Vincent Rodriguez III marks his homecoming to the Philippines with the Asia premiere of his solo show at 6 p.m. on Thursday, 6 March, at 12 Monkeys, Estancia Capitol Commons, Pasig. Rodriguez is internationally recognized for his portrayal as Josh Chan on the CW’s Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning comedy-drama series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Rodriguez says it is very meaningful for him to go back to his roots, to expand and to take up some space and do new things. 

“I’ve never been in a musical in Manila. I haven’t filmed a movie here, a TV show. I haven’t been a model. There’s a lot of things I haven’t explored yet that I’m very interested in because I’m curious. I don’t want to waste all this energy and enthusiasm that I have for what I do,” Rodriguez said in an exclusive interview on TribuneNOW’s Spotlight.

“This intimate evening is unlike anything I’ve ever done before. Personal stories behind the scenes of my career from stage to screen, from my 11 years in New York City to my breakout in television in Hollywood,” Rodriguez said.

“We’re going to have a fun time and I’m going to take you on a journey. It’s a live show, not just any live show. It’s not a play. It’s not a musical. It’s going to be an experience, a live experience where anything can happen. And I do magic,” Rodriguez said. “I’m not going to perform at you. I’m going to be with you. I’m going to share these moments, these songs I learned, these dances. I’m going to talk about where they came from. I’m going to talk about how they serendipitously were a reflection of my past and how all those moments about childhood.”

With his more recent roles as Henry Cruz in Prime Video’s With Love, where he plays a bisexual; and Zian Harrelson on The Hallmark Channel’s Christmas on Cherry Lane and its sequel Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane, Rodriguez is a beacon for diversity, equity, inclusion, neurodiversity and educational outreach. He has portrayed Filipino men who are openly bisexual and gay in loving relationships on mainstream shows. His credits include playing a gay ghost named Jeff in Disney Channel’s Season 2 animated series The Ghost & Molly McGee and a father named Val on the Disney+ animated series Kindergarten The Musical.

“My stories will focus on my struggles, self-discovery and mental health discoveries whilst finding myself and my tribe as a member of both the LGBTQIA+ and Asian American and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities throughout my 20-year career.” 

A rich, abundant life

Rodriguez is the only son and youngest member of his family who was not born in Manila. He has three sisters and grew up in Daly City, whom he would affectionately call the West Covina in San Francisco when he auditioned for the role of Josh Chan. It felt similar to Josh growing up in Daly City because there was a lot of diversity, a lot of Filipinos. He felt his childhood was very typical.  

Born to a businessman father and a pageant contestant mother, Rodriguez recalls that the first note he played on the piano was in C major because it’s easier to play the right keys, while the Phantom of the Opera was his musical.

Before moving to Los Angeles, he was a stage actor in New York City for Off-Broadway, regional theater and national tours. He has numerous original and studio cast recordings.

He graduated from the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts in 2003. Throughout his career, Rodriguez has taken time between performing, teaching, mentoring and speaking at high schools, colleges and performing arts programs. He has taught workshops and intensives in audition technique, song interpretation, Broadway and musical dance repertoire, on-camera acting and mock auditions (singing, dancing, or acting). He helps empower students and artists, sharing the tools and inspiring insights to build confidence to reach their personal best to compete in challenging jobs in the show business industry.

“I’m very passionate about my history and the things I’ve gotten to do. I don’t want to hold on to it. I want to share it. I lived a whole, rich, abundant life by doing Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and it exposed me to a lot of people from all over the world. And so, for me, giving back to the community isn’t just like volunteering, but it’s also meeting the people who appreciate the art and who want to participate in all levels regardless if you’re not a professional dancer,” Rodriguez said.

Presented by DMH Mendoza Productions (DMHM), Rodriguez’s solo show will feature songs, dance, stories and a bit of magic. Co-producers of Broadway musicals Here Lies Love and SMASH, Don Michael H. Mendoza and Lora Nicolas Olaes (co-producer) will grace the VIP pre-show reception as hosts.

“My company and I are so honored that Vincent chose us as the vehicle to make this very special night possible. We are also always happy to support people who align with our mission and vision for DMH Mendoza Productions, which prioritizes lifting underrepresented communities,” Mendoza said.

“Discipline comes from love. Discipline is fueled by love. You don’t have to do it for the profession. Sometimes you can do it because you love it. Dreams belong to you, and no one can dream for you,” Rodriguez said.