23 Questions With John Tartaglia

10.13.09 - Longtime Disney fan (and D23 member!) John Tartaglia began his career in entertainment at the tender age of 16 when he joined Sesame Street's puppetry team, where he handled — at one time or another — many of the show's most legendary characters. He left one Street for another, when he originated two memorable roles (and earned a Tony® nomination) in Broadway's Avenue Q. He went on create and star in his own Disney Channel series, Johnny and the Sprites, for two seasons and played the role of Lumiere in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast during the show's final year. In 2008, John, who lives in New York City with Michael, his partner of five years, originated the role of Pinocchio on Broadway in Shrek — a part he will be returning to this December (the show closes on January 3, 2010). Following a whirlwind trip to the D23 Expo, we sat down to ask him 23 questions.

What Disney theme song best describes your personality? "I think the theme music to Fantasmic! because it's all about dreams and love and light and believing in magic and good conquering evil."

What's your earliest Disney memory?
My earliest Disney memory is actually of watching on TV when they broadcast the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs musical from Radio City Music Hall. [NOTE: this special aired on HBO in 1980.] I totally remember seeing that and being fascinated by that.

You got to work on Sesame Street. Which Muppets did you work with?
I worked with many Muppets. I worked with Elmo, Ernie, Cookie Monster. I pretty much had every Muppet on my hand at some point. I had two characters who were mine. One was named Phoebe Monster and she was part of Monster Club House, which was a segment on the show for a few years. I also did a character who was a duck who was always playing different characters. I did mostly ensemble stuff. Pretty much every letter, sheep or chicken you saw at some point was probably me.

Do people recognize you from Johnny and the Sprites?
Yes — actually more than I ever thought they would! It's pretty cool because kids recognize me instantly and the parents take a second or two. They're always so sweet and very complimentary of the show.

With Johnny, you were on Disney Channel, on Disney DVDs, and even did a show at Walt Disney World. What's it like being such a big part of the Disney world, so to speak?
For me it was heaven because I'm such a Disney fan myself. To be a part of that was pretty amazing. I felt very lucky and I felt like I was part of something much bigger than anything the show could have been. Because Disney World was such a part of my childhood, getting to perform there was very exciting and important to me. I didn't take it lightly.

You got to play Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. Is that a favorite?
It is. That was one of the first Broadway shows I saw when I moved to New York City. It was a role I always wanted to play but and I never thought I could. I thought I was too young and no one would see me that way. When I was asked to play the role, I jumped up and down. I was so excited to have that chance. It's one of my favorite memories because it's such a beautiful score and the show was so opulent. And it was wonderful to get to watch kids experience their first Broadway show.

And you're currently in Shrek playing Pinocchio. What was more challenging, playing a candlestick or playing a wooden puppet?
Ooh. That's a good one. I think probably, physically it as harder playing Lumiere because the candles were heavy and you always had to stand as a candelabra. And Pinocchio is much easier physically than that. Character-wise, Lumiere is kind of the everyman, showbiz entertaining light type. Pinocchio goes on much more of a journey and he's a little bit darker — at least in the musical. So physically, Lumiere was more challenging, but emotionally Pinocchio is.

We saw you at the D23 Expo. Did you have a favorite exhibit or presentation?
I kinda geeked out the whole time and loved everything. The one I really loved the most was Steve Davison's World of Color presentation. The show looks so incredible and his excitement for it made that panel the best time. It was great.

Who recognizes you more — adults or children?
I think adults do. But I have double audiences — I have the Broadway audiences from Avenue Q, and Shrek, and Beauty and the Beast. Plus, they watched Johnny with their kids. Kids just know me from Johnny and the Sprites.

Funniest fan encounter ever?
When I was at the D23 Expo, I went to Disneyland and was in line for Peter Pan and in the queue, I kept hearing a female voice saying, "Sprites" over and over again. I didn't know where it was coming from. Finally I had this mother make the connection and say, "Oh my God, it's Johnny from Johnny and the Sprites!" and the entire queue turned around. It was very sweet and I was also kinda trapped because I was in line for Peter Pan. So I ended up taking a lot of pictures with the kids.

Who have you been starstruck by?
Betty White. I'm a huge Golden Girls fan. Johnny Depp for sure. When I was doing Avenue Q the only celebrity that I completely made a fool of myself in front of was Tom Hanks. I knew he was in the audience and I wanted to be funny for him. So I was trying WAY too hard. Everything that usually got a laugh in the show fell flat because I was so aware that he was there. It was a good lesson to learn. He's one of my acting heroes so that was cool.

It seems like you've been hopping from one project to the next. Where do you go to relax?
I should probably say a spa or the beach. But I really love going to the Parks. But if I don't go to the Parks, it's St. John where I totally go to chill out.

You're a huge Disney fan. So we have some Disney-fied questions for you. Best Disney theme park attraction?
Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland. I think it's the perfect blend of storytelling, thrills and effects. It's so immersive. It's a great ride.

Favorite Disney character?
I think Goofy. I love Goofy. I relate to him because I'm totally a klutz and totally a goof.

Best Disney movie?
My favorite is Beauty and the Beast… and Peter Pan. Those are my two favorites. They're just classics. In their own time and their own eras they're perfect movies.

What's the most unique Disney item in your home?
I'm a huge County Bear Jamboree fan, so I have a lot of original art from that attraction. They're reproductions, but they mean a lot to me.

"My favorite [Disney movies are] Beauty and the Beast… and Peter Pan. Those are my two favorites. They're just classics. In their own time and their own eras they're perfect movies."

If you could build one Disney park attraction, what would it be?
I would build something that never got built, which was The Great Muppet Movie Ride, which was going to be adjacent to the 3D movie at the Studios. I saw some of the plans for it and it looked amazing. So I would do that.

Disney song that best describes your personality?
I think the theme music to Fantasmic! because it's all about dreams and love and light and believing in magic and good conquering evil.

Do you own any pieces of clothing with Disney characters on them?
Absolutely. I prefer theme park attraction stuff. I have the Tiki Room T-shirt. I have a Pirates of the Caribbean sweatshirt. I have the classic Disneyland-look shirt. A lot of park-based stuff.

If you could go to any Disney theme park, where would you go?
I would without a doubt to Tokyo Disneyland. I haven't been there but from what everyone's told me it's the most beautiful and immersive park. It seems like it's a masterpiece of Imagineering so I'd want to see that in person.

Favorite Mouseketeer?
Annette. C'mon. She's the one.

Best Disney villain?
I think I give it Ursula. I just love her. And Pat Carroll, who did her voice, did a genius job with it. She's great.

If you could have dinner with three Disney luminaries living or dead, who would they be (not counting Walt — 'cause we'd all want to have dinner with him!)?
I'd want to have dinner with Mary Blair, Marc Davis and Roy Disney. I'd like to hear everything from Roy's point of view.

Happiest Disney moment?
The first time I went to Disney World and running after the rope was dropped at the Magic Kingdom the first morning I was there. That was the coolest feeling ever.

By D23's Jeffrey Epstein