An Interview with Santino Fontana
{ Jenny Pacillo }
Santino Fontana is a dynamo of talent, dazzling audiences on Broadway and beyond since 2007. With a Tony Award and a slew of other accolades under his belt, he's a true star in every sense of the word. From bringing characters to life on stage to captivating audiences with his voice on screen, Fontana's versatility knows no bounds. Whether he's melting hearts as Prince Hans in Frozen or leaving audiences in stitches in Tootsie, he's always ready to steal the show. Get ready to be swept off your feet as Santino Fontana takes center stage, delivering unforgettable performances that will have you cheering for an encore!
J: You're known for portraying a wide range of roles. How do you approach the challenge of playing different characters, whether on stage or in voice work?
S: That’s the best part of acting for me. Getting to experience totally different worlds and inhabiting different people…it’s why I do this. My approach is the same no matter which medium…what does my character want, who’s around me, what are the stakes…bottom line, I always try to find the parallel that lets it feel like a kid at recess pretending the floor is lava.
J: Are there particular types of roles that you find most fulfilling or challenging?
S: I think the roles that involve spinning the most plates. There are parts where directors or writers see characters as one color…I did a job where the director flat out said, “you’re red. you always need to be red.” That may help the whole overall, but it will always feel limited and incomplete. The roles where you get to express multiple different parts of a personality—add to that some transformational component, whether it’s vocally, physically, or emotionally…those are both the most challenging and fulfilling roles. They’re also hard to come by.
J: What performances hold a special place in your heart?
S: CINDERELLA was a truly loving experience…most of that cast was at my wedding. SONS OF THE PROPHET was a Stephen Karam play I did a long time ago that changed my life. And TOOTSIE was the most fun cast I’ve ever worked with, where we all just genuinely loved being with each other. HAMLET was at the beginning of my career and an amazing, exciting challenge. I’ve had more good experiences than bad, but those are the ones that come to mind.
J: Who are your musical/acting influences and how have they shaped your career?
S: Philip Seymour Hoffman is kind of it for me. You couldn't limit him. And I’m obsessed with Stevie Wonder musically, he can do no wrong in my book.
J: What can Worcester audiences look forward to at your upcoming concert?
S: They’re gonna get a totally unique show to that group of people and that evening. I had a great teacher who told me whatever is actually happening will always be more interesting than what you planned. Taking that, and adding in what the pandemic taught me—how little control we have over anything—I’ve structured a free-wheeling evening with about 25 songs and the ones chosen at random will make up the show.
J: Any advice for aspiring artists?
S: Just follow your passion. I know it sounds trite, but it’s really true. It’s the thing that will get you through the tough times and lead you where you need to go next.
J: Is there a dream role or project you hope to pursue in the future?
S: So much of being an actor is about heartbreak. You get a dream job and then it ends? Heartbreak. You desperately want a part and it doesn’t go your way? Heartbreak. You get what you think you want and it turns out to be a nightmare? Heartbreak. Then on top of that, so many of the great roles require you to experience heartbreak…that said…I’ve tried to limit the additional heartbreaks so I don’t have any specific roles I feel I need to play. I just wanna keep playing great parts, in great projects, with great people.