Queer Casting Confusion? 'Waiting in the Wings: the Musical' Cast Talk About Off-Bway Premiere

Stage musicals based on acclaimed films are more than plentiful lately, especially on Broadway, but it's less common to find a small indie movie (and its sequel) bowing Off-Broadway. That's the case with "Waiting in the Wings: The Musical," created by Jeffrey A. Johns and currently playing at Theatre St. Clements.

The project began life as a sweet 2014 film that featured Johns, along with such stars as Shirley Jones, Sally Struthers, Christopher Atkins, and Lee Meriwhether. That movie begat a sequel, "Still Waiting in the Wings," which boasted celeb turns by Edward Asner, Cindy Williams, and Chita Rivera.

Johns' stage adaptation world premiered at the Rose Center Theater in California in 2020.

The plot centers on two entertainers with virtually the same name, who, thanks to an office mishap, are sent to the wrong casting calls. Tony, a stripper from NYC, is cast in an off-Broadway musical, while Anthony, a naive Montana bumpkin, must now learn to strip for his supper.

Johns has played Anthony in all incarnations, including the current theatrical run.

EDGE recently asked four of the cast members (including Johns) about their work on the project. They include porn superstar Max Konnor, who plays several roles; Nathan Hoty (also Dance Captain), stealing every scene as the dancer crushing on Anthony; and an impressive replacement actor, Cooper Fitch, making his mark in his OB debut.

Jeffrey A. Johns

EDGE: Jeffrey, this project has quite an interesting history, starting out as a film and a sequel. And now it's a stage musical. Can you tell me a bit about getting the film made?

Jeffrey A. Johns: Making the initial film took a long time. It took a while to write the script, bring on songwriters, multiple readings of the script for adjustments, and just figuring out how to pull off making a full-scale movie musical on an independent film budget. I think it took about four or five years from concept to final production.

EDGE: The film and sequel include several big names. Tell me about casting the movies, and how you got so many stars to appear.

Jeffrey A. Johns: I just beg and plead with people to do my films! LOL. Seriously, I only approach celebrities I truly admire, and I write roles that would really highlight them. I think one of my biggest challenges was getting Chita Rivera in the film. I think it took seven tries to lock her in... In fact, the movies were made in California, but had to completely crew up in NYC, and I even had to direct the scene with Chita, as I was the only one from the Los Angeles production team able to make it to NYC. It was a bit stressful, but Chita was a joy to work with.

EDGE: When did you decide you wanted to adapt it for the stage, and how did that come about?

Jeffrey A. Johns: I was touring on the film festival circuit with "Waiting in The Wings," and people kept telling me I needed to adapt it [for] the stage. It wasn't a top priority, but then my house burned to the ground, and didn't have rental insurance. I didn't want to dwell on the negative, but also knew, financially, creating more films was off the table for a bit. I knew I could write a stage show and maybe a theatre company would pick it up to produce. The week after the fire, I started writing and revisiting the characters from the original film and bring[ing] new life to them with the stage adaptation. It was great to start pushing myself forward with something positive.

EDGE: There's an infectious love for musical theater inherent in the show. Can you speak a bit about your obvious adoration for the art form?

Jeffrey A. Johns: I have been a theatre geek since I was a kid. It brought me such joy, and an outlet for expression. I think theatre was the only place I could go and be accepted when I was a teenager. Not to mention, I love the heightened reality of musicals. I mean, wouldn't it be great if we could just tap our troubles away in life, and break into song to solve our everyday problems?

EDGE: It's nice to see queer-positive characters onstage. What are your thoughts on casting queer actors in queer roles?

Jeffrey A. Johns: Honestly, I have no idea of people's sexual orientation at an audition. I often cast gay actors in straight roles and straight actors in gay roles. It's who can make the characters come to life and make them believable. However, I do think it is important to see queer-positive characters on stage and on film. I was told in the early stages of writing the film that if I took out the gay characters – especially in the lead roles – the show would market better. While that may have been true, that wasn't the story I wanted to tell. I think queer-positive characters need representation, and as a writer I think I have a responsibility to do that.

Max Konnor

EDGE: Max, how did this project come your way?

Max Konnor: Jeffrey Johns, the creator of the movie and musical, contacted my agent and asked if I was interested. He'd seen me perform before or heard me sing. I thought it was the perfect time to make a return to the stage.

EDGE: As a celebrated adult film star, has it been easy to transition to stage and TV work?

Max Konnor: When I decided to do porn, I thought my acting days were over. I'm so happy that's not the case. Coming back to my first love has been an amazing experience.

EDGE: Are you on hiatus from adult films? Your many fans want to know.

Max Konnor: I am taking a break for the duration of the show run, but once we do our final performance I'll be back to the grind. Don't worry, you still have to deal with me for a while.

EDGE: What is your favorite moment or musical number in the show?

Max Konnor: I love the finale. It's our message to the audience. This world is so big, and can make you feel so small. You may feel like you're waiting in the wings of life, but just hold out. Your center stage moment is coming, and you will "shine like the top of the Chrysler building." The world is a stage.

Nathan Hoty

EDGE: Nathan, tell me about your theatre background and when you knew you wanted to be a performer.

Nathan Hoty: When I was 10 years old my grandma called my mom one night to tell her about an audition for a small little play at a community theatre near my house. I was very confused why she thought I would want to be in a play, but I'd also do anything for my grandma. So, I auditioned and played the smallest role you could ever imagine. However, at the end of that show, I just knew. I quit every sport and enrolled in dance classes, and never once looked back. I just knew deep down that was it.

EDGE: How did this show come your way?

Nathan Hoty: I am constantly searching the casting websites for new opportunities of gigs, and one day I saw this come across. I have a semi-decent following on TikTok [@nathanhoty], and one of the more popular series on my page is a series of Magic Mike audition tapes of me stripping. So, when I saw this opportunity, I sent Jeffrey over my TikTok before callbacks to just show I know what I am doing.

EDGE: "Waiting" boasts several queer-positive characters. Was that an important factor in wanting to do the show?

Nathan Hoty: To me, this is very important. I am a non-binary artist and demisexual, and there are not that many shows out there in this world where you get to play yourself on the stage. However, this one I get to be exactly me! Although the role of Lee has tons of anxiety and I play that up in the show, I have never felt more comfortable on a stage... I get to go to work and just show myself (not just from the stripping part) to an audience. The feedback I get from the applause after my number or the tons of messages I have been getting afterwards thanking me for showing it's okay to be yourself... it's amazing and heartwarming.

Cooper Fitch

EDGE: Cooper, tell me about how you were cast in the show.

Cooper Fitch: I had worked with Jeffrey on another show, so when the casting notice came out, I knew I had to submit. We had a few rounds of reading and dance calls since the show has such a wide range of styles represented – where else would you go from grinding to Broadway tap? I was brought into the show as an immediate replacement after opening, since one of the ensemble tracks had opened up.

EDGE: Is acting something you always wanted to do?

Cooper Fitch: Absolutely! I went to a performing arts high school back in Kentucky, so the arts have always been with me. Acting was always a way of stepping out of my real world and viewing life through someone else's shoes.

EDGE: You're fairly new to NYC. Have you gotten comfortable here, and are you here to stay?

Cooper Fitch: I absolutely love living in NYC! I was lucky enough to have so many friends here before my move, both through social media and through past contracts, that I never felt alone. The theatre and queer communities in the city are so small – and have such crossover – that it's impossible to go anywhere and not see someone that I either know or have a close connection to. I am definitely here to stay for the long haul.

EDGE: What is your favorite moment or musical number in the show?

Cooper Fitch: So, there are two for me. I absolutely love performing "Bases Loaded," which is our baseball-themed strip number – plus, who's gonna complain about five hotties dancing in their jocks? And then the finale, "Waiting in the Wings," is just the perfect culmination to a campy show like ours, both sincere with Lee's material and then high energy for the whole ensemble.

Interviews have been edited for content.

"Waiting in the Wings: The Musical" runs through June 4, 2023.

For Tickets and/or more info follow this link.