Stage role means new ‘Heights’ for Everett man

Everett audiences have one of their own in Village Theatre’s production of “In the Heights” opening Friday at the Everett Performing Arts Center.

If you haven’t seen Joseph Tancioco before, you’ve probably heard him.

Tancioco, 41, of Everett, usually plays keyboards in Village’s pit orchestra.

This time, however, he’s on stage in a supporting role, that of a street vendor, the good-humored Piragua (snow cone) Guy, adding his beautiful voice to the chorus, singing a solo and generally stealing a couple of scenes.

Tancioco and his family moved from the Philippines when he was about 13. The family settled in Mountlake Terrace, where his mother still lives.

“When we were kids, music was always the thing, on both sides of the family,” Tancioco said. “That part came naturally.”

He went to Seattle Prep for high school, where he participated in musical theater. Tancioco graduated from Seattle University with a degree in theology, but his main activity there was in university’s award-winning choir, under the direction of Joy Sherman, a mentor. Tancioco organized the school’s annual show tunes concert.

During college, he and his brother, R.J. Tancioco, who directs the pit orchestra for this production, were connected with Village Theatre through a fellow choir member.

Some younger actors were needed for a show and Village came calling at Seattle University.

“We did not get cast, but the Village folks found out we were music directors,” Joseph Tancioco said. “Little things turned into big things. Now we are part of the Village family.”

Tancioco has been on stage before and he enjoys that as much as being in the pit orchestra.

“In the Heights” is especially fun, he said, because the fun-loving personality of the Piragua Guy is much like his own.

“He’s gritty, but not jaded. He has a hard life, but he makes lemonade,” Tancioco said. “At least that is how I play him.”

Though Tancioco is not Puerto Rican, as is his character, he makes it work.

“I have Spanish in my blood,” he said. “I love the songs and I love the story.”

He dedicated his performance to his grandmothers, Lourdes and Julita.

Tancioco’s day job is coordinator of continuing education for lay teachers in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

“Because of my job, I limit myself to working only with Village Theatre,” he said. “And Village is life-giving to me.”

After coming off the run of the show in Issaquah earlier this week, Tancioco is happy to move it to Everett.

“It’s only 11 minutes from home to stage.”

Everett audiences are his favorite, Tancioco said. “I think people really appreciate the quality of our work.”

The run in Everett will be over too soon, he said.