{"id":13711,"date":"2014-11-21T10:25:32","date_gmt":"2014-11-21T15:25:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/news\/article.php?ArticleID=13711"},"modified":"2014-11-21T10:25:32","modified_gmt":"2014-11-21T15:25:32","slug":"13711_star-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/2014\/11\/21\/13711_star-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Star Power!"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the curtain rose on November 18 for Honeymoon in Vegas<\/em> on Broadway, headliner Rob McClure became the second former Montclair State student to currently be performing on the Great White Way. Just down the street, alumnus Joshua Dela Cruz has a role in the Broadway hit Aladdin<\/em>. The two are among a number of former Montclair Staters performing in shows all across the country.<\/p>\n

In October, McClure began rehearsals for Honeymoon in Vegas,<\/em> the new musical that promises \u201cWhat Happens in Vegas…comes to Broadway.\u201d McClure, who received a 2013 Tony nomination for his critically acclaimed performance in the title role of Chaplin<\/em>, is one of many talented Red Hawks who credit the University with planting the seeds of their success.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy studies at Montclair State definitely helped develop and shape the skills I now use in my career,\u201d says McClure. His advice to those who wish to follow in his footsteps is simple: \u201cUse your education to figure out who you are and who you are not. Stop trying to be the performers you admire. You don\u2019t want to be a second-rate Idina Menzel. You want to be a first-rate you!\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Montclair State Musical Theatre Professor Clay James, the success of any program ultimately reflects the first-rate talents of the students it attracts. \u201cThis is especially true of the Musical Theatre program,\u201d he says. \u201cDedicated support from the administration, faculty and surrounding community; diversity in programming; as well as outstanding facilities like the Kasser Theater have allowed Musical Theatre at Montclair State to soar along an unparalleled trajectory.\u201d<\/p>\n

High Adventure<\/strong>
The career of Joshua Dela Cruz \u201911 has taken off with the Broadway hit Aladdin<\/em>. He\u2019s been a member of the show\u2019s ensemble cast from the start \u2013 from out-of-town trial run to Broadway opening. \u201cI play various townspeople and servants throughout, but for most of the show I\u2019m a palace guard who chases Aladdin. I fall down, get tripped or hit \u2013 being a guard in a fictional city is tough,\u201d he jokes. \u201cI also understudy Aladdin, so some days I don\u2019t get tripped, or fall or get hit, which is fun, too.\u201d So is performing in \u201cHigh Adventure,\u201d a big, swashbuckling number that he reports is a blast to do every night. <\/p>\n

In his first role after graduating from Montclair State, Dela Cruz played Lun Tha, across from Lou Diamond Phillips and Rachel Bay Jones in The King and I<\/em>. \u201cIt was one of the greatest learning experiences I\u2019ve had,\u201d he recalls. He followed that with roles in Here Lies Love<\/em> and Stephen Sondheim\u2019s Merrily We Roll Along<\/em>. <\/p>\n

Dela Cruz reports his Broadway debut in Aladdin<\/em> was more magical than he ever imagined, despite an unexpected setback. \u201cI tore my meniscus and had surgery during the out-of-town trial. But with the support of the cast and crew, I was back in the show two days after opening night and a day before my birthday,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n

The young actor owes much of his success to Montclair State\u2019s Musical Theatre program. \u201cI can confidently say that it gave me the tools I needed to come to New York to audition, work and continue to hone my skills as a performer. It\u2019s a gift to be able to study theater at a college level, let alone pursue it as a career,\u201d he says. For Dela Cruz, the biggest challenges arise between shows. \u201cIt\u2019s when you\u2019re not working that you really have to know yourself. Cultivate interests outside of theater. They not only enrich your life, but ultimately will enrich your work on the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dancing for Life<\/strong>
Evan Ruggiero\u2019s story touched millions when he appeared on the Season 12 opening episode of American Idol <\/em>in 2013. The Musical Theatre major had lost his right leg to osteosarcoma during his sophomore year. \u201cIdol<\/em> was a great experience, but I can\u2019t credit it with any of my current success,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen it comes to this career, putting in the work and hours of perfecting your craft will get you farther than being on a reality television show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ruggiero says a tap-dancing performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show<\/em> put him on his current career path. Inspired by his experience on Ellen<\/em>, he subsequently crafted his own show. \u201cNow in my performances, I play various instruments, as well as sing and tap to original music,\u201d he explains. <\/p>\n

Montclair State also played a starring role in training him as a performer. \u201cI was able to focus on my craft and build upon that each year through classes and by being a part of 10 musical productions,\u201d he recalls. \u201cMontclair State will always be home for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Ruggiero, musical theater was the \u201csuper-food\u201d that helped him lick cancer. \u201cI used to get chemo during the day and then I\u2019d perform in Sweet Charity<\/em> at night. I made sure I didn\u2019t miss one show,\u201d he says. \u201cClay James took a chance on me during that time. I\u2019ll never know why, but he did. And he gave me a pep talk that assured me I can do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since graduating in December 2013, Ruggiero has been busy. He performed in Panic! The Musical<\/em> in Manhattan and in his own solo show debut at 54 Below in the city. \u201cFor the next three months, I\u2019ll be performing, speaking and teaching master classes in Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and Brazil.\u201d <\/p>\n

Ruggiero clearly loves what he does, which is perhaps the biggest secret of his success. \u201cDo this because it makes you happy, because it makes people smile and because it\u2019s genuine,\u201d he advises would-be performers.<\/p>\n

Red Hawk Sister \u2013 and Brother \u2013 Act<\/strong>
For Tara Tagliaferro \u201910, the University has provided a tremendous support system. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

She and fellow alumna Wonu Ogunfowora \u201914 are ensemble cast members in Sister Act<\/em>, which launched a national tour in Wilmington, Delaware, on October 14 and which will be traveling to the State Theatre in New Brunswick for performances on December 12 and 13, and to the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown from January 31 to February 1, 2015. Nicholas Rodriguez \u201914 is cast as Pablo in the same production. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s amazing to have the same roots as other performers in Sister Act<\/em> \u2013 we had an instant connection,\u201d says Tagliaferro. \u201cIt makes me proud of the talent and good people Montclair State is putting out in the world! Both Wonu and Nic are magic to watch!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ogunfowora, who plays Tina, a nun, and who is also the understudy for Deloris, the lead character, attributes her success to the University. \u201cI do believe my studies at Montclair State helped me land the role,\u201d she says. \u201cI learned a lot during the four years I spent in the program that I wouldn\u2019t have otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dreams of a White Christmas<\/strong>
Amanda Phillips, who earned a BFA degree in Musical Theatre in 2011, also began rehearsals for a national tour in October. She is in the ensemble cast of White Christmas<\/em>, which will be touring six cities between November 4, 2014 and January 4, 2015. <\/p>\n

Phillips, who has had steady work performing around the country in productions of such classic musicals as Grease<\/em>, West Side Story<\/em>, Spamalot<\/em> and Legally Blonde<\/em>, forged lasting friendships as a student at Montclair State. \u201cWe were just a bunch of oddballs who loved musical theatre and each other,\u201d she recalls. She advises aspiring performers to always look inward. \u201cNo one owes you anything. You have to be open to all the possibilities out there, whether it\u2019s performing, directing, or writing. There\u2019s always something around the corner \u2013 and it\u2019s never what you expect.\u201d <\/p>\n

One Singular Sensation<\/strong>
Sharrod Williams graduated in 2012 with a double major in Dance and Communication Studies. \u201cI\u2019ve been fortunate to have gotten the best of two worlds by performing with various professional dance companies and in musicals since graduation,\u201d he says. His credits include playing Richie Walters in the 2012-2013 national tour of A Chorus Line<\/em>, where he performed alongside fellow Red Hawks Bonnie Kelly \u201911 and Joseph Rosario \u201913. <\/p>\n

Williams first played Richie Walters in Montclair State\u2019s 2011 performance of the musical. \u201cClay James offering me the chance to play Richie was an eye-opening, life-changing experience,\u201d he recalls. \u201cIt was the first time I found I could combine my previous vocal training, dance training, and add acting to tell a story. I remember feeling like a complete artist and being completely bitten by the musical theatre bug.\u201d <\/p>\n

He just completed the 2nd International Tour of Bring It On: The Musical<\/em>, where he played La Cienega, a transgender student. Also in the cast, was fellow Red Hawk Nadia Vynnytsky \u201911, who played Campbell. \u201cPerforming alongside Nadia was a dream come true. She is a super star with a talent that is seasoned and consistent. I\u2019m so grateful to have become close friends off stage during the tour,\u201d Williams says. <\/p>\n

Williams intends to enjoy a long-lasting career as a performer. \u201cBeing an artist goes beyond the classroom,\u201d he explains. \u201cSome of the best lessons and techniques I\u2019ve learned have been on the job. You never ever stop learning.\u201d Equally important is maintaining a focus. \u201cWhatever is meant to be, will be,\u201d he says. \u201cSo I\u2019ll enjoy the ride.\u201d <\/p>\n

Feeling the Love<\/strong>
Jelani Remy has been playing the role of Simba in various productions of The Lion King<\/em> since 2009, including a performance attended by First Lady Michelle Obama. \u201cIt was completely humbling and inspiring to meet her,\u201d he says. \u201cThat day was probably one of the best in my life and career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like so many of his fellow performers, Remy gives kudos to Clay James for helping him launch his career. \u201cThe experiences, challenges and lessons he \u2013 and other members of the faculty \u2013 gave me provided incredible preparation for the reality and demands of the business.\u201d <\/p>\n

For those who share his dream to succeed on stage, his advice is simple. \u201cBe fearless and never forget why we do what we do. And lay off the Red Hawk Diner!\u201d <\/p>\n

Forging a Path to Success<\/strong>
\u201cAlways stay true to who you are and make sure you have other things in life that inspire you. There is no right way to do this and everyone\u2019s path is different,\u201d advises Adam Bashian \u201911, who is currently a swing performer on the national tour of Phantom of the Opera<\/em>, where he often performs several different roles in any given week.<\/p>\n

Bashian\u2019s path has led him to performances in plays and musicals, as well as television and radio spots. \u201cI starred as Sky in Guys and Dolls<\/em> at the Broward Stagedoor Theater in Florida, and I\u2019ve performed at City Center in Manhattan in On Your Toes <\/em>and in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Yeoman of the Guard<\/em>,\u201d he says. Bashian has appeared in the Netflix hit House of Cards<\/em>, as well as in a Ford commercial. <\/p>\n

He is especially excited to have a first refusal right for a role he has developed in In Transit, an a capella musical, that is slated to hit Broadway sometime in the future. <\/p>\n

None of this would have been possible without his training at Montclair State. \u201cIt provided me with a safe and supportive training space to figure out who I was as a performer and a person,\u201d he explains. \u201cI especially owe a lot of my success to my voice teacher Stephen Oosting and, of course, Clay James. Both of them inspired me and extracted things from me that I would never have discovered on my own.\u201d <\/p>\n

While Bashian tries not to make long \u2013 term goals, he hopes to continue doing theater with talented people. \u201cFor now,\u201d he says, \u201cI am exactly where I want to be.\u201d <\/p>\n

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