Flying in the face of fear with Johanna Pinzler

If you’re a long-time Picker, you’ve surely had a chance to get swept up in Johanna Pinzler’s infectious laughter and smooth approach to even the most challenging parts. She knows the ins and outs of this summer soiree not just from her time on stage but in the many ways in which she takes care of this event year after year. Cheers to Johanna’s 20+ years and here’s to many more!

Cherry Picking turns 25 this year - which means it’s due for a quarter-life crisis. What advice would you give to your past or future 25 year old self, or to Cherry Picking right now?

25 is a fantastic age. You are young enough to have an abundance of physical and emotional energy and old enough to (hopefully) have started to figure out that you still have everything to learn. Hope is your friend. Try all the things now while you are brave and still a little bit stupid. Hold on to your friends. They are more important and valuable than you can possibly imagine.

It’s our Silver Anniversary this year – if you had your own metal band what would you call it?

Hot Flash.

Tell us about the last time you tried something brand new?

The fact that I can't answer this means I now have a mission for this week.

What is your CP core memory?

I've officially been here a long time so I can't pick just one. A favorite early play that pops to mind is CATCHING CLOWN by Kevin Jones which (I believe) marks the beginning of my long and storied history of being cast as spouse/scene partner to the lovely Robbie Weinstein. But I think the thing that I will never tire of is introducing past students just entering the professional world to the madhouse that is CP and watching them fall in love, be inspired and become life long pickers themselves.

If Cherry Picking were a cocktail (or mocktail), what would be in it?

Oh please, prosecco of course. Probably hastily opened by me and Clare.... but let's throw in some booze soaked cherries and put it in a fancy glass for funsies.

Describe your summer 2025 using only emojis.

  😡 🍒🙃🙄🫠🦷

What’s keeping you going right now? 

I don't love how long I had to think about this. Things are pretty sucky out there right now. I love my people. My people are great.

Don’t miss Johanna back on the CP stage: Monday, July 14 and on Wednesday, July 16th. Be sure to get on that waitlist so you don’t miss out!