LEA Salonga will play the pivotal role of Grizabella in Lunchbox Theatrical Productions’ staging of “Cats” in Manila.
The UK group (with subsidiaries in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore) is working with the Philipines’ Concertus Inc. to bring the musical, one of the longest-running of all time, here next year.
Lea joins an international cast. As Grizabella, who is shunned by her tribe, Lea gets to sing the biggest hit to come out of the show, “Memory.” In fact, she performs the song twice, in Parts One and Two.
Trevor Nunn, original director (The New London Theater, May 1981), says Grizabella is “an intensely recognizable character, with powerful human resonances.” The first Grizabella would have been Dame Judi Dench, but she severed her Achilles tendon during rehearsals and had to be replaced five days before the first preview.
“Cats,” named Best Musical in the Olivier and Tony Awards, has been presented in over 300 cities worldwide. In Manila, it will run for four weeks starting in July, with a gala night and weekend matinees, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
