The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

Well, we did it. The cast of My Joy Is Heavy performed on the Tonight Show! Bucket list item unlocked.

What a day it was. We arrived at NBC at 10am for a soundcheck and two hour rehearsal. It was so cool to watch the production of a major network taping come together. Everyone involved was a consummate professional and very friendly and welcoming. After a break in the afternoon, we all gathered for a photo with Jimmy and then the show began taping at 5pm.

pre-show

After an hour of nervous energy, it was our time to take the stage. We could tell immediately that the audience was fully locked in and we gave as much energy as we could back to them. In the moment, I thought we absolutely killed it. I was so proud of all the people on that stage with me, most especially Shaun and Abigail, who were the reasons we were all there. Thank you, thank you, hallelujah!

After we played, Jimmy came around and shook all of our hands and then we JAMMED WITH THE ROOTS! What an incredible and inspiring band they are. Afterwards in the hallway, Questlove himself came up and shook my hand. We didn’t exchange any words, just a nod. Drummer code for a job well-done.

Post-show

The hardest part of the entire day was the hour before the show aired on television. What if it sounds bad? What if I look bad? Thankfully, I don’t think either of those things were true. I could finally drift off to sleep after an exhausting and fulfilling day of music-making with my friends.

Our show runs through April 12 at New York Theatre Workshop. If you are in New York, please come out and support this joyous piece of new theater!

actual cue card!