Interview: JC Chasez and Jimmy Harry on Playing With Fire – Their Musical Theatre Concept Album Inspired by Frankenstein

Launching our new interview section, London Theatre – The West End Guide is honored to feature Grammy-nominated *NSYNC member JC Chasez and Golden Globe-winning songwriter and producer Jimmy Harry, who recently collaborated on Playing With Fire. Released on October 25, this musical theatre concept album draws on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to create a unique blend of gothic and modern musical storytelling.

In this interview, JC Chasez and Jimmy Harry, dive into the inspiration behind the album, its resonance with today’s audiences, and their plans to expand it into a full stage production.

Interview by Mike Matthaiakis

A Modern Take on Frankenstein

Interviewer (Mike): What initially drew you to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as a thematic base for Playing With Fire? How do you think it resonates with modern audiences, especially in today’s technology-driven world?

Jimmy Harry: When we started working on the material, it was filtered through my mother’s adaptation of Shelley’s novel, which allowed us to see it through a new lens. Although we initially thought about AI and technology, we ended up focusing on the father-and-son dynamic. It’s really about family and connection. Our “creature” isn’t a monster in the traditional sense—he’s deeply human and driven by a need to understand his origins and connect with his father. That’s the heart of our story.

Balancing Gothic with Contemporary Music

Interviewer (Mike): The album beautifully combines gothic elements with a modern twist. How did you balance these influences while keeping true to the essence of Frankenstein?

JC Chasez: It came down to instincts. When we read parts of the story, we’d think about what emotions could be amplified musically. Sometimes we’d go, “This could make an interesting song,” or “This would add depth.” We trusted our instincts and pieced it together organically, exploring emotions to bring the themes to life.

Jimmy Harry: Exactly. Postmodernism plays a huge role in today’s art, and we loved layering different styles and time periods to evoke complex emotions. Mixing these elements was inspiring, and it allowed us to reimagine Frankenstein in a way that feels fresh and relevant.

Choosing the Voices of Playing With Fire

Interviewer (Mike): The album features Cardamon Rozzi and Lily Elise. How did you choose these collaborators, and what do they bring to the storytelling?

JC Chasez: We worked with Lily first, as she’s been a long-time friend and collaborator with Jimmy, and there was no one else we could imagine as Elizabeth. For Victor, we needed something unique. We auditioned around 30 singers until we found Cardi, whose voice brought a raw depth that perfectly complemented both Lily’s and mine.

Jimmy Harry: Cardi’s voice was the missing piece. As soon as we heard their blend, we knew we had something special. The chemistry among the three voices (including CJ’s) adds another layer to the story that feels incredibly powerful.

The Future of Playing With Fire

Interviewer (Mike): Do you envision Playing With Fire as solely a concept album, or is there potential for it to evolve into a stage production?

JC Chasez: The concept album is a starting point for us. We hope to adapt it into a full musical with talented actors, directors, and designers bringing their perspectives to the story. It would be exciting to see Playing With Fire take on a life beyond the album.

Jimmy Harry: We’re already working on a graphic novel to give listeners a visual reference, and we’re also planning a theatrical concert version within the next six months. We hope to debut it in London, which would be fantastic.

Early Reactions and Future Collaborations

Interviewer (Mike): Since the album’s release, have you received any feedback that’s stood out?

JC Chasez: Everyone close to us has been very encouraging, and it’s satisfying to see the project finally out in the world rather than just sitting on our hard drives. Center Stage Records kept us on track, which was invaluable.

Jimmy Harry: The feedback has been heartwarming. People I wouldn’t have expected to reach out have been incredibly supportive. It’s been amazing to see people connect with this project.

Looking Ahead

Interviewer (Mike): With Playing With Fire complete, are there other stories or themes you’d like to explore together?

JC Chasez: This project has inspired us. We have another piece in the works, but right now, our focus is on bringing Playing With Fire to its full potential.

Jimmy Harry: We have a new piece that’s about 70% written, so once Playing With Fire is fully realized, we’ll dive into that. We’re excited about the future!

As our conversation wrapped up, it was clear that Playing With Fire represents an exciting new chapter for JC Chasez and Jimmy Harry, combining rich, timeless themes with a fresh, dynamic sound.

For those eager to experience this album, it’s now available on streaming platforms and offers an evocative journey into a reimagined Frankenstein.

Here at London Theatre – The West End Guide, we’re looking forward to seeing this project evolve and anticipate a London stage debut in the near future.