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A Day In The Life Of This Musical Theater Star Is Anything But Dull

Josh Walden takes us behind the scenes of the off-Broadway hit, "Cagney."
Curtis M. Wong
By 

Senior Culture Reporter, HuffPost

Though his stage résumé includes four Broadway musicals and countless other shows on the road, Josh Walden believes his latest role showcases his talents in a way like never before.

The New Hampshire-born actor-singer is one of the six principal stars of “Cagney,” the off-Broadway musical based on the life of James Cagney, the stage and screen legend best known for “The Public Enemy,” “Angels with Dirty Faces,” “White Heat” and other gangster-style films of Hollywood’s Golden Age. In the musical, which transferred to New York’s Westside Theatre in April after a smash run at the more intimate York Theatre, Walden plays Cagney’s brother, Bill, as well as nine other characters over the course of a single evening.

"Wait! Weren't Jason Momoa and Joe Manganiello just here massaging my hands while Zac Efron whispered my daily horoscope in my ear?! Oh --I must have been dreaming!"
"Wait! Weren't Jason Momoa and Joe Manganiello just here massaging my hands while Zac Efron whispered my daily horoscope in my ear?! Oh --I must have been dreaming!"
Josh Walden

As a seasoned performer who sings, dances and acts “equally,” Walden, 40, told The Huffington Post that the show is very much a “dream come true.”

“I’ve been looking for something to do in the city that could showcase what I love to do, and this came along at the right time,” Walden, whose Broadway résumé includes “Ragtime,” “La Cage aux Folles” and “A Chorus Line,” said. “When I tell people I’m not exhausted after this show, I’m truly not exhausted. If I were to complain, I’d have to slap myself.”

"Nothing says good morning quite like walking your pups in your PJs. Keeping it classy for you, Hudson Heights."
"Nothing says good morning quite like walking your pups in your PJs. Keeping it classy for you, Hudson Heights."
Josh Walden

With that in mind, HuffPost Queer Voices asked Walden to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at his typical “Cagney” routine. Even though it was a two-performance day, the actor-singer teased us with 17 sassy snapshots that showed him working just as hard as he was playing. (If you like what you see, be sure to follow Walden’s further adventures on Instagram.)

Check out Walden’s action-filled day below.

Josh Walden
"Better shower up cuz it's a two-show day! Which means this body's gonna get extra sweaty today. Delicious!"
Josh Walden
"Getting my white mocha on at Cafe Buunni. Keeping it local, kids. Keeping it local. And by local, I mean right across the street from my apartment."
Josh Walden
"Before I get to the theater, I teach a private jazz class to this little hottie named Jillian. Somebody's got to pay for all these skank tanks."
Josh Walden
"Here we are at my home away from home, the Westside Theatre. Not to distract you from the beautiful architecture, but would you say I'm afraid of wearing color and prints?"
Josh Walden
"Is that a foam roller between your legs, or are you just happy to see me? NO! That's just me warming up on stage. The ushers are not confused by this exercise at all."
Josh Walden
"Ladies and gentlemen, the women of 'Cagney' -- Karen, Danette and Ellen -- serving armpits, legs and side boob with great panache."
Josh Walden
"Taking a quick selfie as Jeremy and I run to our next quick change. Nothing could be finer than tap dancing next to this guy eight shows a week. And in shiny vaudevillian costumes to boot!"
Josh Walden
"Getting my body worked on between shows by the healing angel, Julie. There is some serious magic in those limbs and those golden locks. Who is she? Rapunzel?!"
Josh Walden
"Race home to check on my girls, take them for a walk and cuddle in the living room. And maybe a sweet lick under the chin. Links is a whore for sweaty skin."
Josh Walden
"Meet the hot men of 'Cagney' -- Jeremy, Robert, Bruce, Freddie and Joel! Three gay, three straight. I call that a well-balanced male ensemble."
Josh Walden
"Catching a pic with the fabulous Ellen before we ascend the many spiral staircases to the stage for our second show of the day. When I finally take the last step, I swear Old Deuteronomy is waiting to take me to the Heavyside Layer."
Josh Walden
"Dresser Chelsea snaps a private moment of me in our quick change crossover preparing for my Act 1 director, Mr. Wellman. We should charge admission just to watch the magic that unfolds in this very narrow hallway."
Josh Walden
"With two shows complete and 5,000 calories burnt, it's time to greet the fans, sign the Playbills and jump on the uptown A. Honestly, nothing is sweeter than walking through Hell's Kitchen after a long day of work on a warm summer's night."
Josh Walden
"At home, I bring the day to an end by drinking glasses of water and eating appropriately proportioned fruits and veggies with my best friend, Noah. Gotta replenish all those electrolytes!"
Josh Walden
"And how do I maintain a well-nourished and moisturized face? By placing freaky hydrating masks on it. It really gives off that welcoming serial killer vibe."
Josh Walden
"Currently, I am a professional widow. My man, Chris, is at Stages St. Louis being FIERCE! For now, his 8 x 10 headshot will have to do to help me keep this king-size bed warm. That's right. I said it. King size bed. And I live in Manhattan. Microphone drop. I'm out."

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