Rachelle is ‘it’

Several issues ago, Funfare has been hinting that a Filipina would be tapped for the lead role of Kim in the revival of the Cameron Mackintosh megahit musical Miss Saigon in May next year, not at Drury Lane where it originated in 1989 but at the Prince Edward Theater also in London’s West End. The lucky girl is Eva Noblezada, 17, of Charlotte, North Carolina, whose aunt, Annette Calud, also performed in the musical’s Broadway staging first as a bar girl and then as Lea Salonga’s understudy.

The good news is that a Philippine-based talent is included in the cast as Gigi (originated on West End by Isay Alvarez) and she’s none other than Rachelle Ann Go who was among the rumored six shortlisted from among hundreds of auditionees held in Manila late last year.

“Actually, I knew that I made it a few weeks ago when I went to London for the casting,” Rachelle told Funfare. “But I couldn’t talk about it because I was told not to, so I just said that I was going there for a vacation.”

Rachelle recalled that she was aiming for the role of Kim, which Lea originated on West End, and in fact she sang two Kim songs for the audition. However, at 28, she was deemed too old to be Kim so she was assigned the role of Gigi instead.

“OK pa rin,” added Rachelle. “What’s important is that I am included in the cast.”

Rachelle will start formal rehearsals for the musical in March next year in London where she will stay for the duration of her contract which was being ironed out by Viva Group of Companies, her home studio, as of yesterday.

When Lea, then barely 18, was in London, she was accompanied by her mom, Ligaya.

“I will be there by myself,” said Rachelle whose board and lodging will be taken care of by the producers. Otherwise, if she brings her mom, or a chaperon along, “I will have to pay for her plane fare and other expenses, Anyway, I’m old enough to take care of myself.”

The only other Filipino known in the Miss Saigon restaging so far is Jonjon Briones as The Engineer. Briones has been in the cast since the musical started.

Briefly noted

 Melanie Marquez, who’s now living in Sevier County, Utah, USA, held a charity yard sale last Nov. 16 with other Filipino families, and another one on Nov. 23, for the Yolanda victims. Also in the US, Cher Calvin hosted a three-hour telethon called Season of Sharing: Help for the Philippines on KTLA 5 in Southern California and raised more than $152,000 also for Yolanda victims. 1988 Mutya ng Pilipinas-World Dana Narvaez-Silverio is among the volunteers at Villamor Airbase who assist incoming evacuees from Tacloban. Meanwhile, Annalie “Ali” Forbes (who is being managed by Claire dela Fuente) placed third runner-up in the first ever Miss Grand International pageant held in Bangkok last Nov. 19. Winner was Janelee Chaparro Marcus Colon of Puerto Rico. Another Filipino, Gil Wagas, finished fourth runner-up in the 2013 Mister International contest won by Jose Anmer Paredes of Venezuela.

—Reported by Celso de Guzman Caparas

 Filipino pageant campaigners abroad continue to reap honors. Former (2010) Mr. World-Philippines and professional model Alvin de Joya of Cauayan City, Isabela, placed second runner-up at the ATV Mr. Asia 2013 contest held last Nov. 15 in Hong Kong. Organized by Asian Television Limited, the contest consisted of 18 hopefuls from the Asia-Pacific region. Winner was Mr. China Zhong Hao while Mr. Malaysia Gibson Yee was first runner-up.

— Reported by Funfare’s ‘beauty experts’ Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib

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