EXCLUSIVE: Joanie Anderson on The Play That Goes Wrong

Joanie Anderson chats with us on her hysterical role as Annie in the Off-Broadway masterpiece hit, The Play That Goes Wrong… and everything going right in her life.

What do you hope people leave with after seeing The Play That Goes Wrong?

After seeing The Play That Goes Wrong, I hope audiences leave the theatre filled with joy and with a desire to share that feeling with others. It is truly a gift to be a vessel for laughter and to have the opportunity to bring people happiness. My hope is that audiences carry that feeling with them and are inspired to extend that same kindness and joy to those around them.

How did you prepare for your role as Annie?

When I first began preparing for the initial audition, I had the opportunity to work with a colleague who helped coach me through the audition sides. I will never forget the first note she gave me as we began working through the material: “Don’t pretend to be nervous or scared.” That note has stayed with me and has been in alignment with direction given throughout the process once I started rehearsal. There is an immediacy and authenticity to the world of the play, and being able to tap into what that genuinely looks and feels like is incredibly important to the success of the piece.  At the same time, I really do love being onstage and performing. There’s a fun contrast within Annie’s journey, and as the show goes on, Annie starts to find her voice and become more confident, I get to tap into that part of myself too. Those moments are really fun because I get to exist in her discovery of that confidence and just enjoy being onstage. I can really let loose in those moments and have fun with her. 

What has been your favorite memory from being in the show?

One of my favorite memories from the show happened early on, when I first joined the company. There’s a moment when Annie gets a response from the audience based on something she does, and one particular night, the audience reacted with such an incredible roar from beyond the lights that it completely caught me by surprise.The response was so overwhelming that I became incredibly emotional. I could feel so much love and energy coming from the audience. The scene had to continue, of course, but all I wanted to do was sit there and cry tears of gratitude.I truly love what I do, and in that moment, I felt a profound sense of appreciation for the opportunity to perform, to tell this story, and to experience that connection with an audience. It was one of those moments that reminded me just how special this work can be.

I loved the last line in your bio [Sending endless love to my family and Hally Jr, Mommy loves you beyond space and time.] and stalking your Instagram. You are such a super mom! How do you balance a demanding 8 shows a week and being mommy? 

First, thank you so much for calling me a “super mom.” Somedays I don’t know if I;m coming or going:) How do I manage performing eight shows a week while also being a mom? Honestly, you may have to ask me again in a few months! It’s a constant balancing act that is always evolving.A lot of it comes down to careful planning—scheduling, meal preparation, making intentional time for my son when I’m not working, and doing my best to make sure he continues to feel loved, supported, and important despite the demands of my schedule. He is my everything, so my biggest priority is making sure that, as much as possible, he doesn’t feel my absence. When I can, I make sure I’m always present at his school events. I’m glad and thankful to say I haven’t had to miss anything thus far. Before I joined the company, I cooked dinner for him most evenings. Now, while I’m working, I meal prep home-cooked meals for his sitter so that he can still have the meals I would normally make for him. I also try to keep things interesting by preparing two or three different full meals each week. For me, it’s about finding ways to maintain a sense of consistency and connection for him, even when my schedule is anything but consistent. Joining the show also meant finding a babysitter, which was a daunting and, honestly, scary process for me. Before this, my son had never been cared for by a stranger, so it was overwhelming to begin the process of finding someone I trusted to come into our home and care for him while I was at work.There is certainly mom guilt, along with a lot of other emotions that come with balancing motherhood and a demanding career. But ultimately, I’m incredibly proud of the work that I do, and I’m grateful that my son is at an age where he can see his mom pursuing her dreams. I hope that, in watching me, he’s learning that he can pursue his own dreams someday, too.

This play is obviously a comedy, but you have also done a lot of dramatic roles. Do you have a preference between the two and which do you find harder? 

I enjoy them both. I will say that, personally, I find comedy to be more of a challenge. Resisting the urge to push the comedy is something I’m always working on, especially when you know a joke or funny moment is coming. It can be easy to fall into the trap of wanting to make sure the audience has the experience you intend for them to have. You have to trust the material, stay present in the moment, and allow the humor to happen naturally rather than trying to force it.

What are your dressing room essentials?

My dressing room essentials are pretty simple for this project. I always have to have pictures of my son or my family with me, along with some of his artwork. Having those little reminders of him/them nearby help to always keep me connected to my why.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

I definitely have both pre-show and during-the-show rituals. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself superstitious, but I am very much a creature of habit. Once I establish a routine, I tend to stick with it.Before the show, as I’m getting ready to head to the deck, I always make a point of wishing everyone a good show. During the performance, one of our crew members and I also have little moments and exchanges that have become part of our routine.One time, they were out on vacation, and I completely forgot—or rather, my muscle memory was ready to do what we always do. When the time came for one of our usual backstage exchanges, they weren’t there, and I immediately felt like something was off. For a split second, I was genuinely confused. My body instinctively knew that something was missing before my mind even caught up.It was so funny because, immediately, stage management could see my brain malfunctioning and swooped in to save the day.When they returned, I was so excited to see them. Suddenly, everything felt right again. It was a funny reminder of how those small rituals and connections become such an important part of the rhythm of my show.

What would be your dream role to play on Broadway?

My dream role on Broadway hasn’t been written yet. Maybe it’s still in its infancy, with the idea not even having made it onto the page, or perhaps it’s already written and simply waiting for me. :)I would love the opportunity to originate a character — something that I can put my own personal stamp on from the very beginning. To be part of a production from the workshop stage, developing and discovering the character along the way, and ultimately seeing it through to its Broadway premiere would be an incredible experience. There’s something especially meaningful about creating a character and watching both the role and the production evolve from the ground up.

See just how right or wrong it goes HERE.