Jackie Lou B. takes a big step

Jackie Lou Blanco looks 10 years younger than her 42. She looks beautiful and happy. Nobody would ever believe that her oldest child is now 23 and the youngest is 15. Leading a healthy life, she is also focused on what she does — whether mothering to her children or rehearsing for a play.

Last year, Jackie Lou took a big step after several years of absence by playing a major role in Atlantis Productions’ In The Heights. Yes, there were numerous showbiz opportunities but playing Camila, a mother in a neighborhood in Manhattan who tries to cope with rapid changes around her, was “one of the best decisions” she’s ever made. She performed her musical theater debut before impressed audiences. And a repeat of that is happening in March this year.

“It’s really a dream come true for me. The feeling is indescribable. I am just so glad I tried out theater again. The cast and production made it easy for me. And this is just so memorable,” said Jackie Lou.

Like many, Jackie Lou used to have her own fears of the theater. In The Heights is her first English musical. “May takot ako. In theater, iba ang dating dapat.” Although she had done a straight play, Rizal, way back in 1997, working on a musical was a different kind of experience. “I know the discipline, the long rehearsals, and I thought, mahihirapan ako, but I didn’t. Everybody was supportive.”

And how did she handle the jitters? “I’m a very positive person. I drink plenty of water. Sabi ko, ngayon lang ito. I really pray a lot. Dasal ako nang dasal.” And during the first night of the show, Jackie Lou felt like, “lalagnatin ako.”

Jackie Lou and the entire cast pulled it through and with flying colors. “We were all prepared. We rehearsed.”

As a film actor, Jackie Lou’s filmography includes Si Aida, Si Lorna, o Si Fe, Isusumbong Kita Sa Diyos, Misis Mo, Misis Ko, Kung Aagawin Mo Man Ang Lahat Sa Akin, Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa, I Love You Mama, I Love You Papa, I Can’t Stop Loving You, Palabra de Honor, Friends in Love, My Only Love, Working Girls, Ouija and Shake Rattle and Roll 12.

What is her take on theater being not financially rewarding compared to TV or the movies? “Compared to the fee I used to get in the ’90s, malaki na itong nakukuha ko. Sa ibang bansa, theater runs for years; dito hindi pwede, pero I hope it gets to a point that it can run for years and maybe support the artists. I mean an actor should be able to live it off with just performing in theater.”

The Tony Award-winning In The Heights is a quintessential New York musical about a vibrant and tight-knit community at the top of the island of Manhattan. Its repeat runs from March 16 to 25, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. 

Here’s another good news from Atlantis Productions. After the success of its productions of Disney’s Beauty & The Beast in 2005 and Disney’s The Little Mermaid last year, Atlantis Productions proudly announces that it has been handpicked by Disney Theatricals to stage the Asian premiere of its newest full-length stage musical Disney’s Aladdin. Based on the much-loved animated classic, Disney’s Aladdin tells the story of a street-smart commoner whose whole life changes with one rub of a magic lamp.

Atlantis Productions’ creative head, Bobby Garcia, says, “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Disney Theatricals with their brand new stage musical Disney’s Aladdin, which only recently premiered in the United States. We are honored that Disney has handpicked us to premiere the musical in Asia. We look forward to creating the whimsical world of Agrabah and the enchanting Arabian nights where Aladdin and Princess Jasmine take flight on their romantic magic carpet ride. It will definitely be the musical event for families in 2012. We can’t wait to begin.”

Disney’s Aladdin will definitely be the family musical event of the year.  For details, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078.