I’m from Littleton, Colorado,” Johnson began. ” I’m the middle child of three boys (Jacob, Jesse and Josiah). I’ve been performing ever since I was 3 years old, and I went to a performing arts high school. I always wanted to be a singer, so that’s what I’m doing!”
JCH: You are already a success on the stage.
JJ: Yes, in a way I’ve already made it. I’m 20 years old and I’ve been on tour for three years.
JCH: How did you go from high school to Broadway and the stage?
JJ: I first worked professionally in Colorado in dinner theaters and other shows. I’ve always been a step ahead of everybody else and could not wait to start my career. I wanted to do it rather than class-learn it. I feel like I learn more from the people I work with.
JCH: Did you go to New York?
JJ: My mom went with me for a week to see New York. She gave me an extra nudge. I decided I might as well audition for shows just to see how it was and to see if I was up to par.
JCH: Did you audition for a show and get one right away?
JJ: I auditioned for eight different shows and got called back for most of them. I had a good streak because I was a fresh face and nobody had seen me before. I had a happy-go-lucky attitude. I talked to everybody, not knowing they were the casting directors or the producers. They really liked it, as I was naïve. So I did something right and got in there. They called me in for the national tour of ‘Grease.’ I did it with Frankie Avalon.
JCH: You were 18 at the time. Was it a big thrill to go out on the road with a legendary star like Frankie Avalon?
JJ: It was pretty surreal. My grandmother is the biggest fan of Frankie Avalon. I arranged for her to meet him backstage. She cried; she was so cute!
JCH: After you did ‘Grease,’ what happened?
JJ: When I auditioned for ‘Grease’ I had also auditioned for ‘Oklahoma.’ They called me back at the same time. But since ‘Grease ‘ was only going to last for another year, I decided to go with ‘Grease.’ When I got back to New York, they called me back to ‘Oklahoma,’ and sure enough, I got into the show as one of their principal dancers. It was definitely a different type of role than I have ever played before. I was working with a world-famous choreographer named Susan Stroman. It kicked my butt, for sure!
JCH: Have you struggled much?
JJ: Some off it has fallen into my lap, but it’s always a big struggle, especially leaving home. Doing acting is such a huge leap and definitely a big task. It’s physically and mentally draining at the same time. I’ve had some lows and a lot of highs. You have to go into it knowing that these are the obstacles I’m willing to contend with because this is what I love to do.
JCH: How did you get ‘Altar Boyz’?
JJ: … The minute I finished with ‘Oklahoma,’ I went back to New York. I had nothing to do. I had to find a place to live. I was not going to college like all my friends were doing. I was stuck. I had no idea what I was doing. I went in to audition for ‘Hairspray.’ They said that ‘Altar Boyz’ was auditioning right down the street and that I would be good for that. So, I went in and sang and they called me back.
JCH: What would you like our readers to know about you?
JJ: I am young and ambitious. Being on the road, I never get to be crazy, because we always have a show to do. I turn 21 when I’m in San Diego, and the wildest thing I want to do is see the beautiful zoo! I’m just a big kid.
JCH: Who do you play in ‘Altar Boyz?’
JJ: I play Luke. He’s a mixture of Vanilla Ice and Joey from ‘Friends.’ He’s kind of like the ghetto white boy who gets himself into trouble. He’s a little slow. He definitely has a loveable trait about him in that he’s naïve and goofy. He’s just like me!”
“Altar Boyz” plays at the Civic Theater March 6 through 11. For information, call (619) 220-TIXS.