CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chris Hoch remembers his theater days at Glenbrook North High School and traveling into the city to see musicals and plays in the theater district.
“One of the first things I saw in Chicago was ‘Les Mis,’ and I loved that. I remember I saw ‘La Cage’ — I want to say that was at the Schubert back then … I saw so many things at the Goodman,” he said.
Hoch said it was during his high school days that he discovered his love of theater.
“I had a wonderful drama teacher, his name was Pat Murphy — we called him, ‘Murphy’ — and like a lot of kids, I found myself lost as a kid and had no direction, had not found my people, and I found it in theater,” he said. “I found purpose.”
Now, Hoch is part of the national touring cast of “Jagged Little Pill,” the stage adaptation of Alanis Morissette’s hit album. He said his role is a huge departure from what he’s used to doing on stage.
“I don’t really do a lot of rock stuff,” he said. “I don’t do a lot of contemporary stuff … I’m mostly putting on pounds of period clothing and funny accents.”
The Northbrook native said Morissette’s music has a “visceral” quality to it that puts him out of his comfort zone.
“[It’s] so interesting to do and something that I’m not used to … but it’s also so much fun,” he said.
“Jagged Little Pill” was nominated for 15 Tony Awards after it opened on Broadway in December 2019.
Hoch said he’s thrilled to be home and to be performing “Jagged Little Pill,” which was nominated for 15 Tony Awards after it opened on Broadway in December 2019, before a hometown audience. He and the cast will be at the Nederlander Theatre through April 23.
Hoch said his drama and choir teachers from Glenbrook North High School will be at the show next week.
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