Theatre Group Asia recently announced that Fil-Am thespian and tv host Josh Dela Cruz will step into the role of Prince Charming/The Wolf in its production of Into The Woods, this coming August at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre.
Dela Cruz is a powerhouse triple threat who burst into the international theatre scene in the Broadway adaptation of the Disney global hit- Aladdin. He began as an understudy and part of the ensemble but he eventually landed the title role because of his prowess.
His other roles include characters in Here Lies Love, The King and I and Merrily We Roll Along.
Additionally, he has helped develop shows such as the Tony Award-winning musical "Maybe Happy Ending." He has conducted numerous workshops under the direction of legendary stalwarts in theatre, including Christopher Ashley, Sarna Lapine and Bill Berry. Dela Cruz graduated from Montclair State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and studied film and television with famed acting coach Bob Krakower. In 2021, he was named as one of People Magazine's Sexiest Newcomers. The New York Times has described him as "Spectacular," while Forbes has written about Dela Cruz as the one "... changing the face of children's television."
Most recognizable for playing a fictional version of himself in Nickleodeon's Emmy Award-winning show Blue's Clues & You!, he is a bonafide cult star widely known among young families worldwide, especially with the little ones who watched the iconic show. Hosting the program since 2019, he gets to celebrate his Filipino-American heritage and culture in the show, introducing his fictional lola and familiarizing viewers with Filipino cuisine favorites like bibingka. He follows Steve Burns and Donoban Patton (Joe) as the iconic show's host, besting over 3,000 auditioners vying for the coveted role. In 2022, he also starred in the feature film- Blue's Big City Adventure, where Josh and Blue travel to NYC to audition, hoping to star in a major Broadway musical. The movie also saw him teaming up with the show's past hosts, Steve and Joe. Dela Cruz has also played roles in shows like Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intents, CBS' Bull, ABC's Time After Time and Netflix's Fubar.
Born in UAE, Dela Cruz has a Bicolano and Ilocano parents. They then moved to the US where he discovered his passion for arts (music and acting). His other passions include photography, fitness and health- he's a vegan and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, and a strong voice that advocates for diversity and inclusion.
He visited the Philippines occasionally and during one of his visits, he joined fellow environmentalist in support of the preservation of Masungi Georeserve.
TGA's Into The Woods production will be his first time to perform in the Philippines. "I'm so honored to join the cast on 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 by kababayans," he said. "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."
On being cast as Prince Charming/ The Wolf, "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."
At the helm of Into The Woods is Clint Ramos as overall artistic director alongside co-producers John and Joanna Echauz, and Chris Mohnani as Executive Director. The show is directed by Chari Arespacochaga.
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