Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Education: Bachelor's in Music from Baldwin-Wallace College
Select Credits: Godspell (Standby for Jesus & Judas, Circle in the Square Theatre); Wicked (Ensemble, u/s Fiyero, First National Tour); RENT (Gordon, u/s Mark & Roger, National Tour); I Love You Because (Austin, 14th Street Theatre); Harold and Maude (Harold, Cain Park)
Why theater?: Theatre is what I first fell in love with. You know, those cliche stories where the 4 year old goes to see a play and falls in love with it, starts taking classes, and then does it the rest of their life. That would be my story. It's where I fit in. There was no question what I wanted to major in in college. I don't even think my parents asked me- they just assumed that after I did 100 shows before college that I wanted to keep doing it. I fell in love with the relationship between the audience and the actor. I want to make them feel.
What is it like being a part of Godspell?: It's the perfect Broadway Debut. The cast is incredibly close. Usually on a night off you're with your other friends or family but this cast never minds being together when we're not at work. In rehearsals, we realized that the show requires such teamwork, togetherness, and the need to work off each other, so it began right away. There's really no drama behind the scenes because we all fit so well together, which is such a blessing. It's a thrill coming to work every day and working with these people. On stage, it's also a great time. I love that the show is very loose, and when the standbys go on, we can make it our own.
What’s life like as an understudy?: Life is pretty great. I've understudied before in RENT and Wicked but I was also in the ensemble, so I was performing every night. With Godspell, I'm a standby, so only when someone is out do I go on. At first, it really was not my cup of tea because no one was really calling out, but once winter came and people started to get sick, I began to go on pretty frequently. So to go on every so often and then to just hang out the rest of the time really became the perfect first job in NYC. The 3 other standbys and I have a lot of fun backstage and we keep entertained. AKA Downton Abbey.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love close-up, intimate theatre. A house of 100 seats, where the audience can see the actor's pupils really gets me going. It's a thrill that you just can't get in a 3,000 seat house. During college, I worked in few regional theatres where the average seating capacity in the theatres was about 150, and I did smaller, more intimate musicals like Harold and Maude and I Love You Because. This kind of theatre is my strong point. I get inspiration from getting out and seeing as much theatre as I can. I try to see one show every week. Actors who inspire me? Frances Conroy, Nina Arianda, Brian D'arcy James, Norm Lewis.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Moritz in Spring Awakening, Whizzer in Falsettos, Toxie in The Toxic Avenger. I'd love to do Roger in RENT again.
What’s your favorite showtune?: I probably couldn't even pick my favorite musical let alone my favorite showtune. But somewhere in the top 5 would probably be "Unlikely Lovers" from Falsettos. It's a heartbreaking but completely sincere portrait of 4 best friends in a hospital room while one of them is dying of AIDS.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Michael Mayer. I love his work and the material he chooses to direct. I've never auditioned for him but I hear he is wonderful to work with.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Bradley Cooper. "Mean Boys".
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Newsies at Paper Mill was pretty awesome. So much fun. As for shows running right now-- Porgy and Bess and War Horse. Also, Hurt Village Off-Broadway.
What’s up next?: Tons of concerts and benefits. Also doing the 2012 Broadway Beauty Pageant in March. Check out upcoming projects here: http://www.coreymach.com/Corey_Mach/news.html. And come see GODSPELL!