He’s played Danny in Grease, Sky in Mamma Mia! and Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. Now Sean Johnston gets his coolest role yet as Hairspray’s Link Larkin.
You play Link Larkin in the new production of Hairspray. What’s the secret to his infectious charisma and cheesy smile?
Sean Johnston: “It all comes down to him having a really gentle and good heart. That’s what’s at the core. He comes off with that whole cool-guy persona, and he is, but I think his charisma really comes from deep down. When I auditioned for the role, I presented the character with my own interpretation and the director said I had a laidback California type coolness. But he wanted a more energetic coolness. You have to always be ready to switch up a character with nuanced changes to make the character.”
What do you think is it about Hairspray that resonates with people?
“Watching it as a kid, I loved it for all the bright colours, high energy and fun music, but now that I’m older I can really look at the story and read into the characters. I understand the time and era it was set, and I now love it for an entirely different reason. The way it celebrates integration, diversity, and change. It has a real historical grounding about community coming together, and it’s the perfect show have in this current era.”
Sean Johnston as Link Larkin with Carmel Rodrigues as Tracy Turnblad
Link has been played by Matthew Morrison, Nick Jonas, Andrew Rannells, Austin Miller, and Zac Efron in the film version. How does it feel to join their league?
“Very surreal! Those actors are all very attractive men, and to be put in that same league is pretty crazy, and something I’ll have to live up to! (laughing) Especially having only just broken into this industry. It’s a little scary, but also very cool.”
So, who’s your celebrity man crush?
“There’s the obvious ones like Hugh Jackman and Henry Cavill, but I think I’d have to say Zac! He’s a fantastic actor, with an incredible career carved out since High School Musical. Now he’s became one of the most good-looking men on the planet, and so shredded too! He also lives in Byron Bay now, so I might have to send him a ticket!”
“I’ll give a polite ‘Sorry, I’m straight’ and most of the time they’ll stay for a little dance”.
Have you ever had a mate come out to you?
“Yes, a few. Sometimes it’s been completely conversational and other times they’ve really wanted to have a sit-down talk. I love that people can feel comfortable in coming out to me. I also like the conversational situation where they don’t have to feel awkward or nervous.”
Have you ever witnessed homophobia?
“In school, my particular group of friends were pretty good. I never heard anything from my mates, but I definitely knew of it happening elsewhere. To be honest, I think my entire year was pretty good, but with the senior years you’d hear nasty comments and slurs thrown around. I’m really grateful for my group of friends, because we never associated with that sort of thing, and we were a safe group of mates. I’d like to think that by the time we were seniors the younger kids could look up to us.”
Have you had some wild nights out with your gay mates?
“I come from Toowoomba, but studied musical theatre in Brisbane, so my uni mates and I would go to the Beat MegaClub in the Fortitude Valley. My friend Matt is a lot of fun to go out with and we’d always have such a great time on the dancefloor.”
Sean Johnston joined on stage by Mackenzie Dunn as Penny Pingleton, Javon King as Seaweed J Stubbs, and Carmel Rodrigues as Tracy Turnblad
Did you get propositioned out on those adventures?
“That has happened a couple of times, especially when I’m out with Matt and his crew. I’ll give a polite ‘Sorry, I’m straight’ and most of the time they’ll stay for a little dance and then move on.”
Is there a gay bar in Toowoomba?
“No, I don’t think so. It’s a pretty old town stuck in its ways, but there’s a lot of people there who I think would be very happy to pioneer some change. We need to get a club there!
It’d need a good name like The Rooster Bar.
(Laughing) “Indeed!”
“I love that people can feel comfortable in coming out to me.”
Who’s your music diva?
“Kelly Clarkson. Every time she comes up on my play list, it’s never skipped. I love My Life Would Suck Without You. I’m bopping my head to that song now!”
The 2022 Australian cast of Hairspray also includes Rhonda Burchmore as Velma Von Tussle, Rob Mills as Corny Collins, Shane Jacobson as Edna Turnblad, Todd McKenny as Wilbur Turnblad and Asabi Goodman as Motormouth Maybelle
Do you have a grooming tip?
“When I played Danny in Grease, I learned how to wet my hair in the shower, give it a quick dry and then put a bunch of gel in it while still wet. I’d then blow dry it, and it’d stick up and hold shape so much better. When it comes to shaving, I’m always trying different creams and razors, and it really comes down to whatever’s cheapest!”
What’s been your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?
“The one that takes the cake happened recently during Mamma Mia! There’s a scene where I’m wearing long pants and shirt, and during the song the boys run on and strip me so that I’m left in my swimming trunks. I do a big jump and roll and that’s where my mic pack fell out of its pouch. For the rest of the song, I was trying to get it back in, while doing all the choreography. I eventually rescued it with help from Annelise Hall who played Sophie. There was another part later where I do a big handstand and it came flying out again!”
Is there a quote you live by?
“While I was at uni, Heidi Loveland was the musical director on a lot of our shows, and she’d always give me the most incredible wisdom. She would say ‘Don’t Endgame’, meaning don’t get too caught up thinking about the future and forget to enjoy the moment.”
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the acting profession?
“I couldn’t say there was just one, but rather a few who I’ve taken inspiration from. There are those who I relate to and respect, such as Zac Efron, but there is also my mate from uni, Liam Head. We met in first year and we’re still really good mates now. He’s been doing Jagged Little Pill and he’s definitely had an effect on me. Just studying with him for three years and seeing how he works and throws himself out there, has been inspiring for me.”
Sean Johnston
Jeans or Chinos, boardies or speedos?
“Coming from a country town, I’m definitely a jeans boy. I used to where boardies but because I’m so pale, I started wearing Speedos to try and tan up. That didn’t work though, so I’ve found a happy medium with shorter boardies.”
And briefs, fitted boxers or commando?
“I’m a briefs man, but I’m going to research what they wore in the Sixties. I want to see how crazy those high-waisted hip-hugging Y-fronts were and start implementing them into the show!”
Hairspray opens in August at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre.
For more visit: hairspraymusical.com.au
