Better Hope That Slipper Fits!—‘Cinderella’ Headed to Bangkok
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While you’re perhaps waiting for a prince to come along to slip a glass slipper on your foot, indicating the literal crowning moment when you get to go live in the palace with him, star of stage and screen, Lea Salonga, is having that experience virtually every night in the current Broadway Asia Entertainment (BAE) production of Cinderella, on tour now. The carriage arrives in Bangkok at the Muang Thai Rachadalai Theatre December 16-21.
Salonga and renowned clothing designer Renato Balestra. He’s “the Italian clothing designer who has dressed some of
the world’s most famous women, from Hollywood royalty Elizabeth Taylor and Lauren Bacall, to Saudi Arabian princesses, and for leading celebrities of the international jet-set, from Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand to the empress of Iran, to the first ladies of Egypt and the Philippines.” Now everyone knows, as echoed by my sources, that Cinderella is a “timeless enchantment of the magical fairytale reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmark of originality, charm, and elegance. It is a breathtaking cavalcade of enchanting characters, unforgettable
songs, vibrant costumes, and a magical set created by the most imaginative talents on Broadway.”
Now, let me give you the skinny on Lea, as I’m friends with her publicist! Salonga “created the starring role in Miss
Saigon both in London’s West End and on Broadway—famous not only for her Broadway appearances, but for creating
the singing voices for Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in Mulan for Disney’s films.”
My source revealed, “Lea Salonga- Chien (born Maria Ligaya Carmen Imutan Salonga on February 22, 1971 in the
Philippines) is a multi-awarded Filipino singer and actress who is best
known for her acclaimed portrayal of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. In
the field of musical theater, she is recognized for having won the
Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Theatre World Awards, the
first to win various international awards for a single role. She was
also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on
Broadway.”
“In 2007, Salonga released her first studio album in seven years called ‘Inspired,’ which has been certified
platinum, and finished another stint in the musical Les Misérables on
Broadway, this time as Fantine. Lea Salonga started as a child star in
the Philippines, making her professional debut in 1978 at the age of
seven through the musical The King and I by Repertory Philippines. She
became the lead star of Annie and joined other productions
such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rose Tattoo, The Sound of Music, The Goodbye Girl,
Paper Moon, and The Fantasticks.” “Salonga’s big breakthrough came when she was selected to play Kim in the
mega hit musical Miss Saigon in 1989.
Unable to find a strong enough Asian actress/singer in the United Kingdom, the producers scoured many countries
looking for the lead role of this major British production. For her audition, the 17-year-old Salonga chose to sing
Boublil and Schönberg’s ‘On My Own’ from Les Misérables and was later asked to sing ‘Sun and Moon’ to test her voice
quality’s compatibility with the songs in the musical. The members of the panel were impressed with
Salonga’s rendition of the songs, noting that from Salonga’s very first note, they already knew they
had a potential Kim. Salonga competed with childhood friend and fellow
Repertory Philippines performer Monique Wilson as they were tested with
songs from the musical, which included ‘Too Much for One Heart,’ a
number replaced by the duet ‘Please’ right before the musical opened.
Salonga was offered the lead role, with Wilson as the alternate (who
was also assigned the role of bar girl Mimi).”
“For her performance as Kim, Salonga won the Olivier for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical for
the 1989/1990 season. From its original London home, Miss Saigon moved
to Broadway in April 1991. Salonga subsequently garnered the Tony,
Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and the Theatre World Awards for the
same role. Between 1993 and 1996, she was asked periodically to play
Kim on Broadway to boost ticket
sales. In 1999, she was invited back to London to close the musical,
and in 2001, at the age of 29 and after doing the Manila run of the
musical, Salonga returned to Broadway to close the Broadway production.”
For more information and tickets to
Cinderella (and perhaps, to learn where to find your prince!), visit
www.rachadalai. com/cinderella, www.ThaiTicketMajor. com, or call
0-2262-3456. I’ll see you
opening night!