LEA SALONGA credits stage director Jaime del Mundo for fostering her passion and lifelong connection to the iconic musical Les Miserables At the beginning of his career.
“They gave me a copy of the original Broadway cast recording, and that's what started me traveling on that train,” Ms. Salonga told the media during a press conference before the Manila premiere. Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular on January 21 at the Solaire Theater in Parañaque City. “The moment I was introduced Les MizI was obsessed.
Ms. Salonga has played the musical's two leading female roles, Eponine and Fantine, several times over the years. She played both roles on Broadway, appearing as Eponine in 10th anniversary concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, and appeared as Fantine in 25th Anniversary concert at London's O2.
Les Miserables It is a musical adaptation of the novel of the same name by French author Victor Hugo. First published in 1862, it tells the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean's struggle and redemption, as well as the tragedies that befall other characters, culminating in the uprising in Paris in June 1832.
a new role
Manila production of the staged concert of Les Miz Ms. Salonga was seen playing the role of Madame Thénardier for the first time. He said that he saw Lindsay Heatley playing a comedic character during a Les Miz The play in London was a “role made flesh”, which he remembered after so many years.
“As a young person, you see yourself in the young characters, the idealists who want to see a better and brighter world. Then, this is the woman who would do anything for her child,” he said, referring to the character Fantine. “Again, these two characters, the Thénardiers, are humorous but also deep because of what they're willing to do to survive,” she explained. “And in a country like this, there are people who will do anything to make money, even make themselves vulnerable. Meanwhile, there's a guy who steals bread and is sentenced to 19 years in prison,” she said of Jean Valjean.
For her, the pressure of being the first Asian to play Eponine and then Fantine has given way to pure joy, this time discovering Madame Thénardier, whose dialect and posture are completely different and whose story does not end in tragedy.
Besides, this is her first time Les Miz In the Philippines – with three other Filipinos in the main cast.
“When I saw [the four of us in one spread in the souvenir program]I said, 'Wow,'” she said. 'It's great. It's really iconic.”
Red Concepcion, who plays her husband Thénardier on stage, said it was an honor to share the stage with someone who “opened doors for us.”
Having played the role a few times before, he displays a remarkable command of his zany tone and raunchy stage presence, with powerful vocals that match Ms. Salonga.
“Working with Lee is very special and very fun,” Mr. Concepcion said. It shows, like businessworld Seen throughout the night of the festival, the wickedly fun energy they brought to every scene.
Both of these provide comic relief by adding specific moments of humor (sometimes ad-free) for the Filipino audience to appreciate. His exaggerated movements and expressions are precisely timed to provide lightness in contrast to the tragedies of the other characters.
concert version
For Rachel Ann Gow, who is once again playing the role of Fantine, which she played in the West End, this concert version has its own charm.
“It's amazingly survivable even without the whole rotating set [of the traditional musical]. Music has its own heartbeat. It doesn't matter where you put the actors, it will stand on its own,” Ms. Go said at the press conference.
People may go to Solaire expecting the full stage experience, but this production's blend of musical theater and concert is still able to do justice to the beloved music and story. It is a spectacular spectacle with a live orchestra on a partially elevated stage, dynamic lighting and well-coordinated sound that helps the audience immerse themselves in the powerhouse performances of the artists.
The wooden barricade is a consistent visual motif on the stage, while a large LED screen is lit in the familiar French colors of blue, white and red. There is a screen on each side of the stage that shows close-ups of an actor during a solo performance, giving the performers ample opportunity for their tremendous talents to shine.
It's a full-circle moment for Ms. Go, who had her first show in London in 2015 before having children and still feels the pressure as the only Filipino in the cast. Her performance as Fantine is absolutely heartbreaking, her love for the role and the music so evident.
“I can rock out on stage and cry with my mouth open,” she explained. “Performing in front of the Filipino people is always a dream come true. This is where I started and I will always come back.”
The fourth Filipino in the main cast is Filipino-American Emily Bautista, who plays poor Eponine, who suffers from unrequited love for student-revolutionary Marius. He previously played the role in the North American tour Les Miserables In 2018.
Her take on “On My Own” highlights her crisp yet steady singing style, mixing vulnerability with a bit of defiance. The courage she brings is what sets her Éponine apart from previous versions.
Ms. Bautista said, “I'm proud to be Filipino. My parents will be in the audience and performing for the family means a lot to me.” “I'll be able to connect with my roots.”
Other artists included 'Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular'The Manila leg stars Geronimo Rouch as Jean Valjean, Jeremy Seccombe as Javert, Will Callan as Marius, Lulu-Mae Pierce as Cosette, Harry Chandler as Enjolras and Earl Carpenter as Bishop.
Music fans will love everything from the epic group scale of “One Day More” to the epic “Do You Hear the People Sing?” The experience may not be the same as full musical theater, but it's communal and will resonate with you long after you've gone home.
Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular Pasay will run until March 1 at the Solaire Theater in the city. — Bronte H. Laxmana