Being Hunter: JR Bruno talks [show]

It might have closed on Broadway earlier this season, but this weekend "[title of show]" returns triumphantly to life with the first regional version of the production at Playhouse Square's 14^th Street Theater in Cleveland.

Simply put, "[title of show]" tells its own story. The songs are all self-referential and, in the Broadway version, "[show]" creators Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen portrayed themselves taking the journey of bringing the show to the Great White Way. Before getting to Broadway, Bell and Bowen produced and starred in the popular "[title of show] Show" on Youtube, made a cast recording and performed it Off-Broadway. The show's comedic tone and inspiring message was awarded with a rabidly loyal fan base that has kept it alive long after its Broadway marquee has dimmed.

Baldwin Wallace College acting senior JR Bruno will be portraying Bell's character in this regional production of the show and must slip into the shoes of a character who has only been played by an actor who was literally playing himself. Bruno spoke with BroadwayWorld about his love for [show] and how's he the same (and different) than Bell.

How familiar were you with "[title of show]"?

Baldwin Wallace College actually sent the whole class to go see the show on Broadway. This was in an effort to get them to choose us to do the show (regionally). We were big fans of their "[title of show] Show" on Youtube and put out our own "[title of show] Show Show" in effort to get the rights to the regional.

They saw it and told us that it was why they picked Baldwin Wallace. That, and we were the only ones who took the time to ask.

Why does the show appeal to you?

Not only does it speak about trying to make it in show business, but it speaks of trying to live the dreams you had as a child.

Everyone in show business, all directors and choreographers and actors, have those memories. And everyone wants to give something that comes from them. That makes the show something really fantastic for people who aren't Hunter or Jeff or Heidi or Susan.

What are your favorite songs?

For me and for the other castmates, "A Way Back to Then" is such a beautiful song. We all have to fight onstage not to cry while its being sung.

The final moment in the show is, I think, one of the most brilliant endings in a musical ever. We all stand onstage and sing that it is the end of the show as we watch the show going away from us.

When you saw the show on Broadway did you get the opportunity to go backstage or meet the cast?

They invited students backstage and they all got Baldwin Wallace t-shirts.

Hunter and Jeff have been out to visit us while we worked on staging the show.

Was that nerve-wracking?

The first run of the show for Hunter and Jeff was terrible! We were all a mess because it was so surreal to be having a conversation that they had actually had in real life.

Why was Hunter the right role for you?

They all have their specific things to accomplish in the show, and Hunter is this optimistic dreamer who dreams bigger than anything. I guess I do that. (laughs)

What advice did the reAl Hunter give you?

He made sure that I knew that Hunter really is the train that drives the show. Of course he said that, he's Hunter! He wrote the show! (laughs)

But he is the guy that keeps all the dreams constantly flowing while Jeff keeps having to bring him back down to reality. He's constantly making the show happen and creating new ideas.

How difficult is it for you as an actor playing a version of a real person who was played by the real person? Wow, yeah, that makes sense. Especially considering this is the first time it is playing outside of Broadway.

It's been fun to try and balance what I need to bring from myself to the show and how much I needed to study him.

When they came, we went out to dinner. Literally, we sat there and watched them and it was like watching the show. I tried to absorb as much as possible. And our director staged much of the show based on things she saw them do. So we honor their physicality and their humor, but we are trying as much as we can, without changing the show, to make it our experience as well.

Tell us a little bit about rehearsals.

We have been plugging at this for quite awhile now. We got our scripts and we were all memorized before we went in. The process is so fantastic. The show is staged but we are still changing things up and keeping each other's attention. Right now the show feels like a really real experience.

Are Hunter and Jeff going to be there opening night?

We actually invited the whole cast (and Larry and Michael) and at some point they are all coming to see the show. The only one we haven't already had contact with is Heidi, but she is a little busy.

What is next for you once "[title of show]" is over?

I am moving to New York right after the show is over. We got our agents and are going to start auditioning for the big time.

Why do you think "[title of show]" remains so well-loved?

People underestimate how fantastically the show was written. It's not just two guys goofing off and writing a show about themselves. It has been through so many rewrites, all of which are in the show. And now all that is left is this big arc where nothing is extraneous. It's a great book musical that no one notices because it started off in such a different way. And I love it.

Tickets are still on sale for "[title of show]" are still available online at www.playhousesquare.com. Performances begin Friday at 7:30. Check back Saturday morning for BroadwayWorld's review of "[show]"