Boy Abunda (BA): Tell us about The Flower Drum Song and the role that you play, Mei Li. What are the challenges in taking on this new role?
Lea Salonga (LS): The biggest challenge for me is the Peking Opera choreography in the first scene. It’s a warrior ballet and learning the vocabulary was quite difficult. It took some time to understand what it was about. Some of the songs are also quit challenging to sing, most notably Love Look Away, which is one of R & H’s most beautiful song. As for the acting, the challenge is mapping the journey Mei-Li takes from her decision to leave China to becoming an American on her own terms, following her heart and becoming comfortable in her own skin.
BA: You’re now living in Los Angeles. How does it compare/differ from life in New York. What adjustments have you had to make?
LS: Well, the biggest adjustment for me was learning to drive. The minute I got the offer to do Flower Drum, I knew I had to march to the DMV in New York, get my permit and start learning. I went to driving school in the city, was assigned to a great instructor and started to drive. I also had to move to LA without my family around, but thankfully I have friends in Los Angeles who were there for me when I was most stressed.
BA: Before Flower Drum Song, you were in the daily soap opera As The World Turns. What was it like working on that TV show?
LS: It was great. That being said, I wasn’t too happy about the occasional 5 a.m. wake-up call. I’m a major night owl and waking up when I’m usually just falling asleep didn’t agree with me very much. But I loved the work, learned a lot and made some friends.
BA: Do you think more doors are opening for the Asian performer in the US?
LS: I’m certainly optimistic and hoping that this is the case. But it’s still difficult. I’m hoping that with Lucy Liu and Ming-Na being so visible in the film and TV industry, that more Asian performers will be given the opportunity to shine.
BA: You’ll be returning to Manila in December to begin rehearsals for Proof. What attracted you to this play?
LS: David Auburn’s script. I loved that there was so much honor written for these characters and their scenes. As dramatic as many of the moments were, there was also a lot to laugh about.
BA: What is Proof all about? Do you think it will strike a chord with Filipino audiences?
LS: Proof is all about a young girl who inherited a most incredible mathematical mind from her genius of a father, and fears that because of his dementia, she might end up the same. It also shows her strained relationship with her older sister and her immediate trust in her father’s student. It’s interesting to watch her journey, and I love that she embraces the gift at the end.
I hope it will strike a chord with Filipino audiences. All of us take something from our parents, carrying it on to the next generation. But, will what we take strike fear in ourselves, or strength and inspiration. Perhaps both.
BA: Why have you chosen a drama and not a musical this time around?
LS: I wanted to do something that didn’t require me to sing. Which means I can devote much more of my energy to my family and friends during the holidays.
BA: Tell us about Catherine, the role you’ll be playing in Proof. Who is she?
LS: Catherine is a 25-year old girl who takes care of her mathematics genius of a father in his last year of life. She inherited her father’s genius, and actually is able to figure out a mathematical proof that many mathematicians before were not able to figure out. She also fears, however that along with her father’s genius, she inherited his dementia.
BA: What was the last dramatic play you did? How does it feel to be returning to this medium?
LS: My goodness, the last was The Bad Seed. I was 9 going to 10.
BA: What do you look for in choosing shows or roles to do?
LS: Somehow by some strange dictate of fate the roles I play are women who follow their hearts. Other roles are of women who take a journey towards being more comfortable in themselves. Proof is one such journey and I look forward to taking it.
BA: Who are the performers or people who have influenced and inspired you?
LS: Jodie Foster, Barbra Streisand are two that I can name off the top of my head. They are women who have taken Hollywood by storm in their own terms, retaining dignity and integrity in their work.
BA: Having already accomplished so much and having performed some of the most coveted roles on stage, is there still a dream role you someday hope to perform?
LS: Not really. . . I used to have dream roles, but you know what, there are reasons why I find myself in the shows I do, and take whatever lessons can be learned from the pieces and apply them to my life.
BA: Playwright David Auburn says that Proof deals with the legacy of a family. What your parents pass on to you. What traits you might or might not inherit from them. How important is "family" to you.
LS: Very important. My family is my rock, my core, a source of strength. I know what I’ve inherited and celebrated those traits, as they are a large part of who I am as a person. From my mom in particular, I inherited strength, integrity and honesty. Living on my own, I’ve discovered that there’s a lot of her in me, and I’m thankful for that. You know, you’d better be tough when living alone.
(Proof by David Auburn runs from January 9 to 27, 2002 at the GSIS Theater. For sponsorship, show buying or ticket reservations, contact Atlantis Productions at 892 70-78. Tickets go on sale starting on Nov. 9.)