Interview: Andrew Keenan-Bolger's Christmas Concert Marks Many Firsts

Manila, Philippines--Besides being the maiden offering of Jhett Tolentino Productions Inc. (JTPI), "A Very Broadway Christmas in Manila," Broadway lead actor Andrew Keenan-Bolger's Christmas-themed solo concert, also opens the new venue The Globe Auditorium at Maybank Performing Arts Theatre in BGC tomorrow, December 11, at 7 p.m.

Bolger, who originated the role of Crutchie in the original Broadway production of "Newsies" (2012-2014), will also sing a new song from "Newsies" titled "Letter From The Refuge" in front of a large Filipino audience for the first time.

"It's a beautiful song [which was only added to the first U.S. tour of "Newsies (2014-2016)]. It's that song that I always wished I could've performed on Broadway. So every time I get an excuse to sing it, it's always a good one," Bolger told BWW.

Personally, his series of concerts in the Philippines (tomorrow at Maybank Performing Arts Theatre; December 17 at Rose Memorial Auditorium in Iloilo City) paves the way for this "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," according to Bolger, to visit Asia for the first time.

When asked why should people come out to see his first ever show in Asia, he quipped, "It's a great celebration of Broadway, which I think is one of the greatest art forms ever. Together with my special guest, Tanya Manalang ["Miss Saigon"], we'll be doing Broadway songs as well as Christmas carols, some are even in Tagalog [the national language of the Philippines], and some are new songs maybe the audience is not familiar with. It's going to be an incredible night filled with love and laughter, and lots of joy."

On the side, Bolger is also in the country to conduct two one-hour song performance masterclasses, which consist of up to 150 participants in Manila and up to 700 in Iloilo City--his biggest class so far! He said, "I've been lucky to have grown up in the arts; I've been influenced by some amazing teachers and directors whom I worked with back in my hometown, Detroit, Michigan, and in New York City. It's really important to share that with the rest of the world."

"I think being an actor, part of it is also being a teacher. I think that's one of the most rewarding things you can do--pass on the knowledge you've learned from other teachers."

Beyond "A Very Broadway Christmas"

Bolger wears many hats: a Broadway actor since his teenage years ("Seussical," "Beauty and the Beast," "Newsies" and "Tuck Everlasting"); an award-winning digital filmmaker ("Sign," "The Ceiling Fan," and "Submissions Only"), and a co-author of a series of chapter books for middle schoolers ("Jack and Louisa Acts One, Two, and Three").

Among his Broadway roles, it's his take on the 15-year-old crippled boy, Crutchie, in "Newsies" on Broadway that has become his signature role. "It's been amazing! I think Jeremy [Jordan] and I were the only members of the original cast who were at the very first reading of "Newsies" [at Papermill Playhouse]. I got to really develop this character all along the way. So it's not surprising that's a role that a lot of people think when they think of me. I'm so similar to that character. I was able to bring so many of the character's aspects that I likened myself to that role."

"When I first looked at the script, the character was so sweet, angelic-like, heroic crippled kid. I thought that was interesting, but I thought it would be more interesting if he'd be a little bit more sarcastic, really tough as nails, a wisecracking guy, which I think I am, and that sort of became what the character turned into," he recalled.

As luck would have it, Bolger, as Crutchie, will finally be able to sing "Letter From The Refuge" on a "Newsies" stage when Fathom Events and Disney Theatrical Productions run the theatrical release of "Newsies" across the United States, the U.K. and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany in February 2017. "It's so rarely that you get to revisit a role ever, especially it has been four years since we opened on Broadway. Immediately after I closed the show on Broadway, while sitting on a subway or walking down the street, I was thinking of little ideas I wished I'd done with that character. Revisiting it, I was sort of bringing my whole life experience back to that role. It felt like doing it for the first time," he said.

In filming "Newsies," "we joined the road company and filmed in Los Angeles. The movie ended up like a big gathering of "Newsies" casts from the original Broadway production and Broadway replacements to the original cast of the tour and tour replacements. They even added like six or seven tracks.

"You'll see 'Seize The Day,' and it's really mindblowing--that many boys on that stage all dancing as one. It's really exciting!"

Catch Bolger's Philippine concert tour this Christmas season (for tickets, send a private message at JTPI on Facebook) and his much-awaited return to "Newsies" across cinemas in the U.S., the U.K. and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany (for tickets, visit NewsiesTheMusical.com)

Bonus Feature: Fast Talk with Andrew Keenan-Bolger

BWW: If you were a new addition to the current Broadway season, what role would you like to play?

AKB: I wouldn't want to be in anything except in "Dear Evan Hansen." I think it's one of the best musicals that have come along.

BWW: What do you think when you're alone in the dressing room?

AKB: The lyrics of "Kumukutikutitap" [a tongue twister Tagalog Christmas song]

BWW: What was the last opening night gift you gave to someone?

AKB: For "Tuck Everlasting" I made a Jesse Tuck mixtape, which contains songs about being 17, songs that inspired me that I would always jam to as I was getting ready for the show.

BWW: What was the last movie you watched on your flight to Manila?

AKB: I watched "Little Man," "The Shallows," and "Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two."

BWW: What was the best advice you got from one of your Broadway heroes?

AKB: My sister is my biggest Broadway hero. She told me a piece of advice when I was younger: The most important that you can do as an actor is to learn how to navigate the graceful execution of "Plan B" because so much in this world are the things unexpected. Don't pin all of your hopes on one project and it ends up not happening, or the show ends up closing. Being able to pick yourself back up again and keep moving forward is the most important thing you can do.

BWW: What was the funniest thing that happened to you on or off stage?

AKB: When I was in "Newsies," there's a scene before "Seize the Day" when I'm supposed to come out with a "Strike" sign attached to my crutch; it was always my responsibility to "velcro" it on to my crutch. Then one show I came out and realized I didn't have it! And there's this whole scene all about it like "Hey, Jack, look what I've made." There were like six lines about it. I couldn't just improv it!

BWW: If you didn't have a Broadway or filmmaking career, what could have been your backup plan?

AKB: I could be a teacher. My mom was a kindergarten teacher; my dad taught Spanish.

BWW: What inspires you?

AKB: Seeing other people perform inspires me. I couldn't be a good performer if just relied on my own talents. Seeing what other brave choices other actors are making gives me the strength to be bold in auditions and to approach roles in different kind of ways.

BWW: How would you rate your memory when memorizing show lines and lyrics?

AKB: I usually record myself saying lines and I'll just plug in my iPhone and walk around the city. The same with learning music, I'll just play it on loop over and over again.

BWW: Estimate how many buildings are there in Manhattan.

AKB: 10,000? I've no idea!

Photos: Oliver Oliveros, Arvin Lim, Disney Theatrical Productions, Matthew Murphy, and Andrew Keenan-Bolger