By JOSEPH CORTES
WE take it for granted that the musical “Miss Saigon” did much good for Filipino actors. Since the musical first premiered at London’s West End in 1989 with Lea Salonga in the lead role, so many local theater talents were discovered and have starred in productions that covered Europe, the United States and Canada. The interest in the revival temporarily set for 2014 will undoubtedly revive the fascination Filipinos had for Kim and her tragic life when the show was first produced.
It didn’t come as a surprise to discover that all members of West End Mamas, the trio of Filipino singer-actresses who have worked and performed in London’s West End, were all, at one time in their lives, “Miss Saigon” cast members. Ces Campos-Bonner did perform Kim in Manila when the show was staged here and in Asia in early 2000; she also sang it in London, Europe and Australia. Maya Barredo-Duffy also played Kim around the United Kingdom and at the musical’s home, Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Gia Macuja-Atchison did the roles of Gigi and Ellen in London, too.
That’s why it was such a treat to see them performing together on stage at Ballet Manila’s recent “Ballet & Ballads,” which will have final shows at the Aliw Theater on Feb. 23 (11 a.m and 3 p.m.). When they sang some of the famous tunes from “Miss Saigon,” you would be amazed at the amount of talent the Philippines sent abroad because of that single musical.
Ballet Manila’s “Ballet & Ballads” has become a standard program for Ballet Manila. The combination of ballet and pop in one show packs in the crowds. Whether you go to the theater for dance or music, you get both in one tidy package in this show. Really, there’s something for everyone in this show.
The West End Mamas did deliver in their first outing in Manila giving audiences an idea as to what we missed as they were performing to a foreign crowd abroad. In medleys of hit tunes from musicals, big band and disco, the trio had the audience enthralled.
The show’s highlights were the songs from “Miss Saigon” and a medley of tunes from Andrew Lloyd Webber. Atchison and Duffy sang “The Movie in My Mind,” while Bonner did “I’ll Give My Life for You.” They might be older now when they first did these roles, but that didn’t mean that they could no longer sing them. Such power from Bonner; she could easily outsing anyone as Kim, something she proved when she played the role in Manila. Duffy was a more mature Kim, although not less powerful than her fellow Kim. We got a good idea of Atchison’s middle range as Gigi. Maybe she had a little difficulty with her high notes, something that was obvious in the Lloyd Webber medley, but then the music track was a bit too loud, something common in concerts such as these.
The selection of Lloyd Webber songs was just as fantastic: “Love Changes Everything” from “Aspects of Love,” “Unexpected Song” from “Song and Dance” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from “Jesus Christ Superstar.” As in the “Miss Saigon” selections, they did not disappoint. In fact, you end up wanting to hear more from them.
The other numbers were just as impressive: “Dreamgirls” from the show of the same name; “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked”; a couple of big band tunes (“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Mr. Sandman”); some disco hits; and a medley from “Mamma Mia,” which was capped by a rousing version of “Dancing Queen.”
In some of these numbers, the West End Mammas were partnered by Ballet Manila dancers. And if Ballet Manila is dancing, can prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde be far behind?
This was Macuja’s first time to since she was advised by her doctor to give her feet a rest. And truly, she was back to her old form. In the Balcony Scene from “Romeo and Juliet,” she was simply ravishing, partnered by the ardent Rudy de Dios. This number used the new choreography by Augustus “Bam” Damian, which had its premiere last year in the show “The Legends and the Classics,” which, BM insiders say might have a repeat this year. What is fascinating about Damian’s Balcony Scene is that the lovers do not kiss until the very last minute. This restraint makes the choreography all the more sweeter, the pairing youthfully ardent.
Macuja made a couple of appearances in the “Wicked” and “Mamma Mia” numbers. In “Wicked,” she flew up on a flying machine, while some of the boys climbed up rope ladders. In “Mamma Mia,” she was grooving to disco, with a little swing thrown in for good measure.
The rest of the show featured standards in the BM repertoire. The “Le Corsaire” pas de trois with Dawna Mangahas, Harold Salgado and Elpidio Magat was a delight, while Tiffany Chiang, Alvin Santos and Glenn Ragel had perfect comic timing in the challenging “The Fairy Doll.” Damian’s award-winning “Reconfigured” got another staging. It continues to be a powerful number featuring the company’s male dancers.
Based on Macuja’s performance that night, it seems the planned third installment of her “Swan Song” series just might push through. It is something worth looking forward to by yearend.
