The ‘Footloose’ cast loves to read!

Footloose, the ’80s film, has come to life onstage in Stages’ Footloose, the Musical, at the Meralco Theater. Opened last Sept. 2, the musical runs all weekends of September at the Meralco Theater.

The energetic cast is a mix of talents coming from mainstream television, theater and the recording scene, including Jay-R, Iya Villania, Agot Isidro, Audie Gemora, Jonard Yanzon, Gian Magdangal, Nikki Valdes, Maoui David, and many others. Chari Arespacochaga directs the musical.

The Reading Club asked some members of the cast to share their favorite books:

Agot Isidro, who plays Vi Moore

I love the "Harry Potter" series by JK Rowling. It is just simply something you can’t put down once you’ve started. And the pictures the books evoke just trigger your imagination. I guess I enjoy it because it brings out the child in me.

Iya Villania, who plays Ariel Moore

The last time I remember truly enjoying a book was when I read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery for a school book report. I was surprised by the story, by how the Little Prince’s journey unfolded. I guess it just really moved me.

Maoui David, chorus member

My favorite book is A Child Called "It" by David Pelzer. It’s a very sad story, and I like it because I’m quite an emotional person. There’s something about it that appealed to the part of me that’s a cry baby!

Jay-R, who plays Ren McCormack

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.

Hands down, it opens up your mind about religion. It even makes you question your faith, which doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s just good to be well-informed and to have a wide perspective of things. If your faith is well-grounded, nothing will ever be able to shake it anyway.

Nikki Valdez, who plays Wendy Jo

My fave book is The Five People You Meet in Heaven, because it somehow gave me an idea of what it’s going to be like in heaven and who we might encounter there. It helped me realize that we shouldn’t take anything for granted on earth because everything we do is accounted for. Our life has a purpose and there’s a reason behind everything that happens to us. We might not know it now but we will… in heaven.

* * *

The Reading Club recommends He’s Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt who by the way will be in the Philippines, specifically Greenbelt, on September 15 and 16. He is a funny, funny guy.

* * *

You may reach me with your book suggestions or comments at readclub@aol.com.