Natalie Joy Johnson Bringing It On Live Feb 1st

It's really funny how some people are very calm, cool, collected, and just all around easy going. These words do not describe my interview with Natalie Joy Johnson. She is more like kinetic, energetic, enthusiastic and an atomic bomb waiting to explode. And wait no further, because that explosion of pure unadulterated talent will take place on Wednesday, February 1, as Natalie Joy Johnson bursts on to the stage at Joe's Pub for her eagerly awaited and truly deserving solo cabaret debut.

Johnson, star of the cult musical BARE as well as numerous Off Broadway and touring productions, will be forging new musical ground all her own backed by musical director Jonah Speidel and an eclectic band in a program directed by Ben Rimalower. The evening will feature musical direction by Jonah Speidel, who also worked on Postponed Indefinitely, which Johnson performed with Adam Fleming at Feinstein's at the Regency. He will front the Pink Champagne Orchestra. So, I wanted to get inside the mind of Ms. Johnson and well, here's what I came up with…

TJ: So Natalie, it's going to be your night on February 1st at Joe's Pub with your solo cabaret debut. Are you just a little excited?

NATALIE: "Well, excited AND scared." I, of course, am absolutely thrilled! I can't believe that I was dreaming about doing my own show there last year, and now I actually get to do it!!! But, with that excitement - comes a fair share of anxiety. You just want everything to go well - to choose a great program of music, to feel fully prepared, to sell tickets, to be in good health, to find an outfit...Luckily, I am working with such a wonderful team. Ben Rimalower is directing - which is so great. And between he and our producer Marissa Kamin, they are taking care of the business side of it - so that's one less thing for me to worry about. And Jonah Speidel, my musical director, is so brilliant - working with him is such a joy and such a dream! I have some really wonderful friends of mine singing backup, and our "orchestra" (complete with strings!) is going to be so amazing. I can't wait to have it all come together!!

TJ: Is it easier for you to perform as a character on stage in a show or getting to do your own thing in a night like this?

NATALIE: Well - both types of venues offer their advantages. With shows - you have already have the story, and maybe the music, and so you can get creative with how you tell that story. And, you get to explore your relationships with the other peeps onstage. And, you get to work with so many wonderful people, and really become a part of that show's community and ensemble - which I love. That being said, I would say that it's "easier" for me to just let loose and sing a song in a concert setting. Maybe it's because I'm not limited by one character's voice, and I feel like I have the freedom to just be myself, and tell that one song's story. There's something really magical for me, to be jamming with a band, and simply exploring a song with an audience. I love being able to personally connect with an audience.

TJ: What can the audience expect from you that night? I understand it's going to be quite an eclectic mix of music.

NATALIE: Eclectic indeed!!! I'm so happy to be doing such a wide variety of music! Of course there will be some musical theatre, but we're also exploring country, pop, the blues, R&B, rock.....And, I CANNOT wait for our full band rehearsals! With my 3 fabulous friends (Kevin Smith Kirkwood, John Lucas, and Michael Hammerstrom) singing backup, and the orchestra together - it's going to be amazing!!! Such a wonderful, full, complete sound!!! I really think that Jonah and I are going to pee our pants when we start putting all the pieces together!

TJ: I always find this fascinating to ask...how did you go about making your music choices for the evening? The answers usually range from the norm to the sublime. What about you?

NATALIE: We obviously wanted to make as varied a palette of music as possible. The idea is to take the audience on a really cool journey of wonderful music for an evening. And, I've had lists of music compiling for years, and Ben, Marissa, and Jonah all had wonderful suggestions as well. So, the real questions in deciding were - how is the flow? How is the music moving? And, really, do I love it? Do I love to sing the song? Because - the whole point is to have fun and to celebrate the music, and, ultimately, have the best night possible.

TJ: Who are the people who have influenced you musically?

NATALIE: Hmmm....good one. I love all kinds of music. But, I would have to say, I'm partial to the ladies. Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Jill Scott, Missy Elliot, Eva Cassidy. Barbara, Celine, and Mariah kill me with their voices - they are just insane! Of course I love musical theatre. And, I listened to a lot of oldies growing up! I love music - and, consequently singers - who have a lot of guts and honesty.

TJ: What's been the most exciting point in your performing career so far?

NATALIE: Another good one! Let's see - certainly, "bare" was amazing. Parts like those don't come around too often, and to get the opportunity to do that show, with such a wonderful and amazing group of people, was really such a great experience. Again - it's about working with wonderful people. Touring with "GODSPELL" after I graduated from school was totally exciting - being on the road for 10 months! Doing such a great show, where we got to really create the community! So wonderful. And, I know that I won't forget last year's show at Feinstein's at the Regency anytime soon. Adam Fleming, Jonah Speidel and I did our first cabaret there - and it really was so wonderful. Everywhere I looked, I saw people that I knew - the room was so incredibly warm. I just felt so free.

TJ: And freedom is good. So tell me, how did you get into acting?

NATALIE: Well, my dad says that I started singing as soon as I figured out how. And, so, that kind of led me into doing school concerts, and then eventually the musicals and plays. According to my mom, the moment that she realized that I had some talent was when I was in the 7th grade, and my music teacher, Ms. Bonnie, had put together this review. It was called "S.T.A.R.S.", and it stood for "students talented and ready to sing," which really spells "S.T.A.R.T.S", but you get the idea. Anyway, I played a drunk Ms. Hannigan, in ANNIE, and that was it. I did the shows in high school, and studied Theatre at Mary Washington College. And here I am.

TJ: Do you have someone special in your life that has guided you or strongly influenced you on the path to success?

NATALIE: Definitely my parents. They have always been super supportive - which is so wonderful. My dad used to play in a band when he was younger, and my mom loves music, so there was always music in the house. And, all through school I had teachers that really believed in me, and gave me wonderful opportunities - Ms. Bonnie in middle school, Mr. Sankey in High School, and Gregg Stull at Mary Washington.

TJ: In anticipation of the evening of February 1st, what would you like to say to our readers?

NATALIE: Please come!!! Seriously - if you like good music, I really think that you'll have a great time. I can't wait!!

TJ: And now, let's share, shall we? I am going to ask you to participate in my special survey called MY FAVORITE THINGS in which we find out a little bit more about Natalie Joy Johnson.

And here we go…..

1. YOUR FAVORITE BOOK - Naked, by David Sedaris. HILARIOUS!!! I was literally cracking up out loud the first time I read it.

2. YOUR FAVORITE SONG - That is impossible to decide. But if I had to pick one favorite album, I would say "Stripped" by Christina Aguilera. AMAZING.

3. YOUR FAVORITE STORE - Target!!!!! You can get everything there!!! I also love the Duane Reade. It's so easy to walk out of either of those places having spent $50 or $100.

4. YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT - No idea. Impossible to decide. I like all kinds of desserts. Cakes, pies, Entenmann's raspberry Danish. As for candy, I love peanut M&M's, and those new Take 5's are something to experience.

5. YOUR FAVORITE THING IN THE WORLD - Again with the impossible questions! I don't know...I had a handmade crocheted blanket that I had had ever since I was a baby. I loved that blanket so much that I took it on tour. And lost it. I was devastated. But, perhaps the person who cleaned our hotel room at the Suissotel in Boston has passed it onto someone else and they love it now. Please don't tell me it wound up in the trash!

If I see it around, Natalie, I will grab it for you … except if it's in the trash… :) In the meantime, everyone around can see the obviously energetic and extremely talented Natalie Joy Johnson take the house by storm in her solo cabaret debut at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street) on February 1st at 7:30 PM. Tickets for Natalie Joy Johnson, directed by Ben Rimalower (with Our Lady Jonah and the Pink Champagne Orchestra Featuring "the Bubblies") are $25 with a 2 drink minimum, and are now available at www.JoesPub.com, by calling Telecharge at 212.239.6200 or visiting www.telecharge.com. Visit www.nataliejoyjohnson.com for more information on our girl Natalie. And let me know what you think, will ya? For now, it's late, so, having used, as Natalie called them, my "impossible questions", I will say goodnight folks, and remember, theatre is my life. Cheers!