Corine Cohen: Joe, congratulations on the new show. I loved the last one at the York. Can you tell me about the new show at the Laurie Beechman Room!
Joe Iconis: Thanks for the kind words about the last show (TRIUMPHANT BABY!) THE ROCK AND ROLL JAMBOREE is different for a couple reasons. For starters, it’s all music and lyrics by me. For TRIUMPHANT BABY, I wrote music to the lyrics of(the incredible and amazing) Robert Maddock. My work as a composer/lyricist is definitely different from the stuff I do with Maddock. Whereas the show at the York was sort of a one-woman song cycle, this show is very much a concert (although there are definitely some bits of theatricality in there!) All in all, I think the show feels like a bunch of friends who have had one-too-many, sitting around a piano with instruments and sing and playing their favorite songs. There’s lots of different styles represented (rock and roll, country, musical theater, soul), but I think they all feel like they belong together. Probably because we utlizie kazoo and washboard in almost every song. People have compared it to “The Last Waltz,” or “Mad Dogs and Englishmen.” I’d say that’s about right.
Corine Cohen: Will you bring Lorinda to this show?
Joe Iconis: Lorinda is one of my favorite actresses/people in the whole world. I banned her from this show because she is so good that she takes attention away from others. No, I’m just kidding. I banned her because she gets violent when she drinks.
Corine Cohen: That is funny! How do you pick the guest stars?
Joe Iconis: I only asked people I respected and wanted to work with. I always feel weird about asking people to be in my shows who have a certain level of “fame.” I’ve never had any interest in using a performer just because they are well-known and I’d never want anyone to think I’ve asked them to be in a show of mine Because they are well-known. In the case of Anthony Rapp and John Gallagher Jr., they are simply actors who I have been obsessed with for many years and always wanted to work with. Annie Golden I’ve worked with a bunch of times in the past- she is one of the greatest people in the whole world and her talent is astounding. Luckily they all said yes when I asked them. I feel weird about putting their names on posters and stuff, though. While I do love them and respect them and am excited about working with them, I’m just as honored and humbled that the rest of the cast agreed to do this show with me. I don’t like singling out the more well-known people because the truth is- there is no one person there who is more talented than other person. There is not one stinker in the bunch, man, and that makes me proudest of all. You can say what you want about my material, but one thing I know is that you won’t see a greater collection of actors/musicians on any other stage in New York. These people are remarkably talented and unique and they are going to take the world by storm. And I will gladly kick the ass of anyone says any differently. Truthfully, I have no desire to work with people who suck, no matter how famous or pretty they are.
Corine Cohen: John Gallagher is a talented guy. I also adore Annie Golden I loved her in "HAIR" What do you want to do next?
Joe Iconis: I have several immediate goals: Get a production of my musical THE BLACK SUITS up and running before I’m old, shake the hand of Paul Thomas Anderson, and get a tattoo. I’d also really love to have a weekly gig somewhere- a place where I can just go and play songs and if people wanna come and listen, Great, and if not, I’ll just play for my grandma and the bartender. And beyond that, I just want to keep creating more opportunities for me and my friends to get together and play. It’s truly my favorite thing in the whole world to do and I just want to keep doing for as long as people let me. And when they stop letting me, then I will become a goat farmer.
Joe Iconis: Thanks for the kind words about the last show (TRIUMPHANT BABY!) THE ROCK AND ROLL JAMBOREE is different for a couple reasons. For starters, it’s all music and lyrics by me. For TRIUMPHANT BABY, I wrote music to the lyrics of(the incredible and amazing) Robert Maddock. My work as a composer/lyricist is definitely different from the stuff I do with Maddock. Whereas the show at the York was sort of a one-woman song cycle, this show is very much a concert (although there are definitely some bits of theatricality in there!) All in all, I think the show feels like a bunch of friends who have had one-too-many, sitting around a piano with instruments and sing and playing their favorite songs. There’s lots of different styles represented (rock and roll, country, musical theater, soul), but I think they all feel like they belong together. Probably because we utlizie kazoo and washboard in almost every song. People have compared it to “The Last Waltz,” or “Mad Dogs and Englishmen.” I’d say that’s about right.
Corine Cohen: Will you bring Lorinda to this show?
Joe Iconis: Lorinda is one of my favorite actresses/people in the whole world. I banned her from this show because she is so good that she takes attention away from others. No, I’m just kidding. I banned her because she gets violent when she drinks.
Corine Cohen: That is funny! How do you pick the guest stars?
Joe Iconis: I only asked people I respected and wanted to work with. I always feel weird about asking people to be in my shows who have a certain level of “fame.” I’ve never had any interest in using a performer just because they are well-known and I’d never want anyone to think I’ve asked them to be in a show of mine Because they are well-known. In the case of Anthony Rapp and John Gallagher Jr., they are simply actors who I have been obsessed with for many years and always wanted to work with. Annie Golden I’ve worked with a bunch of times in the past- she is one of the greatest people in the whole world and her talent is astounding. Luckily they all said yes when I asked them. I feel weird about putting their names on posters and stuff, though. While I do love them and respect them and am excited about working with them, I’m just as honored and humbled that the rest of the cast agreed to do this show with me. I don’t like singling out the more well-known people because the truth is- there is no one person there who is more talented than other person. There is not one stinker in the bunch, man, and that makes me proudest of all. You can say what you want about my material, but one thing I know is that you won’t see a greater collection of actors/musicians on any other stage in New York. These people are remarkably talented and unique and they are going to take the world by storm. And I will gladly kick the ass of anyone says any differently. Truthfully, I have no desire to work with people who suck, no matter how famous or pretty they are.
Corine Cohen: John Gallagher is a talented guy. I also adore Annie Golden I loved her in "HAIR" What do you want to do next?
Joe Iconis: I have several immediate goals: Get a production of my musical THE BLACK SUITS up and running before I’m old, shake the hand of Paul Thomas Anderson, and get a tattoo. I’d also really love to have a weekly gig somewhere- a place where I can just go and play songs and if people wanna come and listen, Great, and if not, I’ll just play for my grandma and the bartender. And beyond that, I just want to keep creating more opportunities for me and my friends to get together and play. It’s truly my favorite thing in the whole world to do and I just want to keep doing for as long as people let me. And when they stop letting me, then I will become a goat farmer.
Corine Cohen: Hoping you will have many more years doing what you love. I can't see you as a goat farmer but I do admit that made me laugh:
1/13, 1/19 THE JOE ICONIS ROCK AND ROLL JAMBOREE @ The Laurie BeechmanNewly Blacklisted writer Joe Iconis returns to the Beechman, bringing with him his merry band of musical theater punks. THE JOE ICONIS ROCK AND ROLL JAMBOREE is a laid-back evening of Iconis tunes, featuring cuts from Joe's recently-orphaned musical "The Black Suits," and a bunch of new songs. Songs of hate and hope, suburbia and pornography, cougars and jailbait, dead people and livin' things and more sing-alongs than you can shake a glass of whiskey at. Some surprise special guests will join Joe for this, the first leg of his legendary "Mule Revolution " Tour 2008. So come on down to the Jamboree- it's loud, soft, sweet, nasty, and, above all else, bloody as hell. You got four shots, buddy: Jan. 5th (8pm), 6th (8pm), 13th (6pm), and 19th (9:30pm). The theater is located at 407 W42nd (off 9th ave) inside of the West Bank Cafe. Reservations (strongly suggested) can be made by calling 212.695.6909.
