PHILIPPINE STAR EXCLUSIVE:

Theatre Group Asia's Into the Woods has started its rehearsals in earnest with the arrival of Josh Dela Cruz, playing Cinderella's Prince and The Wolf, generating a great deal of excitement for the Stephen Sondheim musical that is set to open on Aug. 7 at Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

- RICKY TOLEDO & CHITO VIJANDRE

Josh, after all, landed the coveted role of host in the groundbreaking show, Blue's Clues and You, after besting 3,000 hopefuls that included Hollywood star John Cena—a milestone for Filipino Americans.

Forbes lauded his "changing the face of children's television" while a related movie, Blue's Big City Adventure earned him a New York Times review that called him "spectacular, bringing unbridled charisma" and "the real highlight of the film."

On Broadway, he was a powerhouse triple threat, playing Aladdin in the Disney musical hit and performing in The King and I and Here Lies Love.

He was actually directed by Into the Woods book author and original director James Lapine in Merrily We Roll Along.

He has helped develop shows such as the Tony Award-winning Maybe Happy Ending and has conducted numerous workshops under the direction of legendary theater stalwarts.

People magazine named him one of the sexiest newcomers in 2021, a title bolstered by thirsty tweets calling attention to his "big biceps" and even requesting for "photos of his feet."

Josh was born in Dubai to Bicolano and Ilocano parents who immigrated to the US and settled in New Jersey where he graduated from Montclair State University with a BFA in Musical Theater and studied film and television with Bob Krakower.

Josh has occasionally visited the Philippines, once as an environmentalist in support of the Masungi Georeserve.

Into the Woods will be his first appearance in Philippine theater, in a production helmed by Tony Award-winning visionary Clint Ramos as overall artistic and creative director alongside co-producers John and Joanna Echauz, TGA executive director Chris Mohnani and director Chari Arespacochaga.

Flying straight to Manila after traveling all over Africa, Josh took time out to answer some questions, exclusive to Philippine STAR Lifestyle: