Joe Aaron Reid takes the Actor Hub Musical Theatre Challenge

Feel free to like my actor page on Facebook: Joe Aaron Reid, and you can follow me on Twitter Instagram and Periscope at @joeaaronreid.

Represented by Shepherd Management (UK) and VGP Management (US)

Training: BFA in Musical Theatre; Ithaca College; New York.

Theatre includes: In The Heights (Benny, West End), If/Then (Scott/ Stephen opposite Idina Menzel, Broadway); Ghost – the Musical (Broadway); Catch Me if You Can (Broadway); Finian’s Rainbow (Broadway); Chicago (Fred Casely, Broadway) and Curtains (Ronnie Driscoll, Broadway); Once on This Island (Daniel, Lucille Lortel); The Tin Pan Alley Rag (Roundabout/Laura Pels); Finian’s Rainbow (Encores); Why We Tell the Story (Lucille Lortel); Kismet (Encores); Lines (Joe, TBG); On the Town (Gabey, 5th Avenue Theatre); A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Gymnasia, Williamstown Theatre Festival); Ragtime (Paper Mill Playhouse); Cats (Munkustrap, Northern Stage); Camelot (North Shore Music Theatre, Boston); Beauty and the Beast (Les Places des Arts, Montreal, and Lyric, Baltimore); If/Then (National, Washington DC); Curtains(Ahmanson); Guys and Dolls(MIMF, Macau, China) and Kiss Me, Kate (Paul, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company).

Television includes: SMASH, It Could Be Worse, The Tony Awards, The Today Show, The David Letterman Show and Live! With Regis and Kelly.

Workshops include: Legally Blonde: The Musical, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Lysistrata Jones, Empire: The Musical.

Original Cast Recordings include: If/ Then, Catch Me If You Can, Curtains and Finian’s Rainbow.

If you want to take the Actor Hub Musical Theatre Challenge please get in touch

A song from the first musical you saw/heard

Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man from Show Boat.

Of course there are many songs in this show that live in my heart, but I remember hearing the many vocal parts of that number and just being enraptured by their beauty and how they fit together.

A song from your latest musical obsession

Wait For It from Hamilton.

Everything from the poignant lyrics and beautiful melody to the sick orchestration and Leslie Odom Jr.’s velvety tones.

I definitely “fangirl” to this song.

A song demonstrating how underrated you think a musical is

The Act I finale, I Had A Life from Ghost: The Musical.

I originated the show on Broadway, and in my over a decade of experience between there and now the West End, it is rare you get an experience of being onstage in those truly chill inducing moments.

People, specifically critics, really went to town on this show, but there was nothing ever like it on Broadway. The MAGIC of the show was unrivaled, and the technical aspects of the show were jawdropping.

Was it a perfect show? Absolutely not. Did it get its due? Absolutely not.

A song which can make you cry

The Gods Love Nubia from Aida.

I was in high school, sobbing from the 2nd to last row of the balcony. We also performed it in Show Choir. To this day I lose it just thinking about it.

A song which makes you laugh

Everybody Ought To Have A Maid from A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.

I did an allmale version of this at Williamstown Theatre Festival, and they are now doing that same production at the Two River Theater in NJ. If you can make it, RUN DO NOT WALK!! It’s INCREDIBLE!!

The musical you’d kill to be in

Make Me Happy from The Wild Party (Andrew Lippa).

This show rocked my world when I first heard the recording back in college, and to this day I’ve yet to audition for it anywhere.

More people need to be doing it!

A song sung by your favourite female character in a musical

Children Will Listen from Into The Woods.

The great thing about Sondheim, is that there are always unturned stones and gifts for you to find in his writing. A character like the Witch is deep yet playful. She is cold yet loving. She is selfish yet maternal. Her complexities make her one of the most interesting characters in musical theatre.

It’s a beast of a role, and with the right beast playing it, there is an undeniable magic.

A song sung by your favourite male character in a musical

Bring Him Home from Les Miserables.

Jean Valjean is the man. His story is remarkable. The strength that he shows, and the care that he exhibits for his fellow man, makes everyone pale in comparison. I don’t know anyone that would not like to be like Valjean.

It takes an incredible actor to do this role justice. It takes an unbelievable vocalist. The balance between power and grace is paramount.

A song from the musical you know all – or nearly all – the lines to

Seasons Of Love from Rent.

I’m pretty sure everyone, not just theatre kids, know the lyrics to this show.

Your guilty pleasure musical

Let Me Be Your Star from Bombshell (SMASH).

Now I know it’s not a musical, yet, but this one always has me from the first notes of the piano. It gives me musical theatre chills in all the right ways.

The musical which made the most impact on you

Daddy’s Son from Ragtime.

I saw the show during my sophomore year of High School, and I was not the same after I left the theatre.

The music of the show touches my heart in a way that nothing else does. The messages in the show are as relevant now as they were at the turn of the century. It’s a genius piece of theatre.

A song you could listen to all day.

Endless Night from The Lion King. It’s just simple and beautiful.

A song by your favourite musical composer

Out There by Stephen Schwartz. I mean…the man writes an INSANE contemporary power ballad. I love singing his stuff.

The character you’d kill to play

Wheels Of A Dream from Ragtime.

I swear, by the end of this challenge, I would have listed the entire track list of the Ragtime OBC recording.

I’ve done two productions of Ragtime. I understudied Coalhouse at Paper Mill Playhouse, years ago. I never got to go on. Anyone out there reading this…I don’t need rehearsal. I’m ready. Put me in coach!!!

The character you’d kill to play – if you were the opposite sex

So Much Better from Legally Blonde.

I mean, Elle Woods would just be fun!! Sing your face off, music video dance break, Playboy bunny costume, range of emotions, come out Valedictorian of Harvard???? BOOM! DONE!

A song which inspires you

Go The Distance from Hercules.

Does this count? It should be a musical. I can’t believe it’s not.

Many musicals have three black girls wailing. This would be FIVE!!! Dead.

Anyway, this song inspires me because in a world where you hear “no” a lot, and people are always looking for the next best thing, this song reminds me to follow my heart and dream big.

The musical you’ve seen over and over

No Good Deed from Wicked. I’ve seen it at least 10 times. I seem to always have a friend doing it.

I enjoy it though, so it doesn’t feel like an effort.

The character in a musical you can most relate to

When You’re Home from In The Heights.

Coincidentally, I am playing Benny right now at the Kings Cross Theatre here in London. He’s a good guy who has big dreams, and although he’s a bit of an instigator with his friends, he has a huge heart. Unfortunately, when it comes to love, there are people who feel that they have a say in the matter.

I relate in every way. All I can say is, do you. Be you. Love fiercely. Work Hard. Although you will hear “no” a lot, it doesn’t mean you have to listen. Blossom into the beautiful flower you are meant to be.

A song from your favourite musical