DECATUR, Ill. – The first time Andrew Tufano was able to stand on a Broadway stage is a moment that has stuck with him.
Andrew, a Class of 2022 Millikin University graduate, visited another Millikin alumni, Anthony Norman, Class of 2015, who was in the Broadway musical “The Prom,” performing at the Longacre Theatre. Anthony brought Andrew to the theatre for a visit, including some time on the main stage, and it is a moment brought by a Big Blue connection that he will never forget.
“When I was a freshman at Millikin, I reached out to Anthony who is from Illinois, pretty close to where I grew up. He gave me the opportunity to go on stage and experience what it was like on a Broadway stage. I'll never forget it,” Andrew said. “I actually still have a photo in my room hanging with me on that stage with a little quote that says “Inspire.”
Just two years after graduating with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance, Andrew made his Broadway debut this spring in “The Who’s Tommy” at the Nederlander Theatre. He now gets to share that same unforgettable first experience with current Millikin students who also have Broadway dreams.
“Now to be able to be in Anthony’s shoes and take people on stage and give them that same moment, it is amazing. It is very full circle for me,” Andrew said. “That's all I want to do now, to be able to create memories and show people that you can do this too.”
The stage production of “The Who’s Tommy” is a rock musical featuring music and lyrics by The Who’s guitarist and principal songwriter Pete Townsend. The revival production is based on The Who’s 1969 rock opera album “Tommy.” The musical focuses on Tommy Walker and his path to becoming a spiritual leader with a knack for playing pinball.
An early Broadway memory for Andrew was when his mother took him to see “Aladdin,” which featured Adam Jacobs in the title role. Six years later, Andrew shares the stage with Jacobs, playing Tommy’s father, Captain Walker.
“To be in ‘Tommy’ with Adam and for me to body double for him is crazy. I'm now sharing the stage with one of the Broadway performers that changed my life. Seeing him sing ‘Proud of Your Boy’ in ‘Aladdin’ is a forever moment for my mom and I to bond over,” Andrew said. “That was my first exposure to the Broadway world, and it's been addicting ever since.”
While at Millikin, Andrew was in many productions, including “Sister Act,” “Seussical,” “Pete(her) Pan,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” and “She Loves Me.” After graduation, he was in “Cinderella” and “A Chorus Line” at the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago and also on the national tour of “Emojiland.”
“Getting cast my freshman year (in ‘Sister Act’) lit a fire under my butt that I could do this. I could manage schoolwork, and I could also hopefully get cast in shows,” Andrew said. “The most surprising thing (about going to Millikin) was seeing the amount of quality work done throughout my four years. Getting the opportunity to perform in a ton of shows was amazing. One of my biggest takeaways was that I saw myself after four years and looked back at my resume, and I was able to see that I worked my butt off.”
Over eight shows a week in “The Who’s Tommy,” Andrew’s role in the ensemble puts his body to the test.
“I’m always trying to protect my body, making sure I'm sleeping really well, hydrating, and stretching. Warming up before the show is super big, especially since I'm lifting so much during the show. Broadway is a different beast because there are so many other things to do, but I think Millikin prepared me for that because I bombarded my schedule with activities while I was there.” he said. “This is the most family-oriented cast I've ever worked with. We check in with each other, and we huddle up a little before the curtain goes up. It gets us all grounded and centered before we tell this story, and it’s all about trusting and believing that you can do it.”
When the production ends its Broadway run, it will transition to a national tour in 2025.
“When this amazing journey comes to a close, I’ll never forget my time on the Nederlander stage. I’m not sure what will happen with my involvement in the show. I may be re-cast by someone else, I may play a new role, or I may just be telling a different story in a new show at that time,” Andrew said. “I’m so excited to see where I end up, and I’ll just keep riding my wave and trusting the process.”
In promotion for “The Who’s Tommy,” Andrew performed on “Good Morning America,” “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon,” and the 2024 Tony Awards. Andrew has a clear message for students considering Millikin to begin their own dream of making it to Broadway: Don’t doubt yourself.
“My best advice is that patience is a virtue. That is a beautiful quote I've taken with me throughout this. I've seen many people ruin their opportunities by being stuck in a negative headspace. Let the doubt and insecurity go,” he said. “There's nothing more frustrating than friends going to auditions, and they're nervous. You've proved yourself enough to be there. This is your opportunity; there's nothing to prove and only your talent to share.”
