Say 'Aloha' to ... Justin Harner

Full given name: Justin Harner

Where you were born/where you were raised? Effingham, Illinois 

Your role within the Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls family: Martin

How would you describe your character? Martin is like Pinocchio gone wrong. What happens when a dog enters the human world? He's excited and fascinated and has this new body and voice. He can interact with the world, but he can't interact with people.  His greatest wish has left him with one foot in the human world and one paw in the dog world. I went there, and I won't take that back. 

In 5 words, how do you describe Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls: You'll think about it later. 

Something you're REALLY bad at: Faking conversations about sports. "Yeah, I saw the White Sox play at Soldier Field once.  It was great." Yes, that was said, by my mouth. 

Special hidden talent: I can burp on command. 

Current local show you have been recommending to friends: Big Love by Charles Mee at Strawdog

Favorite Chicago neighborhood: Uptown

Favorite play: Thom Pain (a play based on nothing) by Will Eno

Your personal idols: David Bowie, Marina Abramović, Tom Waits, Sam Rockwell

Most played song on your iPod: "Next Year, Baby" by Jamie Cullum

Who would play you in the Lifetime movie about your life: [insert current Disney wunderkind child], when he decides to snag a 'legitimate' role after his latest arrest, not realizing the role demanded that he mostly stare pensively out of windows and avoid eye contact with attractive people on the El.

Must-see TV show(s): American Horror Story, season two (you don't have to watch the first one!). It's everything you want out of Ryan Murphy: completely inconsistent conventions, angels, Satan, and an occasional musical number. Unpredictability at its finest. 

Pop culture guilty pleasure: I CANNOT get enough Steely Dan. 

Three things you can't live without: Piano, running shoes, and an expensive-looking watch. 

"I'll never understand why…": ...anyone would ever wait in a line. Go make your own fun.

---

Come see Justin in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of Naomi Iizuka's Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls at the Heartland Studio in Rogers Park, May 30 - June 16, 2013.  Please visit www.brownpaperbox.org for tickets and additional information.