fyeahjoeiconis

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Smash needs to release “Broadway Here I Come” on itunes like right now because I must make it my ringtone and then never actually answer my phone when it goes off because Jeremy Jordan’s voice is so incredible why would I ever want to silence it? 

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Lynn Ahrens, Joe Iconis, and Marcy Heisler penned the lyrics for songs in a hypothetical musical about Michael Bloomberg. THIS IS AMAZING.

[fyeahjoeiconis]

This song is so… Oh goodness just listen to it. Actually listen to it.

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Jason Tam singing "Lisa" from The Black Suits at The Joe Iconis Rock And Roll Jamboree.

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Joe Iconis.

[fyeahjoeiconis]

“The Goodbye Song” -John Gallagher Jr (Iconis Jamboree)

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Eric William Morris singing "Mamma, Cut Me Deeper!" from Things To Ruin by Joe Iconis, at the Zipper Factory.

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Backstage during The Black Suits at The Public Theatre in 2008. Jason Tam, Sarah Glendening, Jason SweetTooth Williams, Mike Pettry, Krysta Rodriguez. 

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Now I've got myself a name And I'm ready to risk it With a battle-cry Disguised as a sing-along.

Joe Iconis, Things To Ruin

[fyeahjoeiconis]

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Old records remind me of things that are gone.

Joe Iconis, The Black Suits

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Krysta Rodriguez singing "Blue Hair" in The Joe Iconis Rock And Roll Jamboree.

[fyeahjoeiconis]

the people all are pointing, I bet they’d never guess that the saint that they’re anointing is frightened of the mess. but even though I fear it, I’m playing all my cards - and baby, you are gonna hear it when I give ‘em my regards. 

NBC released the first hour of the premiere of Smash early this week, and at the end of that hour, the glorious voice of (probably soon to be superstar) Jeremy Jordan belted out a taste of this incredible song and stole the entire show from everyone (not that I’m at all biased towards Jeremy Jordan >___>). Anyway, I really fell in love with that little bit of it, and then yesterday I heard the full piece sung by (the also amazing) Krysta Rodriguez. I kept it on repeat for a good hour, totally entranced by the pull of the melody, how the chorus builds in tempo, and the emotional dissonance with the lyrics - this song is brilliant because it can be interpreted a number of ways, depending on whether you listen literally or metaphorically, fatalistically or optimistically. Is it bordering on the tragic or on unknown hope? That’s really up to the listener.

I’ve been fighting myself trying to figure out what to sing first for this new year - I had several options and every time I sat down with the accompaniment, my inspiration to actually let notes out seemed to evaporate. (Not to mention I’ve been sick off and on for the last couple of weeks, and am more exhausted than usual. Neither feeling is conducive for singing, unfortunately.) This is probably exceptionally weird to become my choice of opening the year - I haven’t sung anything a capella in a long while now, but there was something that drew me to it, and it felt okay for it to be less polished. I don’t know what 2013 is going to bring (I could almost go to pieces, but I’m not quite there yet), but at least right now, I’m still defiant enough to have gotten here.

[fyeahjoeiconis]

I am very proud of the group of artists I’ve surrounded myself with. I would lay down on train tracks for them, as they would for me. I only want to work with people who care. I have no interest in working with actors or directors or designers or producers who are “over it.” I care passionately about musical theater and about the art that I create, and its important to me that the people I create it with care just as much. It doesn’t matter if you’re incredibly well credentialed or you’ve never been in a show before. If the passion is there, it’s there. If it’s not, go to hell. Without getting too self-important about it, I really do believe that theater has the power to change people’s lives. I know it has changed mine. To be able to be a part of something like that is an absolute gift. And if you can’t see that, go get a job working in a coal mine like a real person. Beyond that, I like actors who look, sound, and act like humans. I don’t like musical theater affectations and I don’t care how high you can belt. Just be real.

Joe Iconis, 2011 interview with Emerging MT.

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Joe Iconis Rock And Roll Jamboree rehearsal shot at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Krysta Rodriguez, Joe Iconis, Jared Weiss, Ian Kagey, and Lance Rubin.

[fyeahjoeiconis]

Check out my pix from this year’s Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular. (My concert photography skills are still developing, but these are pretty rad, I think.)

Also, check out this life-changing rendition (by Joe Iconis and Molly Hager) of The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York.”