Iowa Awaits Second "Superman"
Oh, to be from Iowa. It's the only place where you can feel assured you've made it in this world when a sculpture is created in your honor out of butter. Actor Brandon Routh, the newest iteration of Superman, Norwalk High School, Class of '97, is bestowed with the honor this year. It has become a dream for another Iowa actor who is winning accolades in Chicago for several plays he's written and produced. Josh Zagoren, 25, is also a member of "Second City," a long-running improvisational comedy troupe that has been a training ground for many "Saturday Night Live" veterans such as Belushi, Murray, Farley and Tina Fey. This young talent is sure to be the next big thing. Perhaps he hopes, butter big.
Josh Zagoren began his life in the beautiful suburb of Clive, Iowa. He has always been an offbeat character. I was lucky enough to have gone through school with him from Indian Hills Junior High to Valley High School (Class of '99) and then on to Emerson College in Boston. I will never forget the first time I encountered him. It was the first day of school and Josh climbed on the bus in a bow tie, lugging a huge accordion with him. He sat in front of me and asked if I wanted to see a magic trick. Today, as I sit down to interview him, he pulls out a stuffed frog and says "Hello Miss Kenzie" and does so without moving his lips. It's good to see success hasn't changed him.
Most recently Josh is noted for his show Bad Guys in Suits, which was recommended by the League of Chicago Theaters and Natural Talent performed at the Cornservatory of Chicago. The LCT and Critic's Choice in Chicago also heralded his work on Soft Corn Porn. In addition to all this, Josh recently founded a comedy duo named Hobo Junction, which rolled its way to the "Apollo" in Chicago.
I ask Josh if being from Iowa has helped him in any auditions.
"It's funny," he says, "because a lot of times being an Iowan is a benefit. Everyone knows someone from Iowa. In Boston, directors wanted to cast me because I could be the boy next door, since clearly I am a kind, simple, hayseed." Josh explained giving an imitation of a hillbilly, spitting into a spittoon. "They should have known I am better at playing the villain." He laughs evilly.
"I really do miss Iowa a lot. It was always a place of solitude and meditation for me and whenever I go back I have a chance to think freely. The thing I loved most about Iowa was the attitude. People are very down home, but they don't realize it. It's the Lutheran thing you know, the 'I got my eye on you', that sort of thing. Very nice, very well kept, but underneath is a seething party beast."
"Did you have any teachers growing up that you felt helped you realize your dream?" I questioned.
"I loved my teachers even if they hated me from head to toe. When I was at Valley High School there was a music teacher named John Ector who really got me focused. There is an art world and it is not so amorphous as you think. It can be specified into things like a theater world, music world, film world and John helped me to see I could go into each of these worlds. He was a scientist of art where I consider myself a carpenter. He re-arranged the music from the Highlander for our Show Choir to perform. Weird yes, but Queen wrote it so it was cool. I 'd hang out everyday after class just to learn from him. He probably thought I was a latch-key kid or something."
"They always say when you leave a place you love you take a part of it with you and leave a part of you behind. What do you think you've taken and left in Iowa?" I quizzed.
"Hmmm…I've taken with me the ability to appreciate any success I find and a serious infatuation with the State Fair. I love the Iowa State Fair. Love it. I will never stop loving it. I miss it like old women miss hanky panky: a little shy to admit it but get me goin' and I'll talk about it to an uncomfortable degree. This question makes me a little homesick. I miss the food the most and the butter cow. You know, I have nothing but respect and admiration for those who stay in town after school is over. I can't stay in the same chair for more than five minutes and I am envious of anyone who can. As for what I left behind, I'd say debauchery and hopefully a reputation for being a great actor and a writer." He explains before jumping up from his chair proving his prior comment.
It is without a doubt that someday Josh will see himself in butter.
© 2009
