‘Miss Saigon’ stint ‘one for the books’ for Garrett Bolden
Garrett Bolden
For Garrett Bolden, venturing into theater was a much-needed career move that helped him open his eyes to new possibilities and unlock skills that he didn’t realize he had.
After being cast as the enthusiastic marine John Thomas in a “Miss Saigon” production in Guam last year, the singer-songwriter has his sights now on bigger goals. “I hope I can try out for Broadway and West End musicals one day. Thinking about the possibilities and opportunities keeps me driven,” he said in a recent virtual conference for his new EP, “Chapters” (GMA Music).
While he has always loved watching musicals, it wasn’t until recently that Garrett mustered enough courage to try out for one.
“It was a production where I acquired new wisdom when it comes to singing and performing,” he said of the “Miss Saigon” staging mounted by the Guam Philharmonic Foundation and World Theater Production.
Challenging
“The experience was challenging, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Not only was I able to discover new skills, I also enjoyed working with other theater actors. So it’s definitely something I would love to do again in the future.”
Garrett’s character sings “Bui Doi,” a song about abandoned children by Vietnamese mothers and American soldiers. And as the son of a former member of the United States Navy whom he didn’t get to meet until he was 18, Garrett has always felt connected to the musical piece.
“Singing ‘Bui Doi’ was definitely one of the highlights. I’m always reminded about how big and important the song is. There was some pressure on me, so it took me quite a while to fully process the song’s message … During my last performance, I found myself listening to myself and appreciating the words as I sang it. I didn’t know that was possible,” he related. “Listening to yourself as you tell a story through singing is really magical.”
“Chapters” cover art
“Chapters” is a compilation of Garrett’s previous singles, plus a new cover of Kris Lawrence’s “Ikaw Pala.” “It conveys a nice message that gives me a warm feeling. It’s about finding out that you’re choosing the right person for you. It gives the album a variety because some of the songs here are sad, some are uplifting,” he said.
“It also completes the narrative of the album, which follows how relationships progress from ‘ligawan’ stage (courtship) to being together to having problems. ‘Ikaw Pala’ is the realization that the other person really is part of your life,” said Garrett, a product of the talent search “The Clash.”
Needless to say, he is now enjoying his life’s “best chapter” thus far. “My purpose has never been clearer. I’m pursuing music as a career because it’s my passion, and it’s what I really want to do. I’m focused on that. Sometimes, we feel like giving up, holding ourselves back. My goal is clear now,” he said.
“I want to write more songs, write and produce more music,” he said. “I want to explore new genres, too, because fans’ preferences change. I want to experiment with that, maybe put out something danceable.”
Garrett, who serves as an online host for “The Clash 2023,” is also open to doing more acting projects. “I want to venture into hosting and acting. But I want to come prepared for the fields I want to enter. I will have to prepare for those. Hosting ‘The Clash’ is helping me hone my skills. I hope to learn more this year,” he said.
