JOEY MCINTYRE

FROM NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK TO DRAG: THE MUSICAL

The glorious, glamorous and dazzling DRAG: The Musical has invaded New York for its off-Broadway run at New World Stages with its official opening night on October 21. The musical will feature the New Kids On The Block superstar Joey McIntyre, who will perform through December 9th. 

DRAG: The Musical follows two rival drag bars that go head to head as they vie for supremacy in a wig snatching frenzy of fashion, family and forgiveness. The theme was conceived by Drag Race’s Alaska Thunderfuck, Ashley Gordon, Tomas Constanza and Spencer Liff and produced by a barrage of people including Tristan Schukraft and Liza Minnelli. The show is called “an instant cult classic with an original story that speaks to all generations.”

Joey McIntyre portrays Tom Hutchinson, a straight-laced accountant who is called to help his drag queen brother, Alexis Gillmore, save his beloved drag club from financial ruin. Tom attempts a romance with Dixie Coxworth, an AFAB (assigned female at birth), but is rejected by her because he is too straight. He will debut the song “Straight Man” in the New York performances, which captures the essence of the music of icons like Weezer and Green Day. 

Joey is most recognized as the youngest member of the iconic boy band New Kids On The Block, which went on to become in 1991 the highest paid band, beating Madonna and Michael Jackson. When the band split, Joey pursued a solo career, at which point he made his film debut in The Fantasticks starring Joel Grey. He continued to write and record music and eventually found himself on the Sony music label. In April 2008, the New Kids on the Block reunited and toured with the Backstreet Boys.

His acting career also continued in both film and stage. He starred in the film Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding and played a leading role in the Broadway musical Wicked. Other movie credits included The Heat, Twilight’s Child, Midnight Whispers, Dawn and a parade of others. His theater engagements include Happy Days, Babes in Arms, Cabaret, Waitress, and more. He has appeared on television in Dancing With the Stars, Fuller House, Harvey Girls Forever, TMI Hollywood, The McCarthys, The Hot Wives of Orlando and a marathon of others.

Aside from all of that, Joey was blessed with a great and humble music and acting sensibility. We had an incredible conversation about his careers….and his new record release coming out January 24, 2025….

INTERVIEW

I saw your current cover boy on the magazine. I can’t get into that shape by tomorrow.

We will photoshop you, LOL

Okay, can you use Nick Adams’ body and put my face on top of it?

I can, LOL.

We can just be honest about it. We don’t even have to lie.

I think you’ll do fine. Don’t worry. Hey, listen, anyone that can do a play called DRAG: The Musical belongs on the cover.

And I get to be the straight man. It’s like the best of both worlds. I don’t have to put on all the makeup.

Well then here’s my question. How much do you identify with Tom? Or do you even identify with Tom?

Well, it’s an interesting topic. First of all, the show is here for a good time and to entertain. The music is amazing. You really have some of the best drag queens in the world. People are surprised when they come and they find out that this isn’t just a drag show. It has a real story. And a real journey. I play this guy who they say has a stick up his ass, Tom. But he’s a dad to this kid. Here’s a boy who is 10 years old and he likes to play dress up. I think Tom doesn’t really know what to do with him. Which adds to the conflict. His ulterior motive is coming and helping his brother save this drag club. They have issues and they haven’t talked for a while, but what I love about Tom is, it’s gray. The world is not black and white. What is important to me is to reflect that on stage. You can’t water down these characters because that’s not what real life is. When we portray the truth and the honesty of this world, I think it brings out a lot of emotion. It brings out a lot of trauma for a great deal of the audience, but also for people, let’s say for instance heterosexual men who don’t live in this world…to come and see a character that they can identify with. And yes, certainly, Tom comes around, so to speak, but as I’ve said before, being uncomfortable doesn’t mean you’re homophobic. I think we all have that standard cliche that he has to be likable, but that’s no fun and that’s not why we’re here. We are here to portray real complicated characters. That’s why I’m here. Because the character does say some stuff that isn’t so attractive and palatable for this kind of an audience.

Preparing for this must have been kind of a lot of fun besides the hard work that goes into it. What was the most fun for you?

The fun for me being a theater kid and growing up in the theater…. it’s fun for me to originate roles. I’ve done that a couple of times. I was involved in another show that almost had a chance at Broadway and still might have it, but I’m getting to do that more and more. To originate this role is really the fun. It’s not always fun because you’re advocating for what you think is best for the role and you’re arguing often with the people who created the role. Which is kind of funny because you start to have ownership of this role and you’re arguing with the person who created it who could easily say, “Hey, I created it”. Luckily, that’s not the case because the people we are working with are really fun people. The juice you get from creating something is real. So that’s the fun part.

Which brings me to the next question. You are debuting a song, “Straight Man”, which I heard and I love, by the way. How did that happen? Did you write it?

No, I didn’t write it. I did, kind of, I think. I could say humbly that I do bring a lot to the table as far as I have a lot of experience. It wasn’t so much the song and the singing as it was they were trying different things. There was a song that used to have from me and this other character, sort of like a romance thing happening. They had that song and tried it during one run in L.A. and they liked it, but they wanted to try something different. They had another song that I frankly told him was the least best song in the show and I’m a huge fan of the show, so I can speak openly. 

I think artists and creators appreciate when someone gives an honest answer. So I was like, “Why don’t you give this guy a fish out of water song?” And they freaking nailed it. They wrote “Straight Man” and it really kills. It kind of comes out of nowhere. Yes, it is the LGBTQ community really lifting us off. Already, the audiences are incredible. When this song comes up, it just floors them. They get such a kick out of it. It’s a real win.

Love this song. I absolutely love it. It does sound like Green Day. So far, what was the most challenging endeavor you ever did in your career?

It’s not the project. It’s where we are. It’s where we meet the project. And where I am in my journey in life, and I think if you tapped into the universe or a higher power or whatever that spiritual thing is. You are met with those challenges that you’re almost ready for but not totally. Because that’s life. So many times, for instance, I created a show for Pop TV. I did eight episodes and here I am writing and creating a show and working with the production company. Of course, I thought everybody’s opinion was wrong and I had to bite my tongue and stand up for myself and all that. That was challenging. Again, a project like this where I’m 3,000 miles away from my three kids and my wife and I’m living my dreams and I have to balance that on a personal level. I have to show up three times a week. Mind my own business. Speak up when you think it’s right. But not for too much. You have to do your job. You have to worry about what the audience thinks, but also not care at the same time. I have also been a member of a boy band–I mean, we took 15 years off, but I’ve known these guys for 40 years and I love them to death and it’s also very challenging. We have five big personalities. And one set of hopes and dreams and navigating through that and keeping my autonomy has been one of the biggest challenges. So far, I’ve managed to balance it. Sometimes it’s not so easy.

I bet. I don’t know how you balance everything that you do. So, can you recall a moment that changed the trajectory of your entire life?

You know, they say “that sliding door moment”. Auditioning for New Kids on the Block was the biggest shift. I was 12 years old. And for three years, nothing happened. So it wasn’t like, instantly, you’re famous and all that stuff. But that definitely shifted things. I will say, though, and I’m giving you a scoop here: I’ve been clean and sober for seven months now. It is something I always wanted to give a shot. I was surprised at what it has given me, as far as bandwidth and options. It’s been quite a change, frankly. It doesn’t make it easy. Anything that’s worthwhile is not easy. That has been a big change.

Well, it’s probably a healthier change. I need to ask you one New Kids question. I see that you’re in Vegas, sold out, from 2024 all the way to 2026. Is there a difference going on stage now from when you were that little kid?

Well, yes and no. In some ways, not much, in a sense that we were blessed with a camaraderie and a sense of gratitude for being able to do what we love and the excitement of continuing to get a shot to run out on a stage and connect with the greatest fans in the world. We just did a summer tour and it was hot as hell. It was 95° outside. We haven’t done outside shows in a long time. Hot as hell. Killed us. But it was amazing and yet again, another successful tour, so on a scale of just looking at it, the energy is not much different.

If you could have me ask you any question on the planet, what would it be?

Actually, I think I would say I have an album coming out in January. A solo album. I’m really excited about it. Honestly, I’m kidding, but I’m not kidding. The gay community is going to love this album.

Tell me whatever you want to about the album.

It’s called Freedom. And it’s coming out January 24th. We’re going to start rolling that out, so we’re excited about it.