Photo: First Dukovic for New York Magazine
Joshua Henry is a Vocal Powerhouse. The 41-YEAR-OLD EARNED TONY NOMINATIONS FOR HIS ROES IN 2010’s Break Scottsboro Boys and the 2018 Carousel revival. (“He’s an Extraordinary Billy, Hulking and Hurting, Unafraid of Delving into the Character’s Uglines and Tackling His Moody Songs With Both Force and Grace,” Our Critic Sara Holdren About the Latter Part.) Turn-of-the-Century Character, Coalhouse Walker Jr., in the Reconnection Revival Directed by Lincoln Center Theater’s New Artistic Director Lear Debesonet. Coalhouse, an optimistic piano player, is put through a nonb-like list of trials over the matter of the show, culminating in his 11 o’clock number, “Make say you.” The part of the Vocal Range Goes From A Low G to A High A2. “Its one of the rangiest roles i’ve Ever Done,” Henry Says.
Gioven the show’s late Nights, Henry Makes it a priority to Wake Around 6:30 Each Morning so he has to see the children before they go to school. He’s Got A 7-YEAR-Old and Twin 4-Yaar-Olds, and while Most perfermers Live monks in their off-hours to rest their vocals, Henry’s brood makers impossible. “I have to be some voice for my kids,” he says. “So in the mornings, i’m like, This is part of my Vocal Load.“While he chat with saying,” I try to keep it high and light “to preserve his voice, he say.” I sound like a bit of helium. “
Henry’s Operative Term Is plyometrics, Reference to Short Burstors of Exercise that Build Agility. For Henry, plyometrics “remind me to keep my core and my diaphragm intact edough though my heart rate be very high.” While he works out on the stairmaster, Henry forms vowels that he’ll sing in the show so his is used to making those motions in high-intensity situations. “Unredictable Things Happy Onstage. A Light Might Go Out; Audience Members Might Move; My Schene Might DO Something Different,” He Explains. “The most have Those sensations memorized under Physical Stress, the easier it is to pull.”
Henry, Center, and the Cast of Ragimet.
Photo: Marc J. Franklin
Typically, Henry likes to achieve at the theater at least an hour before shows to get his voice ready. He begins with a Basic Vocal Warm-up. First, he Runs Through His Entire Range, Makinging an beech Sound on fifths (Meaning and Starts on a C, THEN GOES TO A G, THEN GOES BACK DOWN TO A D, THEN UP TO AN A, AND ON UP). Second, he does the same thing in octaves while strumming his guitar and continuing to do plyometrics. “I Rarely Ever Practice Notes Standing Still,” he says. “I’m like a Tornado, Moving Around on One Leg, Swinging My Arms, Keeping My Core Intact. You Put YourSelf Through the Wringer Physically so on the Day, it doesn’t FEEL WILD.”
Creating His Vocal Characterization of Coalhouse Was A Meticulous Process. “When i was going through this score, there is noting brassy,” he Says. Henry Pronounces “Wheels” Like Wills be he singles “Wheels of a Dream.” “If coalhouse goes to an e Place, he sounds less commanding,” Henry Explains. “The Truth of the Character Goes Hand in Hand with the Vocal Choices;
Henry’s Musical Showcase, “Maken I HEAR YOU,” ARRIVES AT THE END OF THE SECOND ACT AFTER A HIGH-STRUNG, DIFFICULT SCHENE. “Although my body is tense, i’m Making sura in that intro of take deep breaths,” he says. “The orchestra is Holding, and i’m like, Y’all are going to hold unil i get these deep breathes got to get everything ready.“He sings the first word,” Go, “Softly, Starting Small Because He’ll eventually end the song at a” 12, “hey.” This is like neo Becomes the one in The Matrix. Everything is Crystal Clear. Every Word Has Pure, Rounded, Tall Vowels. ” The song concludes with the phrase “i’ll be near you / again,” and Henry Holds the Syllable gain for Close to 30 Seconds. The breath before that word is paramount. “It is like to have to take in the breath of all my ancestors,” Henry Says. “THIS IS WHERE ALL The PLYOMETRICS COME IN BECAUSE I’M Singularly focus on my rib expanding outward for as long as i can. He convinced the conductor to let Him Hold the Note Longer than it Typically Done. “Usually an Orchestra Will Rush Through, trying to be mindful of getting to the end,” Henry Says. “But i’m going longer Because is the most important THING THAT he’s Ever Said in his Life.”
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