Josh Dela Cruz. Image: Courtesy of Theatre Group Asia
Filipino-American actor Josh Dela Cruz — best known for portraying a fictionalized version of himself in the hit kids’ show “Blue’s Clues” — is joining the Philippine staging of “Into the Woods” as Prince Charming and The Wolf.
Dela Cruz’s casting was announced by Theatre Group Asia in a press statement. According to the actor, “Into The Woods” will be his first theatrical production in the country.
“I’m so honored to join the cast of ‘Into The Woods.’ It has always been a dream of mine to perform a musical in the Philippines. Getting the opportunity to perform with Filipino legends is icing on the cake. I can’t wait to share this story with my Kababayans,” he said.
Dela Cruz has long been active in the entertainment industry as an actor in theater, TV, and film. Aside from “Blue’s Clues,” he also appeared in “Blue’s Big City Adventure, “Law and Order,” “Toronto: Criminal Intent,” “Bull,” “Time After Time,” and “Fubar.”
But the actor is notable for his work in theater, where he took part in “Here Lies Love,” “The King and I,” “Aladdin,” “Merrily We Roll,” and “Maybe Happy Ending,” to name a few.
Aside from being a theater actor, he also helped in holding workshops under the direction of industry greats such as Christopher Ashley, Sarna Lapine, and Bill Berry.
Born to Bicolano and Ilocano parents, Dela Cruz shared that he occasionally visited the Philippines and has particularly expressed his support for the preservation of the Masungi Georeserve.
“I was often one of the only Filipinos in my class growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey. I can’t wait to be immersed in Filipino culture and be surrounded by the people. I look forward to learning more about myself through the audience, the cast, and the city,” he added.
Touching on the local staging of “Into the Woods,” he also shared that he is excited to explore the “loss of innocence” and coping with the “consequences of change.”
“I love the way ‘Into the Woods’ explores the loss of innocence and presents the consequences of how we deal with that change. We can either dwell on it or choose to be present, move forward, and live our lives to the fullest. It’s a simple idea, but something I try to remind myself of every day,” he said.
Also part of “Into The Woods” Manila are Lea Salonga, Eugene Domingo, Nic Chien, Mark Bautista, Nyoy Volante, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Arielle Jacobs, and Carla Guevera Laforteza, among many others.
The musical will be staged at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City from August 7 to 24. Six additional shows were added from August 28 to 31 due to demand. /edv
