John Bolton with his castmates from LCSD Production of the The Wiz- from left-Marny Cleere/Tornado, Chip Smith/Cowardly Lion, Sue Matzat/Dorothy, Rick Blowers, John Bolton and David Scott/the Tinman
May18th is now John Bolton Day in Le Roy.
I’m just grateful to be from such a beautiful town with wonderful people that were family then and are still family now. Even though I haven’t lived her in 40 years, it feels like home,” says Bolton.
Video of the John Bolton Lifetime Achievement Gala
Bolton shared many great stories about growing up in Le Roy after moving here from Brighton. He says he wasn’t happy about moving here, but that changed after few days of attending school and getting involved with the music and theater department. At first, he was turned down after auditioning in Junior High with Beth Ann Lambein.
“I was teeny- tiny, my voice hadn’t changed, I was really uncomfortable and awkward, but I thought I would try. I knew it was a matter of time and Beth Ann was really kind about it. I remember her vividly in the music room, putting a hand on my shoulder saying not this time I’m sorry, but please, please, please, promise me you’ll try it again, and I did. I was thrilled to be in the chorus. I just wanted to be a part of it; I didn’t need to be the star or anything like that, I just wanted to be help on stage or be part of the teamwork. It’s the best team sport there is.”
Bolton, a 1980 graduate of Le Roy High School, has had a highly successful career in musical theatre and TV, and over the years has continued to support his hometown by supporting the students who are involved in theatre and music today at the Le Roy High School.
Village of Le Roy Trustees Bill Kettle and Jim Bonacquisti presented John Bolton with the Key to the Village of Le Roy and officially named May 18th as John Bolton Day.
Bolton was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Nate Yauchzee and Evan Williams, Le Roy Class of 2023 alumni, on behalf of the organizing committee, Le Roy Central Schools, administration, faculty, alumni, the student body, the town and village of Le Roy, and the entire Rochester regional theater community.
Bolton center, with, from left, Nate Yauchzee (alum 2023), Aubrey Puccio (class of 2025), Haily Grasso (2020 alum), from right, Andrew Tomidy (2010 alum), and Jack Diskin(2017 alum)