From Matawan to Midtown:Broadway star Gerard Canonico gets ready for another year and a leading role MELISSA L. GAFFNEY, Staff Writer,The Courier, July 24 Posted:07/25/08
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Matawan native Gerard Canonico has no “bitches” about life, just yet.
Canonico, 19, lives in New York City, loves music and plays in a band, like many teenagers of the 21st century.
But, unlike most, he also stars in Broadway’s latest rock hit and winner of eight Tony Awards, “Spring Awakening.” On top of it all, Canonico has been preparing to play Moritz, one of the show’s leading roles.
He has certainly come a long way from Burger King commercials.
Canonico began his acting career at the spry age of 8 years old, when his parents began taking him to commercial auditions. “When I was younger, I would always dress up,” he said. “I was never myself.”
After filming another commercial with Chuck E. Cheese, Canonico headed on tour with the cast of “Les Miserables.”
Still only 8 years old, Canonico continued auditioning for theatre. He added several seasons with “The Christmas Carol,” at Madison Square Garden; readings; and off-Broadway shows to his résumé.
During this time, Canonico attended St. Benedict School, in Holmdel; Holy Family School, in Hazlet; and Mater Dei High School, in Middletown.
While preparing for his role as Jesus in Mater Dei’s production of “Godspell,” Canonico received a phone call from his agent.
It was Broadway, and Canonico was 16.
Dropping all but his passion and studies, Canonico packed up and headed to Manhattan to begin rehearsals for “Spring Awakening.”
Almost two years later, Canonico said he is still not sick of the show. “I’ve made such amazing friends here,” he said. “I know we’ll be friends for a long time, especially being in the same business.”
Canonico also graduated from Mater Dei this past spring, in between shows, recording and Tony Award rehearsals.
While he has no immediate plans for college, Canonico said the option is not entirely removed from his future. He was accepted into both Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, and Montclair State University, Montclair.
His dream, he said, is to be on tour with his band, Taking Chances, and see the world.
Taking Chances is based out of Hazlet, where Canonico and Chris, Nick and Joe Solerno rock out with an upbeat, alternative pop-punk sound.
Canonico said what he loves most about the band is the collaboration. “We write everything together,” he said. “Everyone brings the best they can.”
The band’s CD is available on CDbaby.com, where it is recommended for fans of The Foo Fighters. Canonico said they plan on playing as many shows as their schedules allow.
The band has already played several gigs at Espresso Joe’s, in Keyport. There, a photograph hanging on the wall reminds coffee house patrons just how much the Bayshore adores Canonico and his musical talents.
“I’ve done the Broadway thing and it’s amazing,” Canonico said. “And I’d love to still keep doing it, and do both… Play shows and have a show.”
Although he spends the majority of his time in the city, Canonico tries to visit home, his family and his friends as much as he can. “I’m sort of far removed from Jersey,” he said. “It’s hard. I feel like sometimes I’m being really unfair, because of how much time I have to be here (in New York).”
But he is young, and Canonico is enjoying “Spring Awakening” and the accompanying experiences. “It (the play) has improved me as a person because it’s challenging,” he said. “The songs you perform as yourself, and the play you act as your character.”
Canonico said the cast is also very young looking, which is a great thing. “‘Spring Awakening’ is the main teenage musical to do,” he said. “I feel really lucky.”
Notably, Canonico said “Spring Awakening” is a show spanning several generations. “A grandfather, father and son can see the show and all take something different from it,” he said. “[This show] is my favorite thing I’ve done so far.”
To any aspiring actors or actresses, Canonico said not to give up or be afraid; there is nothing more rewarding than the end result. “If your heart and soul are in it, and you have the drive to do it, go for it,” he said. “The only reason I’d go back is just to live it all again.”
