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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. >> A local native is coming full circle with can upcoming run of shows at Proctors in the popular musical “Wicked”.
Anthony Festa, originally from Ballston Spa, grew up attending shows at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady.
Over the years, Festa has graced many local stages, followed by more around the country and globe as his career began to take off - but this week he makes his debut at Proctors.
It will be Festa’s first time performing on the local Proctors stage, but some of his last shows as part of the touring cast for “Wicked”.
After a year and a half in the “Wicked” ensemble, he’s decided to close this chapter of his life and move on to new opportunities in the theater world.
Festa shared his story thus far with his hometown community before hitting the road to Schenectady with “Wicked”, opened Wednesday and runs through March 12 at Proctors.
• Growing up in this local community, and specifically the theater community, was there anything that you think helped you get to where you are today?
Yeah, I’ve done thater all over locally. At Schuylerville Community Theater. I got to play the Artful Dodger in “Oliver.” That’s kind of when the bug bit me and I realized ‘This is a possibility. This is what I want to do with my life.’ I also worked at Home Made Theater at Saratoga State Park. I played Aladdin in “Aladdin” there. And all of the musicals I did in high school, the teachers that were there to help me along the way. I was always a jock and and artist at the same time, so it was kind of an interesting complex world filled with all different sorts of friends.
• Are there any teachers that stand out to you, thinking back?
Valerie Lord. She’s a retired music teacher from Ballston Spa High School. She’s pretty awesome.
• So, after graduating from Ballston Spa High School did you go on to theater school?
Yeah, after high school I went to SUNY Cortland and majored in musical theater for four years.
• And how did you get to where you are today?
From there, I did some regional gigs and I ended up going to New York City and working on a cruise ship. I had a cruise ship job for Royal Caribbean International. I did two separate contracts there, and when I got done with that I moved to the city completely.
• And you’ve been there for six years now, right?
Yeah. After that I kept working in the business. I did my first New York gig I was in “Bare,” the musical, a commercial off-Broadway show at New World Stages in New York City. Then after that I ended up getting Tony in “West Side Story,” which is one of the most classic musicals you could ever think of, and that was the European tour. I go to made my West End debut in London. We played there for 12 weeks. • Had you traveled to Europe before that?
No, that was my first time. We did a lot of Germany, Italy, France. It was really a lot of fun.
• What are you looking forward to about these upcoming local performances?
It’s kind of cool coming home to Proctors. It’s almost like a dream of mine. I’ve seen over 30 productions there. My dad and my mom used to take my there all of the time. My father actually passed away about a year ago, but I know if he was still around he would just be bragging about me like crazy all over town. But, yeah, it’s definitely a full-circle moment for me to play that theater. It’s a beautiful venue.
• Had you ever seen “Wicked” at Proctors before?
I did, in 2012. Isn’t that funny?
• Had you wanted to be in this show before you were given the opportunity?
I always thought it was a possibility, but, yeah. It’s more of a reality, obviously now. It’s a beautiful show.
• What do you like most about “Wicked”?
For some reason it still resonates. It still rings true. Even with what’s going on in the world today, I think it’s a beautiful and empowering message of friendship between Elphaba and Glinda. A positive complex relationship between two women, which is rarely depicted in entertainment.
• So, will you be staying at home while you’re here in the Capital Region?
Yeah. Isn’t that awesome? I get to live at home and I get my momma’s Italian cooking. I can’t wait for that. And I’m an uncle, so I get to be with my little niece. It’s going to be a good time for family and a reminder of where I came from.
• What’s your plan for after “Wicked”?
Well, there are irons in the fire, but we’ll see. Back to New York. Back to see what’s next.
• What’s your goal for your future?
To find something that is going to artistically fulfill me and keep me within the means of telling stories that impact people’s lives and hopefully send good messages throughout the world.
For more information about the upcoming performances of “Wicked” at Proctors, or to purchase tickets, log on to www.proctors.org.