Making the Music: Joe Iconis Discusses Be More Chill's 'Michael in the Bathroom'

Even though a supporting character sings it, the "Michael in the Bathroom" number turns out to be an emotional highpoint of the Broadway musical Be More Chill: a ballad in which Michael (played by George Salazar) finds himself isolated in a bathroom at a Halloween party and gives heartrending voice to all of his insecurities. In the latest installment of our "Making the Music" series, we invited the musical's Tony-nominated composer, Joe Iconis, to Birdland Jazz Club to discuss the way he came up with what is arguably Be More Chill's most iconic tune.

[samanthavictoria]

The best song in the show. I’ve related to it with my anxiety in the past. I love the character and the show so much. I made sure to tell Mr Salazar when I met him at the show off broadway that too. I think everyone can relate to this somehow and if you don’t you’re either lying or you will

[Sternenrose]

1:31 this! This is one of the many reasons why I love Be More Chill so much. Because everybody has their own story and has stuff to figure out. It's not just Jeremy who is important.

[toost]

s e c o n d b a n a n a c h a r a c t e r

god I love these people

[macyblake]

So I clicked on the link to look at show tickets and while I was searching I thought “ima just type in George Salazar” but I instead and absentmindedly typed in George SaladBar 😑

[emmie]

Me: please i have to study for finals

*theatermania: hAVe a viDeO oN JOE ICONIS DISCUSSING MICHAEL AND THE BATHROOM!¡??¡!!*

[daricart]

I really love this song. This is my favorite song because I really connected with Michael throughout this song... It's nice to see it from the creators perspective.

[Phantomnightwatcher]

I hope that Joe Iconis have a long and bright future creating scores for musicals.

[pinklasagna]

3:24 DON'T LIE IN THE HUMMING PART!
all true bmc fans do's it!!

[MisterAppleEsq]

It would be great to see the full performance of MitB from Joe somewhere.

[inarizeki]

i bet that one dislike is the squip.





*change my mind.*

[actuallyanonion]

Before I even knew BMC Michael was the first character I wanted to get invested in....

proved you wrong joe. >:)
(But I like his reasoning and the song is amazing!)

[splogxyz]

i swear my heartstrings are always loose nothing is pulling at them nope of course not and my eyes are naturally sweaty yep no tears here

[livgamette]

How does a finger even click that fast????