Life, Art and so on....
Chronicle - Thank you Justin for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to our readers. Chronicle - So let's start from your most recent projects and work backwards. You just finished Moonshine, That Hee Haw Musical in Dallas where you were away for three months; tell our readers the ups and downs of being away from your family for that amount of time.
Justin - Theater can be a double edged sword. If you want to be in new musicals that have the potential to be the next Phantom or Wicked then you have to ride the process all the way through. People think that a musical is written and then it opens on Broadway. In reality it takes anywhere from 5-10 years for a project to make it from conception on the page to Broadway...and the expense to get it there is huge. Recently, That Hee Haw Musical was in the stage just before a potential Broadway debut known as "the out-of-town tryout.” It's just what it sounds like, a test of the musical out of town (in this case "town" being NYC). I was very fortunate to be there in Dallas with the project for three months. Unfortunately, my family wasn't able to join me. I struggle all the time with splitting my heart between loving every second with my family, and loving every second I'm on stage and in my creative space.
Chronicle - Do you think that show will get to Broadway?
Justin - Fingers crossed! There are a lot of factors that go into getting a show on Broadway...but what I do know for sure, is that Moonshine is a great musical, and I'm proud to have been a part of it.
Chronicle - You have been very successful and busy in your Broadway career. Before Dallas you had just finished up a major role in Wicked Was doing Wicked a game-changer as far as your Broadway career?
Justin - I've been very fortunate to have spent the last five years on Broadway, building, learning, and making some wonderful friends along the way. When I did Wicked it was a game-changer for sure. When you have 1,600 people in your audience each night, and the theater is sold out every night, and you're in one of the biggest shows on Broadway, and the show is most people's first Broadway show...it tends to give you a bump in visibility. "Fiyero" is a great role, and really put all my skills to the test. And I loved the experience.
Chronicle - Either during or at the tail end of Wicked, along came Little Sweet for Doctor Pepper, I know people that didn’t know that it was you but still were imitating and repeating his lines. Why do you think people love this little guy? Justin - Lil' Sweet is one of those once-in-a-lifetime gigs that comes along...and I was in the right place, at the right time..and with the right attitude. I literally went into the audition thinking that there was no way I'd get it, so I was free to make any silly choice I wanted to...and I did, and it worked! Ever since, I've come to really love and enjoy the crew of people that I worked with. Such great folks, and funny as hell! I think people love him because he's supremely confident in even the most absurd situations...and he offers people sweet, no calorie treats ( I mean, come on...who doesn't love that!?
Chronicle - Recently it’s come to my attention that you are seriously looking to put together a new EP. What genre or style do you think is the best fit for you at this stage of your life?
Justin - I am...the new EP is going to fall along the lines of "Blue-Eyed-Soul"...with a modern twist. I love Soul/Funk/R&B music, and this EP is going to bring to bear the last 14 years of my experience in the music industry.
Chronicle - I understand you’re employing social funding methods for this project, is this the first time? And where can people contribute?
Justin - I decided to do a Pledge Music Campaign so that I could give back to the people that are helping me make this project a reality. Check it out at www.pledgemusic.com/justinguarini
Chronicle - You’ve been using social media since its inception and it’s served you well. What would you say about this resource to young artists just starting out?
Justin - Social Media is certainly its own beast, and each platform has its quirks and cliques. The best advice I can give to an artist starting out is to develop your Brand Know what your product is, how you want it to look/sound, and where it fits in the industry. If someone were to hand you a record deal right now with unlimited resources...would you know the exact record you wanted to make and how to get it out to the masses? If not, then you need to figure that out first.
Chronicle - I’m also curious about your follow-up CD, Stranger Things Have Happened.
Stranger Things Have Happened a jazz album. What led you in that direction?
Justin - I love Jazz. And have loved it for a very long time. The first chance I got to make an album of my own, I decided to make a jazz album. Not just any jazz album, though, but one that took off-the-beaten-path, standards, and put a modern twist on them (without abandoning the original flavor of them). It was a passion project, and I didn't really expect to sell many albums. But I've had success with it, and I'm very proud of it.
Chronicle - So what’s next for Justin Guarini?
Justin - I'm beginning work on my EP, which will be out around May of next year. Some television projects that I've shot this year will debut next year. Over the next few weeks I will be performing for the Preston and Steve show on WMMR in Philadelphia (campout for hunger) as well as for my third annual Holiday Ball at MOM'S in Doylestown, PA where proceeds go to Bucks County Housing Group. It's been a busy year and 2016 looks to be the same! Chronicles - Continued good luck Justin. The Chronicles Wishes you a very prosperous 2016.
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