Joaquin Pedro Valdes to Charm Philippine Audience in Into The Woods
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the diffTheatre Group Asia (TGA) announces London-based theater and film actor Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Prince Charming/Wolf in its production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods slated this August at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT).
After years of working in the West End, Valdes shares, “Performing in the Philippines again and on this incredible scale, alongside this fantastic cast, is truly special. Being back home and on stage is a full-circle moment. Philippine theater is where it all started for me, and to return to it after all these years is inexplicably profound. While my life in London has deeply shaped me into the actor I am today, it has always been a dream to bring all that experience back home if only to say, ‘thank you’.”
Into The Woods* is based on James Lapine’s book, who also directed the original Broadway run. The plot intertwines several fairy tale characters and dramatically portrays the impact of human choices and actions.
On playing Prince Charming/ Wolf, Valdes notes, “It’s such a well-written character. I’m excited to visit this modern classic with a distinctly Filipino lens alongside Filipino theater makers I’ve loved and respected for a long time.” He reminisces, “I have been in love with this show all my life. This was my introduction to Sondheim. I remember when I was a young boy in Manila, watching a filmed performance of the 1986 Broadway cast on Betamax! That started a fire in me for musical theater, and it continues to keep me going.”
Behind this production of Into The Woods is Tony Award-winning visionary Clint Ramos, who serves as overall artistic and creative director alongside co-producers John and Joanna Echauz, and S-PAT Executive Director Chris Mohnani. The show is directed by Chari Arespacochaga.
For more information about Into The Woods, please visit www.theatregroupasia.com, or follow Facebook and Instagram @theatregroupasia.
*Into the Woods is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), New York, NU, USA. All authorized performance materials are supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
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MORE ABOUT JOAQUIN PEDRO VALDES:
Joaquin Pedro Valdes is currently with the London premiere of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at The Other Palace playing Luke Castellan and Ares. This is immediately following the exciting new Menier Chocolate Factory revival of The Baker’s Wife where he played Dominique directed by Gordon Greenberg.
Recent credits include a record-breaking run as John Manjiro in the critically acclaimed revival of Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures at the Menier Chocolate Factory. He also originated the role of Light Yagami in the highly successful English language premiere of Death Note the Musical in the West End. Additional credits include Rufus Griswold in The House of Edgar (Seven Dials Playhouse), Stephen Hayes in Then, Now & Next (Southwark Playhouse); Connor in Killing The Cat (Riverside Studios); Heathers The Musical (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Vanara The Legend (Hackney Empire), Disney’s The Lion King (UK/Ireland Tour), The King and I (UK/International Tour), Fanny & Stella The Musical (Vauxhall). With extensive theatre credits in the Philippines, Joaquin has been seen in the Manila Premieres of Matilda (Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group), Vanya Sonia Masha & Spike (Repertory Philippines), John Logan’s RED (The Necessary Theatre), The Last 5 Years (9Works Theatrical), Into The Woods (New Voice Company), Kinky Boots (Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group), and Spring Awakening (Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group). Philippine television and film credits include Red (CinemaOne), Niño (Cinemalaya), Dagim (CinemaOne), I.T.A.L.Y (GMA Films), Breakfast (Studio 23), Wazzup Wazzup (Studio 23), 100% Pinoy (GMA 7), ASAP (ABSCBN). As a recording artist, he was part of the Philippine boyband 17:28 (Star Records) before releasing his solo album The Jazzanova Project (Vicor Music).erence.
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