good kids

Embracing the spotlight

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY Rich Breault

Although 13-year-old Joseph Johnson only had a short solo in “A Tribute to Hairspray” production at the Palmdale Fall Festival in mid-October, he stole the song’s spotlight.

In the first casting of the production Joseph was Seaweed, the main soloist in the number “Run and Tell That.” However, since Seaweed also was a romantic lead, and Joseph’s young age proved too much to overcome in the matching with a mature Penny, he was given another role in the production, that of Seaweed’s brother, Little Joe.

In the “Hairspray” Broadway play and films, there is no Little Joe. Rather, it’s Seaweed’s sister, Little Inez.

“When we moved Joseph to a new role,” said Annie Pagliaro, who headed the production for the Palmdale Parks and Recreation Department, “he was upset. But we had to do what was best for the show.

“Joseph has plenty or talent and enthusiasm, but we needed a more mature Seaweed. It was hard on him, but he rose to the challenge in his new role.”

”I was disappointed at first, but I understood why it was done,” said Joseph, an eighth-grade student at Desert Willow Intermediate School. “So I put all that I had, everything, into Little Joe.”

“He definitely loves to sing and perform,” Pagliaro said. “He relishes the stage and embraces the spotlight. He sings from his heart.”

Although it was Joseph’s first big production, the audience couldn’t tell.

“I was a little scared, but I got over it. “Hairspray” is one of my favorite movies. I think I was more excited than nervous,” Joseph said.

Joseph’s dad, Rodney Johnson, also was in the show; one of several adults singing background vocals.

“Joseph sings for the youth praise team at (Winner’s Circle Christian Center) and I also sing there,” said Rodney Johnson. “Lisa Pittmon (another cast member) knew of our singing and thought we’d be good for “Hairspray.”

“(Joseph) was excited about being in the show, but was disappointed when his role changed. Seaweed is a more dynamic part, but someone who’s older. His mother (Jodi Johnson) and I taught Joseph you have to take bad with the good.

“He did, and he made the most of it.”

Joseph said he sang in a school talent show a couple of years ago, performing a song from “Dream Girls.” An A student, Joseph wants to go to college and become an entertainer.

“I’d like to do both Broadway and televisions, but if I had to choose one, it would be Broadway,” Joseph said.

His favorite Broadway shows are “Legally Blonde,” “Hairspray” and “Wicked.”

He said he wants to do more shows locally—“Now that I’ve done one, I want to do lots and lots more,” Joseph said.

While his dad is a tenor baritone, Joseph sings first or second tenor parts. But he knows his voice will change.

“I don’t want it to change, but I know it’s going to,” he said. “I like my voice as it is, but if it changes, I’ll be OK with it.”

He’ll probably “tough out” any voice change, just as he did the Los Angeles Marathon, which he ran when he was 11.

Although Joseph is athletic, he doesn’t plan to play sports in high school. His older brothers, Marcus and Samuel, are basketball players.

“I like singing more than sports,” he said.

He plays the occasional video game, and he likes to crochet. Favorite food—Chinese. His combo plate would include beef and broccoli, barbecue ribs and chow mein.

And chocolate cake for dessert.

“He lives for bubble gum,” interjected his mother.

His favorite activity is rehearsing for a show.

When and where does he like to sing the most?

“When I’m happy and outside. They sort of go together,” Joseph chimed in.

“He sings just about anywhere and everywhere,” Jodi Johnson said. “When he was younger, he’d watch videos of Disney musicals. He stand in front of the TV and sing. His father and I have always encouraged his singing.

“A few weeks ago he was singing as we walked through (a store) and a lady came up and asked him to sing the song again. She just liked it so much.

“His teachers would tell me that he sings in school, in class,” Jodi continued. “That was a bit awkward to tell him not to sing there because we want him to sing no matter where he is.”

Undoubtedly, Joseph will be heard in more shows—he just auditioned for the ensemble in a production of “Cinderella” at the Palmdale Playhouse.

Looking back at his first show, at the Fall festival, Joseph was a bit melancholy.

“It’s kind of sad that it’s over because I miss everybody,” he said. “But I’m happy because it ends on a high note, and I’m happy for the experience.

“There was a good feeling in doing the show, and I want that feeling again.”