Talented Springfield High School Freshman Takes to the Stage in Vonnegut Revival

Springfield High School freshman Andrew SanFilippo has a busy schedule. In any given week you might find him on a regional athletic field, playing travel soccer for the Springfield Storm. You might also find him blending harmonies as a member of the Springfield Singers. However, in the month of October, you will find him onstage at Spotlight Theatre in Swarthmore, where he is playing a central role in a revival of the classic Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. play “Happy Birthday, Wanda June”.

“What I like most about acting is being able to take on an interesting character that is so different than myself and to create a family atmosphere with a group of actors,” says Andrew. His character is “Paul”, the son of avid hunter and war hero Harold Ryan. The play is a darkly witty comedy with dramatic moments; Andrew’s challenge is to portray the character with an authentic range of emotions and moods. His fellow actors, all adults from the Delaware County area and beyond, are impressed with the way Andrew has embraced the challenge.

Andrew has also appeared onstage in “Approaching Zanzibar”, “Peter Pan” and “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Players Club of Swarthmore. He has performed in Springfield High School’s Theater Workshop, while still a student at E.T. Richardson Middle School, in “Our Town”, “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Oliver”. Not surprisingly, Andrew is also a fantastic dancer. He won the All-American Talent State and Regional Dance Competition 3 years in a row (2012-2014) and also the Star Power Regional Championship in 2014.

“Happy, Birthday Wanda June” was written in the late 1960’s, around the same time as Vonnegut’s famed anti-war novel “Slaughterhouse Five” was published; it ran on Broadway in the early 70’s and was also a
movie starring Rod Steiger and Susannah York . The play tackles the timely topic of violence in society and offers a funny and thought-provoking perspective on masculinity. “It’s interesting to compare what a man’s role and expectations used to be at the time the play was written with how we classify a man’s role today,”
says Andrew.

As he begins his high school journey, Andrew has put a career in the performing arts at the top of his list. “My father and sister always jokingly said I’d grow up to be a street performer, so I figure I’ll go to school to
work on my performance art. If that doesn’t work out, maybe I’ll be a crime scene investigator”, he muses, “and if it does work out, maybe I’ll play a crime scene investigator on TV!”

You can enjoy Andrew’s performance in “Happy Birthday, Wanda June” October 21, 22, 28, 29, 30 and Nov. 4 and 5, at Spotlight Theatre, 129 Park Avenue in Swarthmore, PA. Visit the theater’s website for details and to
purchase tickets:
http://mnplayers.co/2016-2017-season/happy-birthday-wanda-june/