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Dela Cruz — who will play the dual role of the Prince and the Wolf — looks forward to performing in the Philippines alongside Filipino legends
MANILA, Philippines — Broadway actor and television host Josh Dela Cruz is officially joining the cast of Into the Woods, Theatre Group Asia announced on Thursday, June 27.
Dela Cruz will play the dual role of Cinderella’s Prince — the charming but fickle love interest of the princess — and the predatory Wolf who tempts Little Red Riding Hood.
Built on the works of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, the musical, which interweaves several classic fairy tales into a single story, will run this August at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City.
“It has always been a dream of mine to perform a musical in the Philippines,” Dela Cruz shared. “Getting the opportunity to perform with Filipino legends is icing on the cake. I can’t wait to share this story with my Kababayans!”
Though this will be his first performance on a Philippine stage, Dela Cruz has long been a familiar face to families around the world. Since 2019, he has starred as the host of Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues & You!, where he celebrates his Filipino-American heritage onscreen, introducing young viewers to dishes like bibingka and characters like his lola.
Born in the United Arab Emirates to Bicolano and Ilocano parents, and raised in New Jersey, Dela Cruz trained in musical theater at Montclair State University. He made his Broadway debut in Aladdin as an understudy before stepping into the titular role, and has since appeared in productions like Here Lies Love, The King and I, and Merrily We Roll Along.
He replaces London-based Filipino actor Joaquin Pedro Valdes, who was previously cast in the same roles.
Dela Cruz joins a star-studded cast that includes Lea Salonga as The Witch, Eugene Domingo bringing her sharp comic timing as Jack’s Mother, and Carla Guevara Laforteza as the Giant and Little Red Riding Hood’s Granny.
Rounding out the lineup are Broadway’s Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella, real-life couple Nyoy Volante and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as the Baker and the Baker’s Wife, and Mark and Joreen Bautista as the princely pair from Rapunzel’s tale.
Directed by Chari Arespacochaga with artistic direction by Tony Award-winner Clint Ramos, Into the Woods runs from August 7 to 24, with additional shows from August 28 to 31.
All tickets are currently sold out. – with reports by Angela Divina/Rappler.com
Angela Divina is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the Ateneo de Manila University.
