It is great to meet you, Joshua; thank you for taking the time to speak to us.
You were born in South Florida but moved to New York when you were nine years old. Do you think moving to the big apple was the turning point in your life? Is it there where you began playing the piano and perfecting your skill?
Yes, definitely. I went to NYC when I was 8 for a summer program and was signed by an agent right away. I wasn’t planning on staying in NYC or looking for an agent. Right after the summer program ended, I started auditioning for Broadway, TV and film immediately and really was able to focus on training with others in the industry. I booked a lot of different voice overs that required a lot of sight singing when I was 8, which definitely helped me improve my skills not just as a singer, but as a musician, too. There were a lot of different Broadway shows and tours that were constantly auditioning, so I had to learn a lot of material very quickly and perform it at a very high level. All of this definitely allowed me to take my skills to the next level. I think it was a turning point because in NYC I became completely immersed in the theater and music world and was surrounded by others with similar goals.
It is evident that you are one of the hardest working musicians/actors in the game, but how do you pass the time when you are not working? What are your other hobbies outside of entertainment?
Thank you so much! Well, when I’m not working, I am pretty much always composing or writing something. To me, that isn’t work at all because I love it so much. I also have fun streaming on Twitch or going live on Instagram, which has been a really cool way to perform online. Other than music and writing, I also love to spend time with my sister and our dog, Pokey.
Looking back at some of the most acclaimed Broadway musicals over the last few decades, which one would you love to have starred in and why?
I would have loved to star in Once the Musical. I think I was 7 when I saw it and it is absolutely one of my favorite musicals. Aside from the music being absolutely amazing, I love that all of the actors are also musicians. Playing “Guy” is defintely a dream part one day, as is Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen.
Is it true that you can play fifteen instruments? If so, which one was the hardest to learn?
Haa, yes. I love learning new instruments and expanding my musical vocabulary. I started playng piano as soon as I could pull myself up and reach the keys. Piano and drums came naturally to me. I think the hardest for me are string instruments. But I’m hoping to get a Roli Seaboard soon, which is like an electric modular high-tech keyboard which can mimic string sounds really well!
Lastly, what has been the most surreal moment in your career so far?
The most surreal moment was being the first child ever in a Forbidden Broadway show. Gerard Alessandrini is the show’s creator and it’s been running in NYC over about 38 years. It’s a musical comedy show and I used to listen to it when I was younger. Then when I was around 11, I was cast to play Perry Mason the 4th in a reading of a new musical Gerard was doing at Lincoln Center. A year later, the incredible Carol Channing passed away and Gerard wrote a new Forbidden Broadway show called Forbidden Broadway Salutes Carol Channing, featuring some of the all-stars of Forbidden Broadway, like Christine Pedi and Fred Barton, and I was cast to play Young Gerard. About a year after that, Gerard called me and said he was writing a brand new Forbidden Broadway series and asked if I would star as one of the original cast members. He had never used a child before in 38 years, so it was a lot of pressure, but it was one of the most surreal moments of my career so far. So many Broadway, TV and film legends come to the Forbidden Broadway shows, like Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sheldon Harnick, Joan Collins, Norman Lear, and more. I’d say a close second surreal moment was when I was cast to play Flounder in The Little Mermaid Live-To-Film at The Hollywood Bowl with Alan Menken. Getting to meet Alan Menken and performing on the same stage as him was totally surreal.
Do you plan to release any more new music in 2021?
Definitely look for new music coming soon. I’ve been working on two new musical as a composer and writer, am writing new songs for a feature film coming out soon, and just wrote a song with one of the greatest songwriters in country music. I’m really excited to share more music with everyone.
Lastly, and a random question, if you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have any superpower, I would probably make everyone stop the hate and make everyone feel included. Everyone has a place where they belong.
Be sure to visit https://www.joshuaturchin.com/ for more information on Joshua.
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