RUSHES SPECIAL
‘West Side’ backstage stories
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:11:00 09/08/2008
MANILA, Philippines - Christian Bautista says in confidence, “At night, I go to the house of Joanna (Ampil) or Karylle, to practice kissing... with Dingdong’s permission.” But he hastily adds, “Joke!”
The singer-stage actor and the girls are the lead stars in Stages’ production of “West Side Story,” current talk of the town. Christian plays the love-struck Tony.
We gathered some juicy backstage bits, straight from the horses’ mouths.
•Joanna Ampil (Maria): “Before [‘West Side Story’] the only time I met Christian was when he watched ‘Les Miserables’ in London. And we talked for like, 20 minutes. So here—of course it’s his first lead role, so medyo hiya-hiya especially when we were rehearsing the kisses. But after several weeks, Direk Menchu (Lauchengco-Yulo) was like, ‘Could you now tone down the kissing?’
“One fantastic moment was when the cast of the ’80s ‘West Side’ production—Audie Gemora, Cocoy Laurel and Menchu, who played Riff, Tony and Maria —were all here in the dressing room with the new Riff, Tony and Maria!”
•Jake Macapagal (Bernardo and Chino): “I’m one of the oldest in the cast and I dance with people half my age, so there’s a lot of expectation there... I have to keep up the energy. And since I play the leader of the Puerto Ricans, I can’t be just a good dancer; I have to be a damn good dancer.”
•Jordan (Baby John): “I’m supposed to be really professional. I’m never late. I never forget anything. During the auditions, I was so nervous, I went to the 10 a.m. but I was there at 8 a.m. At 10, when everyone was coming in, I realized I had forgotten my CD case! I meant to be first in line, but I ended up number 40.”
•Rowena Villar (Anita): “It’s my first time here in the Philippines (Leo Valdez urged her to try out, and highly recommended her to the producers). In Australia, everything is timed down to the last minute. Even coffee breaks are like ... you’re carrying stopwatches. Here, it’s so different, and I’ve learned to adapt. As for the audience, Filipinos sometimes talk while watching, which is normal. Australians don’t move and are [totally] quiet. I find that strange.”
•Gerard Salonga (musical director): “I heard that ‘West Side Story’ was being mounted and I told myself, ‘I have to be a part of that.’ [Leonard] Bernstein is an idol of mine, and teacher of two of my own teachers in conducting. So I felt a special connection to him. It is very difficult music, and it’s considered a feather in any musician’s cap to pull it off.”
Karylle (Maria):“One Sunday, I watched ‘Cinderella.’ The next day, may kumakaway sa akin [during the] orchestra rehearsal. Ang labo ng mata ko, e... I wondered, ‘Sino ’to?’ Pagkita ko, si Lea Salonga! I was nervous because it was my first time to sing with the entire orchestra... tapos nando’n pa si Lea. So, ang sakit-sakit ng ulo ko sa nerbiyos. Nando’n na si Gerard, nando’n pa si Lea.
“Later, she talked to me and said, ‘Your voice is there [but] your body is collapsing. I’m going to try and experiment on you.’ She gave me exercises backstage.
“Then she came back ... nagpo-photo booth ako d’yan, biglang may kumatok. Pagbukas ko, si Lea Salonga. Tinuruan na naman niya ako. When we were doing exercises, she really looked me in the eye ... feeling ko tina-transfer ’yung powers niya sa akin. Sabi ko naman, sige nga, para may makuha ako.”
Lea Salonga (guest and guest mentor): “It’s about time that Menchu directed [such a production]. I send her love and good vibe and a lot of calm ... Rowena Villar is so amazing!
* * *
Say chiz-miz
(Because Gossiptown never sleeps.)
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