Broadway Book Chat: Joey Simon

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

Joey Simon

Currently performing in Anything Goes at Westchester Broadway Theatre!

instagram: @joey.a.simon

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What are you currently reading?

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren.  It’s different from what I usually read, which is fantasy, but it’s always refreshing to read a book with a love story that could have actually been about me.

What is your favorite book series?

Such a tough and loaded question.  I consider Harry Potter to be in a category all its own, so outside of that I would have to say Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series.  It’s rare to find fantasy books outside of the original high fantasy archetypes that are written so well and meant for adults.  It is also such a huge part of Stephen King’s life, and is so unbelievably developed and planned.  Honorable Mention: Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles.

Who is your favorite author?

I don’t really have one.  I don’t really follow authors, and the author doesn’t affect my interest in a book.

What book inspires you and why?

Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles, as weird as that sounds.  Maybe it’s where I am at this moment in my life, but they inspire me to seek out things that I would normally take for granted.  They definitely make me want to travel more, love harder, and take risks.  Also being a vampire would be fun.

Which literary character would you like to play?

Vincent from The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman.  First off, I want to be a witch, and secondly, I love how complex he is and that he has a darkness inside of his goodness.  I also found that I really related to his character and his struggle to accept his sexuality.

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

The nun I played in Spamalot.  She was wild, your honor.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

I want Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake to be a movie, I want Carry On by Rainbow Rowell to be a musical, and The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman to be a play.

What is the next book on your reading list?

Probably The Great Hunt from the epic Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.  I just ordered it on Thriftbooks, a long with a bunch of others, and I am so excited to get back to that world.

What show are you currently in who did you play?

I am in Anything Goes at Westchester Broadway Theatre and I am in the ensemble, where I mostly am a tap dancing sailor.  Gay boy dreams come true.

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

Probably Spamalot at Arkansas Repertory Theatre.  I grew up watching Monty Python, and it was an absolute riot to jump into that world and make audiences laugh every night.  Also everyone in the cast was incredible, and just such wonderful people.

Check out Joey and the rest of the cast of Anything Goes at Westchester Broadway Theatre!

I feature a new performer every month! I would love some suggestions for questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know!  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! Thanks to my amazing roommate Joey (who I talk about all the time in my posts) for sharing with us! ❤