Joshua Morrisey of 'Mean Girls the Musical' | Exclusive Interview

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Thank you so much for joining me today and taking time out of Mean Girls, the North American tour. How's the tour been going? [00:00:06] Speaker B: It's been really good. I've been having a good time. I've been with the show since July now, so a couple months in, and I'm still feeling my way out, but it's been a good time. [00:00:18] Speaker A: I was gonna say that, yeah. You took over the role of Damian back in Toronto a few months ago. How has that experience been? I mean, that's such an iconic role. I mean, this whole show is iconic, but, like, yeah, as a gay. As a gay man growing up, Damian was the to look forward to, you know? [00:00:33] Speaker B: Right. I was. I was. I was very nervous stepping into this role, mainly because the show has been going on for a year now, and now I'm just like the new kid on the block, just trying to, like, squeeze my way in, like, hey, how's it going? But I really appreciative the cast because they really accepted me in the way that I do Damien, so I'm just very thankful for them. [00:00:57] Speaker A: What is. What is your approach to bringing this character to life? Because there's been so many iterations. You know, we have the original movie, and then we have the stage music, and then we have the music musical. I mean, there's so many different ways. How do you approach the character? [00:01:09] Speaker B: You know, I really took a lot of time just reading the script and, like, analyzing it and seeing what forms true to me. And one thing I really appreciate about our tour director, Casey Hessian, is that she trusted me and my initial instincts, even though they were maybe slightly different from how Damian's portrayed in the movie, she let me have that space, which I think playing it truthfully in every situation is the best way to go in my eyes. So I'm just thankful for her. [00:01:43] Speaker A: Which part of Damian did you kind of gravitate towards? Of, like, this is who I want him to be. [00:01:49] Speaker B: I wanted him. When I read the script for the first time, I was like, he is like a true ride or die friend that everyone should have. So that was like, my approach. How can I make him lovable? How can I make him. How can I show that he will do anything for his friends? You know? So like, even, like, with Janice, like, they're like an unbreakable bond. But when Katie comes in, he's like, okay, Katie, I got you too. I'm gonna show you around. I'm gonna let you know what's in, what's out. So I try to portray that as much as possible. [00:02:21] Speaker A: So playing up. I mean, this show is really about friendship and just kind of what it means to be a friend, and that's really questioned through Katie. But Damian's kind of the rock of that. Well, Janice and Damian are kind of the rock of what a friend should be. [00:02:35] Speaker B: Right, Right. [00:02:37] Speaker A: What are those dynamics with you and the actress who's playing Janice? Do you get to kind of play with that as well? [00:02:44] Speaker B: Yes. Me and Alexis, we're like. We slowly are merging into one human being on and off stage. We have a really good, quirky friendship because, like, when you're doing a show like that, she's like, the main person that I see all the time. Like, she's. I'm doing my scenes with her also. It's very important that we have a good connection on and off stage, and we've just been vibing well. [00:03:12] Speaker A: So it sounds like you made a bestie. [00:03:14] Speaker B: Yes. For the Life. For the Life. [00:03:18] Speaker A: Is. You know, with this being a story that so many people in our age bracket obviously recognize, do you feel like there's a pressure to bringing that to the stage? [00:03:28] Speaker B: There's definitely a pressure. I'm not gonna lie, because I know a lot of people love the movie. A lot of people love the original movie. And I actually was introduced to the musical first. I got into the musical when I was, like, 14, and I would, like, love the soundtrack. And I was listening to it down, and I was like. My mom was like, you know, there's a movie out, right? And I was like, oh, I should go check that out as well. So I missed that aspect of it. But really, when I got the role, I was like, okay, I want to make sure that I'm still playing, like, Damian, that people would like playing the Damien that people know and love, but still, like, adding, like, a new, fresh taste to it, if that makes sense. [00:04:14] Speaker A: No, absolutely. How do you think your approach to maybe starting with the musical and then seeing the movie? How do you think that maybe changed how you went into this? Because I feel like that does, like, to me, you know, like, the blueprint is the Lindsay Lohan movie, you know, and then you kind of see how it's adapted. But for you, this is, like. This is the adaptation. [00:04:32] Speaker B: Yeah. Watching the movie make, like. Cause there's some things that's in the movie that's not in the musical. There's some things in the musical that wasn't in the movie. Like, one thing being, like, the whole age of, like, social media that plays a big part in the musical Version that wasn't in the movie. So I think with that aspect, that's something I could connect to and resonate with. But even, like, the little jokes that are in the movie, I get to, like, add that into scenes where, like, I'm kind of in the background. Like, sometimes with Janice, I'll, like, play with her hair. Because, like, that one scene where Damon is, like, holding his. Yeah. You know what I'm talking about. So, like, at the lunch table sometimes, even though that's not like, a big thing, like, I don't have a line about that, I'll, like, add that type of stuff in. So, like, I'll merge it in together. [00:05:21] Speaker A: So. [00:05:22] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:05:22] Speaker A: That's really beautiful, though, getting to kind of even the parts where you're not, you know, you don't have a line, but you're. You're fusing all these different pieces, and that. That is what's making it your own. [00:05:32] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:05:34] Speaker A: So obviously this has music because it's a musical. How do you feel like the music enhances the story of Mean Girls? [00:05:41] Speaker B: One thing I appreciate about the musical is that we get to see Damien's. We can see more of Damian's love in the show and his willingness to, like, care for others. So. And where do youo Belong? Which is, like, the first, like, big song that Damian sings. He's, like, showing him around, showing Katie around the school and, like, seeing, like, all, like, the ins and outs, like, what's good, what's not good. And in the music in the movie, that part is, like, very quick, but we have, like, a long, drawn out section where it's like, here's the good things, here's the bad things. So I think the movie. I think the musical. The music in the musical enhances all of those emotions and brings it out so the audience can receive that in, like, a different light, Take it to. [00:06:33] Speaker A: Kind of dive in a little bit more with the characters. It's not, you know, that original movie is very focused on kd, where the musical, you know, you have possibly, like, an extra hour of time to play with some of those side characters and getting to give them their kind of due. [00:06:49] Speaker B: Right. Listen, I'm not complaining. [00:06:53] Speaker A: No, no, we love it. Again, you know, I think that representation is always important. You know, like I said, as a gay man, you're always looking for that. And to give a role that is clearly queer coded. You know, it's good to have more of that spotlight put on that, especially for younger generations. So good to come see this show. [00:07:13] Speaker B: I know. Especially seeing like, people of color. Because, like, when I. When I get to, like, go watch, like, a musical on stage, like, I knew I get to light up every time I see, like, a person of color, like, leading the show in a way. So the fact that I could possibly be that for somebody else, it's just. It's still mind blowing to me. So I'm just very grateful. [00:07:40] Speaker A: I was gonna say you're gonna be the moment for a lot of kids who have, like, get to see themselves for the first time represented somewhere. And that's. While you may never get to meet them in the world, like, to. Being able to have that moment of being like, wow, this is. This is me. This is me on stage, and I get to have that. So what do you think makes Mean Girls so unique? Or how is it unique to you? Like. Cause this is such an iconic story. And I keep saying iconic because it truly, to me, feels iconic. I grew up with this film, you know, so. [00:08:12] Speaker B: Yeah. One thing I love about the show is its message behind it, and it's something that I even struggle with. Like, when I was, like, younger, even though I'm only 19, but, like, during, like, middle school years, I would try to pretend to be something that I'm just truly not. I would try to fit into a mold. And I think the show shows that, like, one of my favorite songs is I'd Rather Be Me, which is sung by Janice. And it's just a. It's a true anthem of, like, I don't need to be, like, a figure for you. I don't need to act to please you. I need to be myself and my. Because myself is enough. And I think that's a very important message. Young, old, you know, middle age that everybody can connect with. So just being able to share that message out, it's just very heartwarming. [00:09:07] Speaker A: I love that. And that totally was my next question, too. What themes of the show resonate with you the most? And that sounds like that's kind of what it is. [00:09:14] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:09:16] Speaker A: Are there any other themes that also stand out to you that, like, as an actor, you're just like, oh, this is what I resonate with. This is what kind of pulls me into the story. [00:09:24] Speaker B: Yeah, this whole eight. Because, like, I feel like social media is, like, taking over, like, everyone's life. And, like, it's like. And, like, one thing I like about Stop is, like, a song that I sing in the second act is it's talking about how because Katie Heron, she's come to this life, she's come to this new school. She's doing this whole age of social media now, and she's, like, being drawn and attached to it, and she's letting it change her perspective on life, and she's letting it change, like, who she's close with. And, like, she's trying to be popular now, but it's like, whoa. Like, stop. Take a second back. Like, look who's around you. Look who's really caring about you. Like, those comments, they're just comments at the end of the day, you know what I'm saying? Like, we're. Me and Janice. We're here to, like, help, like, protect you. Like, build you up. And it's kind of like. Well, you're, like, kind of throwing us to the side a little bit, but we. That's what, like, last. That's why I said with, like, I'd rather be me. Like, that's such, like, a powerful song, like a big anthem. I just love hearing Alexis sing it every night. She's like. Her voice is just so good. [00:10:33] Speaker A: How do you feel? Like, Mean Girls has challenged you as an actor. [00:10:37] Speaker B: Ooh. There's a lot of comedy in it. And I like comedy, but, like, it's, like, a different style. Cause Tina Fey is, like, an amazing writer, and one day I hope I get to meet her, but she's like. She's just gold. And her style of comedy is so specific. And working with our tour director, she get a lot of notes that I have to go back and study on and really make sure that I'm hitting these notes, because it's very quick and it's very easy to go past the joke, but just have to live in the moment of it and let it come out naturally. I've noticed that that gets the best response with our audiences. [00:11:20] Speaker A: I love that. So you just kind of have to perform and let it be. Like, be the character and let it sink in with the people with the comedy. [00:11:27] Speaker B: You have to connect. I like to connect as much as possible. Yeah. [00:11:31] Speaker A: For you as an actor, I mean, slightly off of Mean Girls, but is drama or comedy more difficult? Do you feel like, for you to approach a character? [00:11:40] Speaker B: I say comedy. [00:11:41] Speaker A: Okay. [00:11:42] Speaker B: I would say comedy for me, because it's very easy to get wrong. It's very easy to get both wrong. But, like, I think it's something on stage when, like, you're, like, you're actively telling a joke and then nobody's laughing. It's like, whoa, I thought that was funny. But then, like. Like, maybe, like 100 people is, like, that wasn't Funny. So it can provide a lot of like, insecurities in you that like, I, like, I've seen like when I first, like, was starting out, but I keep like, trying to, like, work on my. I'm never like, just like set on the show. I'm still trying to, like, work on my craft. Like, how can I make my show better? How can I, you know, do this better? And I just, you know. Yeah. [00:12:26] Speaker A: Do you feel like it ever, like, as an actor, like, in the role of Damien, does it ever stop? Like, do you ever stop trying to like, tweak or change or like, is there ever a moment that you feel like, that felt good. I can, I can stick with that. Or do you feel like you're always kind of like fine tuning those pieces of the character? [00:12:42] Speaker B: I think it's hard to just stay like in one mold throughout the whole entire. Because this is like a year long experience that I'm gonna have and it's hard to just stay in, like one thing. So, like, when I'm on stage, I'll go like, yes, there's blocking. Yes. There's certain dance moves that I have to go off of. But like, I think it's very important to like, lean on your instincts. That doesn't go like too far out of like, what is supposed to be done. If that makes sense. Okay. [00:13:11] Speaker A: No, that totally makes sense. With you being on the road, you know, constantly going from city to city, you're performing multiple shows sometimes in a day. How do you prioritize your mental health while you're. While you're on this journey? [00:13:25] Speaker B: Yes, I think it's important to sometimes know when to say no. So, like, if someone's going out, like after the show. No, I need to sleep. Or like, if someone's like going out to like, before the show and like they're going to like an amusement park or something, it's okay to be like, no, I think I'm just going to stay in today. But also know that you don't want to stay in all the time, like, get some sunshine, get some light. Also, like, I'm still talking to my mom all the time, talking to my dad, my sister, like all of my family and like just checking in on them. Then we also have like a very good team. Like our company management team is like always checking in on us, asking if we're okay, like, do we need anything? So, like, here at Mean Girls, like, we're really like one big family. So it's hard to like feel like. It's hard to feel like, because, like, you're alone sometimes. But I think they are really good at, like, checking in and, like, asking you, like, how are you doing? What can we do to help? And they're really. They really are helpful, and I'm appreciative for them. [00:14:31] Speaker A: I love that. It sounds like you're a really big family over there. [00:14:34] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:14:36] Speaker A: Are there any specific things you look for or, like, rituals you have when visiting different cities on tour? [00:14:42] Speaker B: Ooh, I love finding, like, good food spots. One thing about it is I like to eat, and I'm not ashamed of that. I love a good meal and hope, like, stuff like, in walking distance around the theater. Like, I tried this, like, Lebanese spot in Ohio. Really good. I'm excited to enjoy and, like, see what's out there, you know, maybe get a pizza or something. [00:15:10] Speaker A: There are tons of great places right around the Fisher Theater, so you cannot go wrong. [00:15:14] Speaker B: Yes. Excited. [00:15:18] Speaker A: What are you hoping audiences take away from Mean Girls, the musical? [00:15:23] Speaker B: I think, you know, what I said earlier about being yourself and staying true to yourself and how that really is the best option for you, because if you're putting on a mold to appease, like, the next person, it's just gonna. It's gonna hurt you, like, mentally, physically, emotionally. So, yeah, just being yourself and kindness gets. You can get you really far. So, yeah, I love that. [00:15:52] Speaker A: Well, thank you so much, Josh, for speaking with us today. Mean Girls is gonna be at the Fisher Theater November 19th through the 24th, so people can get their tickets on Broadway in Detroit's website. Again, thank you so much for being here. I really appre it. [00:16:04] Speaker B: Thanks so much for having me, Brian.