No New Kid on the Block: It's Joey MacIntyre

The Crimson recently caught up with singer/actor Joey McIntyre, more infamously known as a former member of the original boy band New Kids on the Block. The now 23 year old Boston native has returned to his hometown to promote his newest film, The Fantasticks, will be released in selected cities on September 22.

The Harvard Crimson: What attracted you to the role of Matt in The Fantasticks in the first place? Had you seen the role performed off-Broadway?

Joey McIntyre: I didn't. Although at first it might seem like this pop guy is trying to do a traditional musical, I've always been onstage since I was a young kid; I'd done Oliver and The Music Man--never Fantasticks though. At the time, I was studying in New York and taking classes and there was just this audition. Three, four callbacks later, I sang for the director [Michael Ritchie] and he kind of asked me to do it, which was cool. I think it was just a natural fit because I was accustomed to this kind of classical love story musical.

THC: Did you feel any pressure coming from such a long line of predecessors in your role?

JM: Maybe if I had done it before or known the history, but I didn't feel too much pressure. I mean the musical is about a boy becoming a man--he's very vulnerable, makes a lot of mistakes and would do anything to win the girl--it's hard to screw that up. It's a role every guy goes through and can identify with. I also think girls are just smarter, no matter how old they are. Especially at that age, they're just thinking about things more and complicating things a little more. With guys it's simple: I want to make it big, I want to go out into the big world. They want the quick hit, easy and overnight. But girls want something long-lasting.

THC: The studio has been very reluctant to release this film; they've actually pushed its release date back five years. Looking back, how do you feel about your performance?

JM: Yeah, it's been a while. I tend not to beat myself up too much about anything, but certainly again it comes back to the fact that Matt's this kid making mistakes, and you can get away with it. I did what I had to do. There's a couple times where I wish I were more patient here and there, and that just comes with having the confidence to do that. I think I was able to pull it off because Matt was that kind of person.

THC: Could you play this role now?

JM: I'd have to act it more. I was a lot more innocent back then, and kind of wide-eyed. I think Michael Ritchie saw that and cast me. When he realized I could sing, that put it over the top. Thinking back, I was that way. Now I'm a little more cynical.

THC: What was it like singing live on the set, instead of using the traditional method of lip-synching and dubbing typically used in movie musicals?

JM: Yeah, we had little miracle ears letting you hear the play-back. That was huge, because it made the transition from dialogue to music a lot easier, and that's one of the biggest things because you can't just break into song. In the last scene on the road after I get beat up, it was very quiet and sensitive, and it just started with voice. It really added to the intimacy of the piece. That was pretty cool - they didn't have that back in the day. For the singing, there was just a lot of trust, especially between Louisa and me. We had a nice chemistry going. I think.

THC: Since the musical been around so long, why should people see the movie?

JM: Me! No, I think the people who have seen the film are curious enough and won't be disappointed. I think it's a film for people who haven't been jaded by MTV and blockbusters and can see it for what it is, as a simple story. Nowadays with the dating scene, there's so much pressure to be independent, cool, and not give in to love; we're very sort of self centered and career minded, and sometimes I think it's good to get back to the basics and the romanticism of boy meets girl. I think it would be a romantic thing to do for a guy to do to bring a girl to this movie and if she thinks he's a schmuck for doing it, then it's her loss. I never know - I never have much expectations for art. I'm happy that the movie came out of a show that's forty years old; it's a classic story but the writers tell it in such a beautiful and sensitive way. I think it deserves to be out in the theaters and released that way.

THC: So what about bringing the film to Boston - what's the hometown reception been like?

JM: It's funny, because it is your hometown so you're kind of sensitive. Any other time, it's like, whatever. But when I come home, I do the inside track, the radio shows, which can be tough too because it has a personal vibe. I don't have a lot of expectations; I just think about the work and personal expectations. If it does well, it does well, and if it comes out on video, I think a lot of people are going to go out and find it. A lot of the time we look at the bottom line, and that's not what this is about. I'm pretty over that thing.

THC: You recently reached out into directing; do you plan on helming any more projects in the near future?

JM: The only thing I directed was my last video. The stuff I do, like my music, it's important for me to be hands on. It's also important for me to write my own stuff - or at least co-write. My music is very personal to me; I'm not going to do the job if I can't do it. If I feel like I have something offer, then I will do it. I'm going to succeed and fail on my own. I guess that's what keeps me staying with music as opposed to acting, because it's just more hands on for me and the rewards come faster. I love to act too but I want to dedicate more time to it if I'm really going to do it and time hasn't really happened for me.

THC: So what are you working on now?

JM: I'm in the studio now. I'm actually spending a lot of time in New York and I'm finishing up five songs and hopefully I'll have another record out in the spring. It feels good - I realize it's a process. But I think that when you really love and enjoy something - there's not finish line. You just want to learn and get better. I'm in a pretty good place right now. It's just good to be active.

THC: My roommate loves the song "I Love You Came Too Late." Who came up with the concept of the video?

JM: The video was big and it was fun. You never know how an idea is going to translate to video but a lot of people loved it, and I tried to do my best. I mean, here I was, dancing in a diner. It was kind of funny but I decided to play it dead serious. It was cool when people started calling in. However, my videos might be a little more serious this time around - I don't think I'll be dancing on any more counters. Overall, MTV was the biggest surprise for me- they were so welcome. Thank god for TRL.