Thrilled watching Lea on Broadway

Curtain-raiser:

• Reigning Miss Universe-Philippines Catriona Gray (photo)…

• On the Philippines not hosting the 2018 Miss Universe pageant: I’m not really particular about where the pageant will be held. I know that wherever in the world it will be, I will feel the presence of the Filipino supporters and they will make it a celebration nonetheless.

• On former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach’s comment (in yesterday’s STAR story) that it’s a nice experience to compete abroad: Pia would know, having competed abroad and having passed on her crown here in the Philippines, so she has first-hand experienced both. Again, wherever it will be, will be. I’m just excited to represent the Philippines on the international stage.

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STAR columnist Anthony Suntay (center) with business partner Ernest Estrella and friend Anilyn Pitao before the show…

“Oh my!!! Thanks to our fans for all the island love!!!”

With that, Lea Salonga received the Best Featured Actress in a Musical honors from the 16th Theater Fans’ Choice Awards for her performance as Erzulie in the Broadway musical Once On This Island. Her co-star, Alex Newell, won Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

The musical bagged more awards: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design, Best Orchestrations, Best Scenic Design, Best Sound Design of a Musical and Best Musical Ensemble.

“I want to congratulate Lea for adding another feather to her already well-decorated cap,” said STAR columnist Anthony Suntay. “My friends and I were lucky to have caught the musical at the Circle in the Square Theater in New York three weeks before the Fans’ Choice Awards.”

Barely two weeks ago, Once On This Island won Best Revival of a Musical at the 72nd Tony Awards.

The trip was actually unplanned, according to Anthony who was in Toronto for a worldwide conference for his work with UMAC Forwarders Express with his business partner Ernest Estrella.

“Ernest suggested we make a quick trip to New York,” Anthony related in his letter to Funfare, “and it gave me an opportunity to see some friends and to visit the office of Major League Soccer. I also watched a game between the New York City FC and Colorado Rapids at the historic Yankee Stadium at the Bronx.”

But the highlight of their New York side trip was, yes, watching Lea on Broadway.

…and after the show with Hailey Kilgore (who plays Ti Moune in Once On This Island).

“We were very lucky that Ernest’s good friend Anilyn Pitao was able to secure tickets because the matinee show was sold out,” continued Anthony. “So together with my son, Kael, we all trooped to the quaint theater where notable celebrities like Mathew Broderick and Al Pacino had previously performed.”

Once On This Island is a story of a peasant girl, Ti Moune, who uses love to bring together people of different social classes, intertwined with her love affair with Daniel, from the upper class of society. Lea plays Erzulie, the goddess of love, who guides and supports Ti Moune in her quest.

“I was amazed at how Lea mesmerized the crowd with her presence, and captivated all of us with her singing,” gasped Anthony. “I have watched Lea since she was a young performer in locally-produced musicals and so it’s no surprise that she was brilliant. I was actually starting to think that I was just being biased since I have been a fan of Lea since forever, but listening to all the other members of the audience discuss her performance after the show really made me beam with pride.

“They were mentioning that despite the many talented actors and actresses in the show, Lea was the one who truly stood out. That wasn’t necessarily disrespectful to the other members of the cast; it’s just that Lea was truly in a class of her own.”

After the show, dozens of theater-goers eagerly waited to meet the cast, and they were looking forward to meeting Lea, but they were disappointed that she didn’t come out because she apparently rushed home to be with her daughter Nicole.

“Well,” added Anthony, “all I can say is that if you happen to be in New York, rush to the Circle on the Square and watch Lea in Once On This Island before the musical closes maybe end of this month. And, yes, I’m biased but I don’t think anyone can enthrall the Broadway fans as well as Lea does!”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)