A little reinvention for Dawn

God has given people so many talents that it is sometimes impossible to canvass all of these in one go.

In local Tinseltown, we have Michael V starting out as a rap singer-songwriter only to evolve as a formidable comedian. Sexy stars Jaclyn Jose and Rio Locsin eventually proved their mettle in drama and even won awards for some of their portrayals. Jaclyn and Rio are two of today’s most respected drama actors. Dingdong Dantes broke into showbiz as a dancer before he metamorphosed into a matinee idol.

Well, Dawn Zulueta may just spring the next surprise. In taking on the role of Desiree Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, she is required to also sing — something her fans have not seen her do since her RSVP days many years ago.

The actress admits that she had to listen to the songs first before accepting the project. As she fully knows how revered Sondheim’s songs are, she didn’t want to fall flat on her face in rendering these songs especially since this is only the second time she has ventured into theater after Larawan: The Musical some 10 years back.

Atlantis Productions’ Bobby Garcia bolstered her confidence by pointing out that Sondheim’s songs aren’t usually meant for belters but for actors. This is the reason that even Catherine Zeta-Jones had no problem sounding like a pro when she did the Broadway version.

Inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s film Smiles of a Summer Night, A Little Night Music is set in the early 20th century and tracks the romantic liaisons involving   middle-age lawyer Fredrick, glamorous actress Desirée, and her lover Count Malcolm. Fredrick is stuck in an unconsummated marriage to his young trophy wife, and when he resumes an affair with Desirée, the jealous Count Malcolm sets off a chain of events that entangles all in a complex web of romance, accompanied by Sondheim’s trademark waltz.

A Little Night Music is one of Sondheim’s most accomplished works. It was first staged in Broadway in 1973 and eventually won the Tony Award for Best Musical. It features the classic tune, Send In  The Clowns.

According to Dawn, she did not take voice lessons for A Little Night Music. Though she did not pursue singing professionally at the height of her career, she comes from a musical family. She practiced her songs in A Little Night Music at home much to the delight of her captive audience namely her kids Jacobo and Ayisha, and her husband, Davao Rep. Anton Lagdameo.

These three people prevent Dawn from taking on projects that require much from her time. The actress said that family comes first and that if all its members are happy, then that is her biggest success.

A Little Night Music opens today at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Others in the cast are Noni Buencamino, Cris Villonco, Jake Macapagal, Jenny Jamora, Felix Rivera and Jay Glorioso. Also featured in the ensemble are Raul Montesa, Teenee Chan, Agnes Barredo, Jenny Nuyda, Glen Llanes, Alys Serdenia, Crystal Paras, Bea Garcia and Anthony Tarrosa Ong. Directed by Bobby Garcia, A Little Night Music will also run at Singapore’s Esplanade Theater after its Manila engagement.

* * *

Unforgettable scenes from the films of Federico Fellini, master of Italian cinema, will come to life onstage in I Bislacchi Omaggio a Fellini, Eccentrics, Homage to Fellini, a production of the Italian dance company Compagnia Artemis Danza, on Oct. 27, 8 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater.  

 Accompanied by the famous melodies of Italian composer Nino Rota,  dancers of Compagnia Artemis Danza will re-evoke and reinvent images, scenes and characters from six popular Fellini films, namely La Strada, Amarconi, La Dolce Vita, Intervista, Casanova, and 8 ½.

The Compagnia Artemis Danza, in addition to its performance at the CCP, will hold a workshop on Oct. 24 at the CCP Rehearsal Hall, and on Oct. 25 at the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Intramuros.

The show is a presentation of the Embassy of the Republic of Italy and the Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with Rustan’s, Philippine Italian Association and The Peninsula Manila.        

For details, call the CCP Box-Office at tel. nos. 832-1125 local 3704 and 832-1125 local 1409.