Theater actress Joanna Ampil says that there's "something" about Rachelle Anne Go that caught the West End team's eye when they held auditions for the Miss Saigon revival.
"Meron something about her na nakita nila. So, alam ko na mag-e-excel siya and all the Pinoys na nasa cast—we all excel in this field," she was quoted by PEP.ph as saying.
She adds that she's excited about the production and that she's so proud of the Filipino performers who got in the production.
"I'm very excited about those na nakapasok sa Miss Saigon, tulad ni Rachelle (I'm very excited for those who got in Miss Saigon, like Rachelle.). I know how they’re gonna enjoy their lives there and they will love the discipline and all the learning process. I'm really excited for them... There would be a lot of surprises, nice surprises, and a lot of wonderful things in store... And our kababayans there are all very excited... It's talk of the town. It's not just the entire city talking about it, it's the entire world. So, can't you see the pride in you as a Pinoy? Remember, there are lots of singers from other countries who came here [Philippines] for the audition and, yet, marami ang nakuha sa atin. It's worldwide and really a big pride."
Joanna is no stranger to international productions herself. After all, she also starred as Kim in the 1993 Miss Saigon production, which was staged at Theatre Royal in London. She would later reprise the same role in 1995 at Capitol Theate in Sydney, Australia. In addition, she played Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables, and Christmas Eve in Avenue Q.
(Photo courtesy of PEP.ph)
