From the Philippines to Broadway...
Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Southern California, Orville received his B.A. in Theatre Arts from Cal-State University, San Bernardino and worked extensively with East West Players in Los Angeles starring in the title role of SWEENEY TODD earning him an Ovation Award nomination. Also at EWP, he appeared in INTO THE WOODS, PASSION (which was the Los Angeles premiere of the Sondheim musical), and EWP's 30th anniversary revival of PACIFIC OVERTURES, for which the entire company received a Backstage West Garland Award for best ensemble. Orville has also worked “the other side of the table” serving as music director for their production of STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW.
(PASSION - Classic Stage Co. revival with (L to R) Tom Nelis, Ken Krugman, Jason Evans, myself, Jeffry Denman, Judy Kuhn, Will Reynolds)
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Immediately after completing his undergrad degree, Orville became an original cast member on the 2nd National Tour (aka The Engineer Company) of MISS SAIGON where he appeared as the "Engineer." Over the course of 5 1/2 years, he performed the show over 2,000 times in over 50 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada with his favorite tour stop being Hawaii, of course!
After the close of the tour, Orville moved to New York City and made his Broadway debut with Roundabout Theatre Company in the revival of PACIFIC OVERTURES. He was also in the original Broadway cast of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER. Off-Broadway he's worked with The Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival, Classic Stage Company, Primary Stages, The Mint, Pearl Theatre Company, Atlantic Theater Co., Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, Ma-Yi Theatre Company, National Asian American Theatre Company, and others. He has developed new works at Second Stage Theatre Company, New Dramatists, New York Stage and Film, The Directors Company, The York Theatre Company, and New York Theatre Workshop.
Some directors and choreographers he's had the honor to work with in productions and workshops include Michael Greif, John Doyle, Des McAnuff, Roger Rees, Alex Timbers, Mark Brokaw, Christopher Gattelli, Kathleen Marshall, Tina Landau, Gordon Greenberg, Carey Perloff, Steven Hoggett, Robert Longbottom, Sergio Trujillo, Casey Nicholaw, Barry Edelstein, Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, Jonathan Bank, Peter DuBois, Ted Sperling, Brian Mertes, Vincent Patterson, Francesca Zambello, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Sheryl Kaller, Paul Blake, Gemze De Lappe, and Loy Arcenas.
Orville originated the role of “Tempura” in Christopher Durang and Peter Melnick’s new musical ADRIFT IN MACAO. For his performance, he received a BARRYMORE AWARD for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for the Philadephia Theatre Company production and a DRAMA DESK AWARD nomination for Best Featured Actor in a musical for the Off-Broadway premiere at Primary Stages in New York City.
(ADRIFT IN MACAO - Off-Broadway Production with Rachel DeBenedet, Michele Ragusa, Alan Campbell, myself)
In the Fall of 2008, Orville’s lifelong dream of originating a new Sondheim show in New York came true when he became an original cast member of ROAD SHOW, the new musical by STEPHEN SONDHEIM & JOHN WEIDMAN directed by JOHN DOYLE. The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival gave Road Show it’s world premiere.
(ROAD SHOW - The Public Theater/NY Shakespeare Festival with (clockwise from Left) Colleen Fitzpatrick, Alma Cuervo, Bill Youmans, Matt Stocke, Claybourne Elder, Alex Gemignani, Tom Nelis, Bill Parry, Mylinda Hull, Kristine Zbornik, myself, John Doyle, John Weidman, Stephen Sondheim, Michael Cerveris, Aisha de Haas, Anne L. Nathan, Mel Johnson, Jr.)
Orville's television appearances include "The Blacklist" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." He's also appeared in commercials for American Express, Tylenol PM, and Thomas' Waffles to name a few. He can be seen in the indie-short "The Sound of Coins Hitting Brass" due out next year.
("The Blacklist" with James Spader)