CATS in Manila to Feature Tony Winner Lea Salonga as 'Grizabella', Begins Run 7/24/2010

[ooliveros]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 9:51am

Click Here to Read CATS in Manila to Feature Tony Winner Lea Salonga as 'Grizabella', Begins Run 7/24/2010

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 2:07pm

Well, she'll sound great on "Memory".

~Steven

[ooliveros]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 6:23pm

Yep, she will =)

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 6:31pm

Is it just me, or am I really sad that this is where Lea Salonga's career is?

[nealb1]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 6:49pm

Why would anyone think that Lea is in a sad spot regarding her career?

She's an actress/singer who needs to work. And, now she's got another job - singing one of the most recognized songs in the history of musical theatre, in one of the most successful musicals of all time.

She's a huge star in Manila, and the show will make tons of money. Good for her.

A win/win situation. And, Lea is a big girl - if she didn't want to do it, she wouldn't.
Updated On: 11/3/09 at 06:49 PM

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 6:56pm

Good for her and great for the production.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 6:57pm

She's probably getting a fat payday for a featured role singing the show's best song-nothing to feel sad about there. Also, she is 20x bigger in Manila than she is here, so she is probably getting an obscene payday and people will flock to see her. She's a great actress will bring alot to the part.

[BWNUT]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 7:44pm

She'll make a lot of money, sure. But it would have been great to see her become a part of the current exciting Broadway scene and a BIGGER INTERNATIONAL star, not just in Manila or Asia, if she was based in the US. But I guess she set her priorities and sticking to them.
Updated On: 11/3/09 at 07:44 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 8:23pm

She probably gets more money and acclaim in a Manila production than a Broadway one. Broadway is not the center of the universe for all performers.

[maila]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 8:25pm

ooliveros, what happened to the rumored news years ago that cameron mackintosh told dulce, the filpina singer that he will cast her as grizabella in an asian production of cats? did it ever happen? he was so impressed with her during her ms saigon audition but he didnt have a role for her in it. so he supposedly told her this.
btw, good for lea! im sure she wants to remain in manila with her kid and be able to work at the same time singing one of the most famous songs in musical history. i still dont like cats though Updated On: 11/3/09 at 08:25 PM

[new2broadway02]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 11:32pm

PiraguaGuy2, I feel the same way.

nealb1, all your points make sense. But it doesn't make me feel better. I don't know why it matters to me. I just wish she was as big a star here as she is in the Philippines.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 11:43pm

Nothing wrong with being featured in Cats in a local production. Regardless, Lea's successful national tour is still going strong with Toronto, Houston, Austin, Honolulu and Maui left. She then heads to Manila for another big concert, followed by a symphonic concert in Singapore. She will then headline "Allegiance, the Musical" in 2010 on Broadway, and possibly some more concerts in the US in spring.

Updated On: 11/4/09 at 11:43 PM

[nealb1]

Posted: 11/4/09 at 2:37pm

new2broadway02, I couldn't agree with you more. You'd think that she would be a huge star here in the US. But, that's not the case...........too bad!

[BWNUT]

Posted: 11/4/09 at 3:24pm

Lea has what it takes to be a big, big Broadway star but, aside from talent, that requires constant exposure and participation. Since she's based halfway around the world away from Broadway (the center of the musical theater universe, whether you agree or not), she has not been able to get to that next higher level.

btw, is that "Allegiance, the Musical" definitely going to B'way? That would be the kind of exposure and participation I'm talking about.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 11/4/09 at 3:45pm

Is Allegiance a go for a Broadway bow?

According to their facebook and email from the production staff, yes. It's being worked on and it has been changed to a completely sung-through musical. It will tour prior to Broadway, initially at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego (sans Lea), and a reading early next year on Broadway, then a staging fall/winter 2010, if I recall. The facebook has a couple of videos from the LA workshop featuring Lea Salonga, Jennifer Paz, Jose Llana, Mike Lee, etc. Check out the video "Gaman" ("endure" in Nippongo), quite a beautiful piece.



Gaman (From the LA Workshop)

Updated On: 11/4/09 at 03:45 PM

[new2broadway02]

Posted: 11/4/09 at 9:21pm

I thought it wasn't confirmed yet that Lea would be a part of the Broadway staging. But if they've been "eyeing" her to star in it, it has to be almost certain, right? So when it is, I'll book a flight to NY. And I'll make Allegiance my first Broadway show.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 12:47am

new2broadway02 - On Lea's casting since its announcement in the news section here, fans asked the creative staff to confirm it, in which they replied...

"Lea was part of the first development reading, and we look forward to working with her on each new, exciting stage of the show's growth. The producers know this a bit better, but it is my understanding that, beyond the development contracts that are already in place, Broadway contracts will be drawn up with the stars after the Broadway Production Company is established, which should be happening soon!"

Keep checking the musical's website for updates.

Updated On: 11/5/09 at 12:47 AM

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 1:02am

Well, the woman can't play Kim, Eponine, Fantine, Mei-Li forever, so she should graduate to these "older" female roles. Eventually, I'd like to see her do SUNSET BOULEVARD, most likely to be done in the Philippines. Besides which, she made a conscious decision to raise her family in the Philippines, so good for her: she has a built-in audience there so she won't want for work as much as if she were living in the U.S.

Salonga has already blazed the trail for many Asians in the musical theatre, and to me, that's already the mark of her being not only an amazing performer but also of her achieving the status as a star player on Broadway. Lots of Asian performers realize this about Lea Salonga.

Also, let's get real here: what show would she be doing here in New York anyway? Kim was the apex of her career. She peaked early, but it is what it is. She still has an excellent career but I would be the first one to admit I'm wrong if there's ever another opportunity for a non-American like Salonga to headline a show here. She may be Audra McDonald's contemporary, but they don't have the same vocal abilities and star power.

And that's perfectly fine. Updated On: 11/5/09 at 01:02 AM

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 3:28am

and let's face it... although she's a Tony Award winning actress... she is Filipina and despite playing Fantine and Eponine... that aren't too many roles out there for her that she would be cast in... she's stated in interviews that she's auditioned for roles but didn't get them because she was Filipina...

[ooliveros]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 4:33am

Well said jsg03jd, eatlasagna =)

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/6/09 at 3:31am

Something in me really wants to see her take on a Sondheim role on Broadway. I hope it happens one day.

That's sad that she was considered out of the running for roles because she's Filipina. She's Tony Award winner Lea Salonga for goodness' sake! If Phylicia Rashad can play the matriarch in August: Osage County, then they could certainly make an exception for Lea in certain cases. Although Lea is a huge draw in Asia and especially in the Philippines, I'm sure she can bring the Asians in the US to come see her. I'll certainly be there!

~Steven

[augustine73]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 10:56am

i think lea salonga has her priorities straight. she wants to balance career and family. somehow she's good in doing that. although i do wish she's US based so she can explore other opportunities like TV and movies maybe...

[BWNUT]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 1:18pm

It's just sad to read and attend all these Broadway and American theater shows, events, and activities and not seeing Lea's name attached to any of them. It's her rightful place.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 1:29pm

If I'm not mistaken, a casting agent once said "She's too Asian!". What the heck does that mean!?

[BWNUT]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 2:56pm

That's ironic since I've heard some Filipinos say she's too "American/Westernized."