Finally, we have news of the female leads for STAGES' local production of West Side Story! We learned from our friends from PEP that GMA-7 artist Karylle and international theater star Joanna Ampil will be alternating their leading lady roles opposite Christian Bautista in this popular Broadway musical.Set on Manhattan's Upper West Side, this musical chronicles the battle of two rival teenage gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. At the center of the gangs' conflict are Tony (Christian) and Maria (Karylle and Joanna), the Romeo and Juliet-type figures of the story. It is an extremely popular musical, with songs such as "I Feel Pretty," "America," and "Somewhere," that have wormed their way into pop culture.
Oliver Oliveros of STAGES told PEP that Karylle stood out in the auditions, but she still might need vocal coaching to be sure that she hits the right notes. Joanna, meanwhile, became a shoo-in after she sent her beautiful version of "Think of Me" from The Phantom of the Opera. Since she broke out in West End in 1993 for playing Kim in Miss Saigon, Joanna has been making us proud for being a star in London, where she played Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and Eponine in Les Miserables.
Ticket prices are yet to be announced, but be sure to look out for announcements here in FN Culture! West Side Story will finally come to Manila in September at the Meralco Theater.
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