BWW Interviews: Josh Franklin of ANYTHING GOES Tour Takes On A Few Silly Questions

Costa Mesa is about to get a huge dollop of Cole Porter's winsome musical magic this week when ANYTHING GOES---Roundabout Theatre Company's Tony Award-winning 2011 Revival---finally docks at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County for a limited one-week engagement, September 24-29. The show also serves as the final offering of the Center's 2012-2013 Broadway season.

Starring alongside Rachel York (who plays Reno Sweeney) is actor-singer-songwriter Josh Franklin, who recently stepped into the role of Billy Crocker for the show's first national tour.

Franklin, of course, is no stranger to the show, having been in the ensemble of the show's original Roundabout Theatre run. Prior to ANYTHING GOES, Franklin's previous credits include the Broadway casts of GHOST, LEGALLY BLONDE and GREASE. He also toured North America in the first national tours of JERSEY BOYS, GREASE, Disney's ON THE RECORD and ALL SHOOK UP. Earlier this year, Franklin released his debut album Flyin' Higher containing 11 self-penned tunes! And when not performing, Franklin also finds time teaching musical theater in New York City as well as his hometown in Colorado Springs.

Before setting sail for the O.C., Franklin agreed to be subjected to a few silly rapid-fire questions...

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Subject: Josh Franklin
Hometown: Colorado Springs

BWW: Hi Josh! You've done lots of shows on Broadway... which role has been the most rewarding?

Josh: I'd say my two favorite roles have been Bob Gaudio in JERSEY BOYS and Billy Crocker in ANYTHING GOES---the role I'm currently playing!

Besides your looks, what other specific trait do you share with your character, Billy?

Ha! I see Billy as very mischievous and a hopeless romantic. I'd say I share both those traits!

What is the one song in the show you can't wait to sing each time?

"You're The Top." It's so much fun to play back and forth with Rachel York.

Alright, pretend we stole your iPhone/iPod. What music will we find on it?

Lumineers, Fun., Jack White, Rufus Wainwright, Kelly Clarkson, Louis Armstrong, Marc Broussard... and, of course, my album ;)

Do you have any must-do, pre-show rituals?

I've been doing a bit of yoga before every show lately.

Cool. In one word/phrase, describe what goes through your head right before you step out on a stage:

Ha, well it depends on the show. Sometimes it's, "I can't believe I'm about to do this." Usually I try to think about where my character is and focus on the fact that "I'm 30 minutes late and love sick."

So, describe the most embarrassing moment that has happened to you during a show?

In high school, I was playing Bobby in CRAZY FOR YOU and entered with my white shirt sticking through the zipper of my black pants! It was a matinee for younger students so they got a huge kick out of it! It took me a while to figure out why I was getting more laughs than usual.

Haha! Okay, what is a dream role in another stage musical that you would like to take on someday?

Ursula! I never know how to answer this question... I suppose something new and challenging!

What song do you like belting in the shower or when you're all alone in the car?

I usually am just riffing randomly.

Nice. Okay, what scares you the most?

Being alone... and unemployment.

What is your one guilty pleasure?

Banana Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt.

What do you like to do on your day off?

Play guitar, explore a new city, workout... oh, and rest.

What or Who irritates You the most?

Laziness.

What instantly puts a smile on your face?

My dog Sookie!

Awww. Okay, if you could trade lives with someone for one day, who would that person be and why?

Someone who's rich and lives in Paris. I'd like to spend all their money in Paris for the day!

Fun! If you weren't an actor/singer, what other career do you see yourself doing?

Perhaps teaching or directing. I love watching people perform and getting the best out of them.

And lastly, what has been your favorite moment of the ANYTHING GOES experience so far?

When Dennis Kelly [who plays Elisha Whitney] delivers a joke about me being Chinese... and as the audience laughs, he gets closer and closer to my face trying to make me break. He usually succeeds!

Follow Contributing Editor Michael Lawrence Quintos on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ

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Performances of ANYTHING GOES at Segerstrom Center for the Arts continue through Sunday, September 29. Tickets can be purchased online at www.SCFTA.org, by phone at 714-556-2787 or in person at the SCFTA box office (open daily at 10 am). Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa.

For tickets or more information, visit SCFTA.org.

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