Lea back on Philippine stage

To this writer, Lea Salonga should be a National Artist. She should be officially nominated and if age is an impediment because some might say that she’s too young to be one, then she should be an exception. After all, she has broken glass ceilings that paved the way for actors who are now performing in the biggest theaters around the world.

She’s a national treasure. Her body of work is astounding. She made all of us proud when she snatched the Laurence Olivier and Tony trophies for Best Actress for her brilliant performance as Kim in Miss Saigon.

She inspires. She makes fledgling actors dream and believe that dreams come true — for as long as they put in a lot of discipline, hard work, focus and love into their craft — just as she did.

She’s gifted with enormous talent that she nurtures with passion and practice. She performs like it’s the last night of world. She takes you to the story of every song. When it’s about heartbreak, you feel the pain, when she sings “Goodbye,” you cry. Lea is a stunning performer even in her quietest moments on stage. She has a presence that is so formidable, not even Shamcey Supsup’s tsunami walk would distract the viewer. And when she takes on a role, she brings with her a sense of truth that’s so natural. It cannot not be a gift that has been nurtured by the human heart and spirit of one of the greatest Filipino performers of all time.

Today, the Tony Award-winning actress will return to the Philippine stage in July 2012 as Veronica in  Atlantis Productions’ staging of the Tony Award-winning comedy God Of Carnage, written by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton.

God Of Carnage won the Tony and Olivier Award in 2009 for Best Play. It is about two pairs of parents, one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park, who meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening evolving into chaos. 

It is also now a celebrated film titled Carnage, directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Cristoph Waltz and John C. Reilly.

God Of Carnage will mark Lea’s return to a straight play, her last being Proof almost 10 years ago, also with Atlantis Productions.  She will be joined by Singaporean actor Adrian Pang (whom she performed with in They’re Playing Our Song), award-winning actress Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and  Kitchen Musical star Art Acuña.  It will be directed by Bobby Garcia and is part of Atlantis Productions’ much heralded 2012 season.

On her return to the stage, Lea said, “It’s been almost 10 years since I last did a play, so I come into God of Carnage with a lot of excitement and fear. Excitement that I get to do this Tony Award-winning dark comedy by Yasmina Reza, and fear for that exact same reason.”

Her director, Bobby, who has directed her on stage in and concerts said, “Lea is one of the most fearless performers I know.  She will do a show precisely for the challenge it will bring her. She has always been one to break free of her comfort zone. There aren’t many as brave as her around. I have no doubt that she will excel in God Of Carnage, the way she has excelled in practically everything she has set her mind and heart on. I am thrilled to be directing her in this delicious comedy of bad manners.”

Lea said of her future co-stars. “I’m also excited that I get to do this with Adrian Pang, my partner in They’re Playing Our Song, a man with whom I couldn’t ever keep a straight face when doing a scene, and with Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, a personal and professional partner in crime (we first worked together in Rep’s Fiddler on the Roof as members of the ensemble, a billion years ago, and have since sung, acted, and even coached together) whose body of work I have only the deepest and more ardent respect for, and I’m thrilled that Art Acuña will be with us, too. I don’t know him personally, but only by reputation, and a very good one follows him from show to show. Bobby Garcia, a frequent collaborator and dear friend, will be at the helm, which only guarantees more belly-splitting laughter at every turn of this creative process. I look forward to sharing all this in July when God of Carnage finally arrives in Manila. We hope you all laugh with us as we explore the baser, more primitive levels of seemingly civilized society.”

The production will also travel to Singapore in November 2012 for a three-week run with the Singapore Repertory Theatre. It has collaborated with both Lea and Bobby on numerous productions in the past.

God Of Carnage will have a limited engagement from July 13 to 22 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Show nights are currently available for show buying and fundraising opportunities by calling Atlantis Productions at 892-7078.