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One of the quirks of Tony award-winning musical Hairspray is its tradition of casting a male actor to play Edna Turnblad, the heavyweight mother of Tracy, a “pleasantly plump” teenager who dreams of being in the fictional Corny Collins Show. For Atlantis Productions’ take on Hairspray, veteran stage actor and showbiz icon Michael de Mesa is more than happy to take on the challenge of playing a woman.

FemaleNetwork got the chance to sit down with Michael during the rehearsals of Hairspray last week. Read on to know Michael’s preparations for his role as Edna, and what he thinks of high heels.

What are the challenges of this role, and what is your mindset in facing them?
Edna’s not a cross-dresser, she’s a woman. It’s a bit hard because there’s a thin line [between] men playing gay roles and real female roles. My foremost concern was, I did not want her to come out gay, because she’s a real woman, so you have that suspension of disbelief and the acceptance that the character is really played by a man. I’m working hard on that thin line of not making Edna look bakla, but babae and motherly.

How real would your Edna be?
Physically, of course, I’ll be wearing dresses, heels, and a fat suit, which I’m getting used to. With the voice, so far, so good—with Edna it’s more of building the character than singing, not like the rest of the cast, who really have to sing.

What do you feel about wearing heels? Do you empathize with women now that you’ve experienced it?
Okay lang, no problem with me. But I have blisters already, so I have to wear them more—but not in real life, ha. Now I understand that it’s hard to carry big boobs, too.

Did you like the recent Hairspray film?
I enjoyed it so much. In fact, after watching John Travolta play Edna, I told director Bobby Garcia, “Hmm, we should do Hairspray.” When he got the rights last year, he texted me, “Michael, we’re doing Hairspray and I want you to play Edna.” I said, “Yay!”

Are you looking forward to singing “You’re Timeless to Me”?
Yes. It’s a showstopper, not in the sense that it’s all-out, but it’s such a sincere song that shows how much Wilbur and Edna love each other, why their family is like this, why Tracy is so loveable. When you watch it, nakakakilig siya, it’s very cute.

What can you say about newcomer Madel Ching (who plays Tracy)?
She’s very jolly, very cheerful, very likeable, very talented. The way she dances, the way she moves, it’s unbelievable.