If you have ever shopped at the Granby Cumberland Farms, you have encountered the smiling welcome and kindly service of Andy Laplante. He is a large man in many ways: in his big heart; in his thoughtful, friendly behavior; in his unflappable love of life. He is also a man who hones his talents for his own and others’ pleasure.
Laplante was born in Rockville and spent his early childhood in Florida before moving to Simsbury and later to Granby with his mother.
A lover of English and history, Laplante found his niche in the Granby Memorial High School Drama Club. “I also joined the chess club for something to do until rehearsals started for whatever play we were doing,” says Laplante, a 2004 graduate. “I have a good group of friends that I made through drama.” Among his high school credits are The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and The Beverly Hillbillies, The Musical.
Following graduation, Laplante started working at McDonald’s in Granby Center. “I have Asberger’s Syndrome, and although I am very high functioning, I can’t drive, so I needed a job that I could walk to,” he says. “At the time, the possibilities were limited.” When McDonald’s closed in 2017, LaPlante assessed his options.
“It took me awhile to find a new job,” he says. “I heard about the benefits Cumberland Farms offered, so I applied, and they hired me. I’ve been there ever since.”
Over the 20 years since high school, Laplante lost his mother to cancer, a blow that set him back. “But my mom loved to see me act, and I enjoy it, so I have kept it up,” he says. A member of the Theatre Guild of Simsbury, he has appeared in Miss Liberty, The Wizard of Oz and A Christmas Carol. He has also participated in The Simsbury Light Opera Company’s productions of Patience (or Bunthorne’s Bride) and Princess Ida.
“I took voice lessons for four years with a teacher from the Westminster School in Simsbury,” Laplante says. “I have a good voice, but I wanted to improve it to increase my chances for more musical roles.”
A self-described “big nerd,” Laplante is a cosplay (costume play) enthusiast. “When I have a new favorite character, I look for the costume on Etsey or eBay and order it,” he says. “When the Theatre Guild of Simsbury did Shrek, I didn’t audition because of work, but I bought the costume.”
That costume was later put to good use when Laplante landed the role of Shrek in Favrah’s (The Arc of the Farmington Valley) production of Shrek Jr. “I also played the Cowardly Lion when they did The Wizard of Oz,” he says.
When he’s not working, acting or singing, Laplante can be found reading. “My favorite novel and my favorite musical is Les Miserables,” he says. “I think that’s the longest book I’ve ever read!” At 1,462 pages, that is an impressive accomplishment. Laplante put his knowledge of the work to practical use, serving as a consultant on Glastonbury High School’s production of Victor Hugo’s work.
“Les Mis is the last show my mom and I saw on Broadway, so it has a really special meaning,” Laplante says. “I know she’s smiling, knowing that I’m acting and singing again, doing things I love that make me happy.”
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