Josh Dela Cruz Joins ‘Into the Woods’ as Prince Charming/The Wolf

Josh Dela Cruz Joins ‘Into the Woods’ as Prince Charming/The Wolf

Josh Dela Cruz, best known for playing a fictional version of himself in Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues & You, is joining Theatre Group Asia’s staging of Into the Woods as Prince Charming/The Wolf. He will be replacing Joaquin Pedro Valdes, who was originally announced for the role but will no longer be part of the production due to scheduling conflicts.

Dela Cruz’s theater credits include playing Aladdin in the Broadway production. He initially joined the cast as an understudy and ensemble member before eventually taking over the title role. He was also part of the Public Theater’s staging of Here Lies Love and appeared in Merrily We Roll Along at New York City Center Encores!, under the direction of Into the Woods book writer and original director James Lapine.

On performing in his first musical in the Philippines, Dela Cruz shares, “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!”

Of his Filipino roots, he expounds, “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 playing Cinderella’s Prince Charming/The Wolf, he shares, “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.”

Into the Woods will run at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati from August 7 to 31. It is currently sold out.