East Rockaway resident appears on HGTV holiday show

This holiday season was extra festive for East Rockaway resident Josh Warner, as he appeared on the HGTV show “The Biggest Little Christmas Showdown” on Dec. 4.

The showdown is a four-part reality game show that gives contestants the opportunity to compete by building miniature dollhouses. Warner, 26, has worked as a scenic designer, creating background scenery for Broadway, theater, film and television for eight years.

Although the show — which aired at 9 p.m. — was pre-recorded over the summer, Warner said that he experienced mixed emotions before participating on it because he had to appear on live television for the first time as part of its second episode. Despite being eliminated on that episode, Warner said, it was a fun experience.

“There were no rules and we had to create whatever we wanted on the show which was fun to see,” he said, “but being a scenic designer for theater . . . this was a new journey for me. It was exciting to know that everyone saw what I do behind the scenes, being able to network by meeting new people, and hearing everyone’s love for the episode, and being able to get away for an hour filled my heart.”

For the show, there are nine teams, three finalists and one winner. Only three teams are featured per episode. Each team has two people who work to create dollhouses based on a theme and in each episode, there is a mini challenge.

The winner of the show will receive $50,000 and will get to have their miniature doll house created in real life. 

All the finalists of the two first episodes will compete in the final two episodes, on Dec. 11 and 18 on HGTV. 

With the Broadway theater business shut down due to the pandemic, Warner has been unable to work regularly. However, he said, he was excited when he landed an audition for the show. 

“It was difficult when Broadway shut down because theater is something that I love and I think this show is a heartwarming show about creation and I got the chance to create during a time when people are feeling down — especially those in my field of work,” he said. “The show is a glimmer of hope to inspire the next generation to continue to tell the stories we love to tell.” 

Warner credited his ability to make it on the show to his grandmother, Patricia Gurello, and Ginny Sievers, who was his 11th grade English teacher at East Rockaway High School, because they motivated him to persevere despite the challenges he has faced being out of work.

“I’m flattered to know that I inspired Josh, but he also inspired me because when he was in my English class, few students were as motivated as him,” Sievers, said, adding that she frequently engaged in deep conversations about literature and life with Warner. “I hope Josh enjoyed every minute of his experience on the show, I hope a wider audience continues to rewatch his talents from the show and I hope he always maintains that willingness to try new things, face challenges and to learn.” 

Gurello said she supported Warner throughout his life, especially when his parents were getting a divorce. The pair started going to children’s plays and later to Broadway plays throughout Warner’s childhood, which they continued to do into his adult life before the shutdown.

“I’ll never forget when we went to see his first Broadway play, ‘The Lion King,’ with my three sisters, and we all couldn’t take our eyes off of Josh because of the way his eyes were glued to the stage and everything going on in the play,” Gurello said. “I love Josh’s work and he has taught me a lot about stylistic choices and theories about why designers or artists choose certain stage design choices. I hope Josh goes onto bigger and better things not for my sake, but for him.”