In the musical “Wicked,” which is running at the CCP, actor Jay Laga’aia plays the Wizard, a character who is longing for a family. In real life, Jay is a father of eight.
The New Zealand-born Samoan actor has appeared in numerous films and TV shows in New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” and “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,” where he played Padme Amidala’s (Natalie Portman) head of security Capt. Gregar Typho, and the TV series “Xena: The Warrior Princess,” where he played Draco.
Bitten by the theater bug in 1984 (“I was just part of the scenery, but that’s when I realized it was my calling”), his most memorable performances include playing Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King,” and now, the Wizard in “Wicked.”
He recalled: “I was approached to do ‘The Lion King’ again and ‘Wicked’ was offered to me on the same week. I played Mufasa 10 years ago and they were bringing it back. As actors, we are so used to jumping through hoops that when they say, ‘We would like you to play this role,’ you go, ‘Do you want me to sing something? Do something?’”
In the end, he chose “Wicked” not only because he had never played a wizard before and he loves the story and the music, but also because, he said, “At the end of the day, this company felt like a family.”
Family is very important to Jay. “As a Polynesian, we’re all about family. It’s not just about us.” So, Jay always makes sure that despite his busy schedule, he always has time for his kids. His wife Sandie and their kids come visit him when he’s on tour.
Jay has also done a lot of work for kids—recording children’s albums, co-producing music for Picture Books by Scholastics, performing in “Jay’s Place” (a show he wrote which won the 2007 Sydney Theater Award for Best Production for Children) and hosting the Australian children’s TV show “Play School.” He is also the ambassador of the Let’s Read Campaign, Queensland Kindergartens and Touched By Olivia.
The Inquirer sat down with Jay in Auckland, in the middle of the New Zealand run of “Wicked”; he talked about his kids, his life as a dad and why he thinks parents should bring their kids to watch the show in Manila.
You have eight kids?
I have a four-year-old girl, six-year-old girl, eight-year-old girl, 12-year-old boy, 13-year-old-girl, 15-year-old boy, 21-year-old boy, 29-year-old boy. I don’t know their names. (Laughs)
And you have grandkids, too?
My 29-year-old is married, he’s a translator in Japan and married to a Japanese girl. I have two grandkids. They’re here at the moment. They’re beautiful. One’s three and one’s a year old. My wife’s English. So, my grandkids have Japanese-English-Samoan-Australian-New Zealand blood.
Have your kids come to watch you in “Wicked”?
Yes, they love it. My 12-year-old son went, “You’re singing songs from ‘Glee.’” And I looked at him and said, “Don’t be an idiot.” And my 13-year-old daughter said, “I can’t believe you said that. You know they were from ‘Wicked’ first.” But that’s the sort of thing about the show—there aren’t too many shows out there, maybe “The Lion King,” that are in the social fabric, that people know the tunes… But my youngest, my four-year-old, said, “So what do you feed the dragon?” I said, “Chili, so it keeps his mouth nice and hot.”
Are your kids into performing?
What do you love about “Wicked”?
What I love about it is my children can go see it and they’re of different ages and they see different things. The younger ones saw the color and the dancing and they saw the dragon and the witch flying.
Should parents bring their kids to see “Wicked”?
Yes. But like most things, parents should tell them about it before they go. The show will be a surprise—when they come in it’s almost like walking into a different world. How many shows travel with two witches and a dragon? Their minds will be in overdrive. For parents, you need to have a look at the show, Google it, YouTube it so they can know some of the colors and the sounds. And always remind them it’s just pretend, it’s not real.
Any other tips for parents?
When kids are young, their peripheral vision hasn’t developed yet. Don’t sit them up close, so they can see the stage, so they can see everything.
What kind of dad are you?
I think I’m a strict dad but…when they were visiting me here, they were staying at the hotel. As soon as I open the door, my four-year-old will go, “Can we go to the pool?” And I’ll go, “Is your mom awake?” The six-year-old and the eight-year-old will go, “Let’s go!” The adjoining room will open and the older ones will go… And I’ll say, “Let’s go!”
What are your rules for your kids?
If you’ve got nothing nice to say to anyone, say nothing. And try. Try a taste of this, if you don’t like it, it’s fine, just try.
When you’re doing eight shows a week, how do you get to spend time with your kids? What do you like doing with them?
As a father, all you can give your kids is time. Never read a child a book if you have an appointment to go to, never read to them if you have your phone on. Always read to them somewhere you both enjoy. I can read the same things over and over again. Don’t skip pages. I like to play with them. We tell stories. If we get cardboard boxes in the house, they’re gone. We make stuff all the time with our hands. I empty the box up, it becomes a car. I teach my kids, if you want to make something, there are lots of things inside this house and outside…things like “Man vs Wild” would do. What would MacGyver do? What can you make? Go outside, find something.
The only downside is when my kids have projects at school, they always tell me the night before. And I go, “Is that yours or mine?” Or my son will go, “It’s book week. I think I’m gonna go as a spaceman.” “When is it?” “Tomorrow.” And it’s eight o’ clock at night. I tell him, “Wake me up at six o’clock, I’ll wrap you up in foil before you go to school.”
So even actors aren’t safe from that kind of thing.
You just have to learn to play.
Do your kids understand the work you do?
They understand. But do they care? No. They’re children. You’ll find that your child will only acknowledge what you do when their friends acknowledge what you do. They’ll go, “Oh, your dad was in ‘Star Wars.’” “Yes, that’s my dad, Jay Laga’aia. He’s in ‘Star Wars.’” And I go, “What are you doing? Are you my manager?”
Their friends will come over and say, “He did this show and that show…” “Yup, do you want to see some of his light sabers?” And when the friends are gone, I’ll say, “Hey, stay out of my office.” And he’ll tell his friends, “I will show it to you later when he’s not home.”
We noticed that your portrayal of the Wizard was more tender than previous ones we’ve seen.
My mother is Samoan. She speaks some English but I have to make my character as simple as I can, because if she doesn’t understand, it’s too highbrow. I need to also make him, first and foremost, a man. Because he can’t be a caricature, he can’t fight against the grandness of the show. He has to be simple. Less is more. It’s about stillness. You will quiet a laughing audience. I’ve never had a laughing audience in that scene.
How do you feel about bringing the show to Manila?
You know, my Samoan name is Manila. When I was growing up, people kept going, “You’re Filipino.” I’m excited to take the show there because Filipinos are show people. I’ve worked with a lot of Filipinos during “The Lion King.” I’m a huge fan of Lea Salonga. Also, one of the best Elvis impersonators I know is Filipino.
Will your kids come to Manila, too?
It depends on the schedule. I’m hoping they will. When we book our flights, my wife has to book and then I have to book because she can book for only five.
“Wicked’s” Philippine season is presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, 105.9 Radio High and Concertus Manila. Call 8919999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.