Garrett Bolden eyes more musicals after Miss Saigon

Following his stint in the stage musical production, Miss Saigon, mounted in Guam last September, The Clash alum Garrett Bolden has made auditioning for more Following his stint in the stage musical production, Miss Saigon, mounted in Guam last September, The Clash alum Garrett Bolden has made auditioning for more musicals part of his career goals this year.

“My Miss Saigon Guam stint is one for the books. It’s something that I won’t forget because it’s something new that I’ve done and it’s a production where I’ve learned a lot when it comes to singing and performing. It’s something that I would love to do again someday,” declared Garrett, who played the American GI named John Thomas.

“The experience there (in the musical theater) was really challenging but at the same time, I enjoyed every minute of it because not only I was able to unlock a new skill but also enjoy working with other theater actors.” 

The best thing about being part of Miss Saigon, Garrett added, was the chance to sing Bui Doi, composed by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. The Kapuso soul balladeer shared that when people learned that he was going to be part of the musical, they kept on telling him the significance of the song in the story.

“It was only during my last show in Miss Saigon did I feel the message of the song. It took me a while because all the pressure was on me. But then, when I listened to it, well, it’s possible pala listening to yourself while singing. It was truly touching. I was listening to the story while I was singing and it was really magical.”

Small wonder Garrett is eyeing to audition for more musicals this year.

“S’yempre po hopeful tayo and claiming na mangyayari ‘yan. Plus, I’m also preparing myself for, let’s say, something bigger like Broadway or West End. I am wishing for that kind of opportunity to come,” said Garrett, who couldn’t divulge any details yet “para hindi maudlot and hopefully, makapasok pa sa ibang theater production.”

No matter how successful his music career has become, Garrett knows how to look back from where he started.

“I still consider my The Clash (Season 1) journey as my best career performance so far,” said Garrett in response to The STAR question and continued, “But if I were to really pick one, it’s when I sang Bui Doi for Miss Saigon. It’s currently the best music and most memorable thing I did since I was also able to perform it out of the country and then, kumbaga, it’s out of my comfort zone.”

However, Garrett does not limit himself to singing alone. He looks forward to doing a lot of things this year.

“In terms of my career, like I always say, I’m willing to learn new skills. I also want to venture into acting or hosting. But of course, if I will do them, I really have to come prepared.”

In fact, among his Instagram posts were caricatures of himself in various characters that could pass for a fantaserye. He captioned them with, “And auditioning for Kapuso fantaserye? Hahaha baka naman po.”

“At present, I am thankful that I am hosting the online stream of The Clash 2023 kaya medyo na-ho-hone ‘yung aking hosting skills, so I’m really excited this year. I hope I get to learn more skills.”

Garrett also spends time honing his vocal tone to perform other music genres aside from ballad, knowing how constantly changing the music preferences of people are these days. “Kumbaga, gusto ko masubukan rin ‘yung ibang genre ng music at pati ‘yung tunog na medyo sumasayaw tayo ng konti,” he enthused.

Meanwhile, Garrett welcomes the new year with a debut EP album titled Chapters under GMA Music with songs that speak about various stages of romantic love.

“Chapters is like a whole story of how relationships are, from courtship to the point of becoming lovers and then facing conflicts (in the relationship) leading to separation. But then, love prevails and so the album wraps up with Ikaw Pala.”

Two of the songs in the album lineup are Garrett’s own compositions. They are Our Love (theme song of the GMA series I Left My Heart in Sorsogon) and Pwede Ba (theme song of the Thai series, Bad Romeo) while Lilipad Na, Handa Na Maghintay won for him awards at the PMPC Star Awards for Music and Awit Awards.

His latest single Ikaw Pala, on the other hand, is a revival of Kris Lawrence’s classic hit back in 2000.

Asked what preparation he made in order to come up with the album, Garrett said that it took some time to decide because they initially considered which songs would be fitting to tell a story about love and at the same time represent his musical journey.

“We chose songs that describe those times when I started my career up to the present, the latest one that I released (Ikaw Pala). It turned out na sakto ‘yung mga songs na na-release ko before so when we compiled them together, it’s only right for it to be called Chapters.”

What chapter of his life so far does he consider happy, exciting and most memorable?

“Perhaps, I can say, right now is one exciting chapter because after the new year (celebration), I learned that I’ll be releasing this album. I’m really thankful to GMA Music for giving me this chance. It also motivated me to write more songs, create more music for everyone,” he concluded.

(Chapters is now available on iTunes and other digital music platforms worldwide.)