March 3, 2023
The Things that 'Into the Woods's Josh Breckenridge Can't Perform Without
Christopher Ehlers READ TIME: 10 MIN.
An original cast member of Broadway's "Come From Away," "The Scottsboro Boys," and "The Ritz," Josh Breckenridge is currently touring the country in the hugely acclaimed, direct-from-Broadway, 10 city limited engagement of Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods."
Follow along with Josh on his show day routine and check him out online at J-Breckenridge.com and on Instagram.
Apple iPhone Voice Memos
"Eh hmm. Me me me meeee! "Gotta warm up those vocal cords juuuust right. Thanks, Apple Voice Memos! An absolute MUST before singing on stage is a good, ole fashioned, healthy vocal warm up, courtesy of previously recorded voice lessons with my coach, Matt Farnsworth (aka the best voice teacher in town!)"
Technogym Artis Climb Stair Climber
"But WAIT! Don't even THINK about a vocal warm up until you've conquered your body warmup! I get my butt to the gym and open up those lungs on a classic Technogym Atris Climb Stairmaster! Thanks,TMPL gym for the lung opener. NOW I'm ready belt out that A (or mix that B...#baritonelife)."
Vicks Personal Steam Inhaler
"Ok, if I'm coughing up gunk at the gym or feeling extra phlemy, I'll often spend a good 5-15 mins on my trusty Vicks Personal Steamer. A Godsend! Feeling fatigued, dry or phelm-tastic?? Nothing a session on a trusty steamer can't handle!" $61.99, Target.
eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga Mat
"Now dancers, how do I still have a full split at the ripe age of thrity-*cough* you ask?
Just call me Josh Stretchenridge! Seriously, stretching on my eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga Mat turns any tour kid's hotel room into a limber lounge baby!!" $56, Manduka.
Trigger Point Performance GRID Foam Roller
"I like to start that stretch by cracking the heck out of my locked up back! Being on the road at present makes it near impossible to see my chiropractor, Dr Portera (another shameless name drop). So as Ludacris says, I "roll out" on my travel friendly Trigger Point Performance GRID Foam Roller! *CrackaLACK!* relief!!
Now I'm loose and free to get ready to kick my face and sing to the high heavens!" $38.99, Target.
Coffee
"I know, I know, am I EVER gonna get to the theater???! Yes. En route. On the way we grab a dependable Grande hot Pike with almond milk and 2 pumps of sugar free vanilla. Thanks, Starbucks (or a lovely local coffee option if I come across it #supportlocalbusinesses)!"
Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat Tea
"Sip sip. Now I'm struttin' into the theater, I sign in, do the dang show, and maybe I'm a lil tired or dry on this two show day and decide to pop into my stash of soothing Thoat Coat herbal tea! Sip sip...aaaaaahhhhh: instant reset! Let's go second show of the day!!" $5.29, Target.
Ricola Sugar Free Cough Drops
"Lastly, on the list of show day do's is my good friend Mr. Ricola, sugar free. (Or if he's not around, Mrs Halls). Cough drops not only sooth the throat, but give me something other than H20 (the must of all musts, #hydrate) to taste as I wait for my next entrance in our wonderful production of Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods!" *shameless plug of our direct-from-Broadway, critically acclaimed, limited-engagement production*" $3.39, Amazon.
"Into the Woods" runs through July 30. For tickets and more information, visit IntoTheWoodsBway.Com.