Spotlight On...Andy Matchett

Name: Andy Matchett

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Education: Dr Phillips Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Program, Florida State University, University of Central Florida

Favorite Credits: Played Buddy Holly in the Ice House Theatre's sold out run of The Buddy Holly Story in early 2013. Won 11 awards with Key of E in its first run at the Orlando Fringe Fest, the most of any show in the history of the awards, including Best Musical, Best Director and Best of Fringe.

Why theater?: I was big into theater in high school but sort of drifted off into the music world during my late teens and 20s. Recently, I got to feeling a little frustrated and creatively stifled by the climates in both indie and mainstream rock and didn't feel like changing what I wanted to do in order to fit in to either side. Getting back into theater, it really feels like anything goes. The possibilities feel endless and its really exciting. 

Tell us about Key of E?: Its a schizophrenic rock musical about a misanthropic, wannabe rock singer who is obsessed with the apocalypse. After another failed performance and a fight with his girlfriend, he finally gets his wish - the end of the world - and washes up battered on a patch of deserted high ground. Hungover and shellshocked, he starts singing elaborate musical numbers with parts of his personality that, unbeknownst to him, have begun to take physical form. With only his inner demons to keep him company - and a volatile narrator with questionable motives - he begins to question every aspect of his life. There is also an 8 foot tall id monster, an apocalyptic puppet show and a giant wave made of trash. Pretty much your standard night at the theater...   

What inspired you to create Key of E?: The continuing pop culture obsession with the apocalypse.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Adventurous and unexpected creativity of any kind inspires me. I like it when people don't follow the rules, when things feel like they don't belong. Wayne Coyne has an Instagram account that I like to check to remind myself how much insane crap one person can achieve with the proper dedication.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Dave Grohl

What show have you recommended to your friends?: The one about Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's early years. In my mind its like SNL Muppet Babies.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: "Can't Matchett" starring Cher, Leo and 1970's Meatloaf as Andy Matchett. All three of them would be on screen at all times reading/singing the same lines simultaneously.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Steak, Whiskey, Broads and Smokes. Don't really feel that guilty about any of them, though.

What’s the most played song on your iPod?: The one I'm working on at the moment.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be: Writing songs for some other project.

What’s up next?: Right now I'm recording tracks for my new original music project that has yet to be named and fleshing out some new ideas for musicals. The main goal is to work up a full length version of Key of E within the year and transition it to bigger stages and film.