Waterloo Native Joins Meryl Streep in ‘Only Murders In the Building’

When I was sick with COVID-19 nearly two years ago, I was stuck at home with nothing to do. 

I caught up on a bunch of tv shows that I was dying to watch. One of those programs was the Emmy nominated ‘Only Murders In the Building.’

In two days, I managed to binge watch the entire first season. Just recently, when I was researching the latest season, I came across an exciting Iowa connection.

Waterloo Native and UNI Alum Appears on Screen with Meryl Streep

Some of the newest additions to the cast include Paul Rudd and Acadamy Award winner Meryl Streep.

Streep plays Loretta Durkin a peculiar, struggling actor.

Someone who got to work closely with this living legend is Waterloo native and University of Northern Iowa alumnus Joel Waggoner.

He plays the pianist in the latest season of the show and worked closely with Meryl Streep. In a story from inside UNI, the performer shared that he actually got to conduct her one day for the show.

Joel’s Broadway Background

Waggoner is a multi-hyphenate in the world of musical theater. He is a writer, actor, composer, music director, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and a comedian.

He initially studied music education at the University of Northern Iowa before changing his mind and pursuing a degree in music performance for vocal music and violin.

After graduating from UNI he moved out to New York for his Master’s. Waggoner ended up being a part of two Broadway productions; School of Rock and Be More Chill. He went on to play the roles of Mr. Heere/Mr. Reyes/Scary Stockboy in these productions.

He’s also worked as a music director and vocal arranger for Broadway Bounty Hunter (Off-Broadway at Greenwich House Theatre/Barrington Stage Company) and many productions at Pace University where he served as the Director of Music. 

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