‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Five: Meet BJ Gruber by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part 5 of our series of behind the scenes interviews with the director and cast of 1st Stage’s Altar Boyz. Now, meet BJ Gruber.

BJ “Jonathan” Gruber. Photo courtesy of 1st Stage.

BJ: My name is BJ Gruber and I’ve been acting professionally for 6 years. I will graduate from JMU this December with a Degree in Theatre & Dance, concentration: Musical Theatre. I started acting in high school with Les Mis (Bishop). I’ve worked at The Lost Colony and done several shows with them including: The Lost Colony (dancer), Charlotte’s Web (Gander), Oklahoma! (Dancer). I spent the summer of 2011 at Point Sebago Resort. We did 7 different shows 9 times a week. The book shows we did were All Shook Up (Chad) and Honk! (Drake). In 2012 I performed 5 shows with Theatre By The Sea (a LORT house in Rhode Island) including 9 to 5 (Dwayne), Forever Plaid (Frankie u.s.), The Sound of Music (Ensemble/Rolf u.s.).

Joel: Where did you get your theatre/vocal training?

Richmond Virginia with private teachers and James Madison University as a Musical Theatre major. I’ve also done community shows around Harrisonburg and Richmond,VA including City of Angels (Jimmy Powers), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barfee), RENT (Benny), and Pippin (Dance Captain) that I would consider part of my training.

Why did you want to appear in 1st Stage’s production of Altar Boyz?

1st Stage’s proximity to DC. I’d love to get my face around the DC area. It’s a great opportunity to do great theatre with great people. I love the intimate nature of 1st Stage’s house too.

Have you seen the show before and have you appeared in Altar Boyz before?

I have watched countless clips of it on youtube.

Introduce us to your role  and how you relate to the person you are playing?

Matthew is the All-American leader. He’s also the hardest to stick into a box. The other guys get Latin-lover, gangster etc. to work with. Matthew is the most normal kind of guy. He’s the first one to leave the group and the last one to come back. One thing is certain, Matthew definitely loves these other guys. Matthew’s is “the leader” but the show has 5 leads. His job is to make sure everybody gets their moment. I respect that about him. He has a good heart and gets momentarily misled, but he comes back. The lyrics in the final song say “yesterday I wasn’t half as strong.” Matthew grows from his mistakes and the group becomes stronger than ever.

What is Altar Boyz about from Matthew’s point of view?

These are his boys. He loves these guys. They’re his family.

Have any of you worked together before?

I have not worked with these guys before, but after a week of rehearsal they already felt like my brothers.

How did you prepare for your role?

Watched youtube clips of NKOTBSB and II Together. I spent sometime listening to those classics bands from the 90’s and early 2000’s: Backstreet Boys, N’SYNC, New Kids On The Block…

What have been some of the challenges you have had preparing for your role and rehearsing?

Finding Matthew’s arc has been the biggest challenge for me. Me and Steven are working out the kinks together. The music and choreography are a blast. I could work on it all day. The notes are hard, but the bigger challenge for the show is finding the right blend with all five guys.

What is the most vocally challenging song for you in the show?

The final number, “I Believe.” Adler and Walker didn’t give Matthew words or notes for the last two pages of the show. They simply wrote in “Matthew riffs.” It’s been a lot of fun finding different things that work for the section. I’m excited to see what we end up with!

Why do you think Altar Boyz is so popular all around the world?

Everybody loved boy bands. The show is intelligent, entertaining and has an incredible amount of heart. It brings up religion in a fun, sometimes joking, but gently way. It’s a show you can put on with 5 guys, so its easy to do in small houses. The script lends itself to an almost, ecstatic energy at times. There is no fourth wall. The audience is a sixth cast mate. I think the audience likes to feel involved. They want to be part of the fun.

Why should DC theatregoers come and see you in Altar Boyz?

The cast is all-star. I love these guys. They are talented, kind, and a lot of fun the watch. Our director, choreographer, and music director have all blown me away. Any regular or non-theatre goer can sit down and enjoy Altar Boyz. It is an awesome show for the masses that anyone can relate to on some level. It might even make you think a little… regardless anyone who comes to see Altar Boyz will not be disappointed.
The Altar Boyz are jumping for joy beginning November 23 at 1st Stage in Tysons! (L-R) Jonathan Walker (Juan), Ted Nagel (Mark), Zack Powell (Abe), BJ Gruber (Matthew), and Derek Tatum (Luke).

Altar Boyz plays from November 23, 2012 through December 30, 2012 at 1st Stage – 1524 Spring Hill Road, in McLean, VA. Purchase tickets online.

LINKS

‘The’re the Altar Boyz’: Part One: Steven Royal on Directing Altar Boyz at 1st Stage.

‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Two: Meet Zack Powell.

‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Three: Meet Edward Nagel. 

‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Four: Derek Tatum

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Joel Markowitz
Joel Markowitz is the Publisher and Editor of DCMetroTheaterArts. He founded the site with his brother Bruce to help promote the vast riches of theatre and the arts in the DC Metro area that includes Maryland, Virginia, and DC theater and music venues, universities, schools, Children's theaters, professional, and community theatres. Joel is an advocate for promoting the 'stars of the future' in his popular 'Scene Stealers' articles. He wrote a column for 5 years called ‘Theatre Schmooze’ and recorded podcast interviews for DC Theatre Scene. His work can also be seen and read on BroadwayStars. Joel also wrote a monthly preview of what was about to open in DC area theatres for BroadwayWorld. He is an avid film and theater goer, and a suffering Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan. Joel was a regular guest on 'The Lunch and Judy Show' radio program starring Judy Stadt in NYC. Joel founded The Ushers Theatre Going Group in the DC area in 1990, which had a 25-year run when it took its final curtain call last year. Joel is a proud member of The American Critics Association.

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