'Hairspray' : new musical theater stars
By Chari ArespacochagaPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 23:59:00 11/09/2008
MANILA, Philippines - We all saw how the most recent “Hairspray” movie found its adorable Tracy in the person of the very adorable Nikki Blonsky. She was said to have screamed with delight in her barista uniform when she found out she was to play the lead role in the movie. Needless to say, a star was born.
When “Hairspray” debuted on Broadway in 2002, in the cast with the powerhouses were young and upcoming performers Laura Bell Bundy as Amber, Kerri Butler as Penny and Matthew Morrison as Link.
The show went on to win numerous Tony awards, and the young performers went on to become Broadway stars in their own right.
Bundy created the role of Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde.” Butler donned an Australian accent and some leg warmers—much to to the audience’s delight—in “Xanadu.”
Morrison has become one of Broadway’s favorite romantic leads with acclaimed back-to-back turns in “Light in the Piazza” and last year’s Tony-winning revival of “South Pacific.”
Young pack
As Atlantis Productions’ highly anticipated “Hairspray” draws closer and closer to its Manila premiere, one can’t help but wonder at the future some theater newcomers will face after they begin their professional careers with this show.
Until then, they will be busy dancing and singing to the delightful music of “Hairspray.”
Leading the young pack are Madel Ching and Tim Espinosa playing Tracy Turnblad and Link Larkin, respectively.
Madel was a discovery from Ateneo Blue Repertory, where she played the hip-hopping nerd in “High School Musical.” When she auditioned for the role, it was clear that, with her ebullience and cheer and constant state of joy, she was perfect for Tracy.
Tim was one of the members of Star Magic Batch 15 at ABS-CBN, after coming home to the Philippines from the US. Before this, he was training as a dancer and actor with various community groups in California.
Giving strong support to Madel and Tim are the rest of the Baltimore kids: Criena House, Mark Tayag, Christine Allado, Lee Villoria, Erika Cedilla, Michael Odoemene and Karla Reyes.
Largely products of summer workshops and school theater and music organizations, they are brought together by their love for Broadway and affinity for the show. After all, how many shows are there for young performers to be able to perform in and play their own ages?
Madel recalls: “I’ve known ‘Hairspray’ since I was in high school. I fell in love with it, mostly because I identified with Tracy and everything that she stood for. She was a girl who, like me, just wanted to dance, sing and perform for people. So when I heard Atlantis was going to do it in Manila, I knew I couldn’t let the chance pass.”
Challenges
Now that they are all past the audition jitters and are in the thick of rehearsals for the show, the challenges and expectations have grown.
Lee, who plays Little Inez, shares: “Rehearsing for ‘Hairspray’ is wonderful! It’s an honor for me to be working with some of the hardcore theater people of our country.”
The theater stalwarts he’s referring to include Michael de Mesa, Leo Rialp, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Noel Rayos, Enchang Kaimo and Dulce.
Mark says: “Tito Leo once told me, ‘You have to give three times what you’re giving now so your story can reach the very back of the theater.’ And I try to always bear that in mind.”
They also recall the day when Dulce belted her way in and out of her songs and they were just stunned into silence (an unusual occurrence in a room of hyper kids).
Says Tim: “I am learning so much from all of them and not just about performing but more about the values that give performers longevity—perseverance, hard work, discipline and time management.”
Excitement
All rehearsals, of course, must end with a show. And, at this prospect, their excitement is palpable.
Christine says: “All of the elements of musical theater are hyped up and exaggerated to the highest level in ‘Hairspray.’ The singing is intense, the dancing is extreme, the acting is exaggerated (in a good way), the sets are fabulous, the costumes are adorable, and the story is just perfect, really. We promise, at the end of everything, you’ll find yourself giddy and at the edge of your seat because of the euphoria that ‘Hairspray’ brings!”
Acclaimed director Mike Nichols, while teaching an acting class, once said: “The actor’s job is to say his lines for the first time. Each time.”
And if the fine rapture of that first time is what counts, then these young ones are all a good reason to come and watch “Hairspray.”
“Hairspray” runs Nov. 14-Dec. 7 at the Star Theater, CCP Complex. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 8927078, 8401187 or Ticketworld at 8919999.
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