Sunday, August 3, 2008

Day 4: A Most Marvelous Surprise (Tues, 7/29)

Following my sight-seeing on Monday, I decided to go shopping at Glorietta, a ginormous mall in Makati. While I was there, I just happened to see a banner announcing that Lea Salonga would be performing in the Rodgers and Hammerstein version of Cinderella at the Philippine Cultural Center in Manila. I was ecstatic, and immediately set out to do whatever it took to get a ticket for that show. I am a huge fan of Lea Salonga.

For those who think you aren't familiar with the lovely and talented Lea Salonga, believe me, you've more than likely heard her sing. She provided the singing voices for both Princess Jasmine and Mulan in the Disney films. She is also a Tony Award-winning performer, having attained that honor through her role in Miss Saigon on Broadway. She has a stunningly beautiful singing voice.

Luck was with me, and I was able to procure a fantastic ticket: orchestra right, on opening night (Tuesday). I was so excited that I had trouble sleeping on Monday night! I love musicals, and it has long been a dream to get to see one of my favorite performers on stage. Let's see...that makes three dreams that became reality in as many days in Manila!

The show was fantastic. Miss Salonga is absolutely adorable. She's so tiny you could just about carry her in your pocket! And she gave a fantastic performance that kept the entire audience enchanted. When the cast took their bows, everyone got cheers as well as applause. But when the carriage door opened and Lea Salonga stepped out to take her bow, the entire audience leaped to their feet for a thundering standing ovation. Everyone loved her!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Join the Cinderella review contest. Lea Salonga will pick the winner herself.

visit PDI editor Gibbs Cadiz' blog for details.

http://gibbscadiz.multiply.com/journal/item/942

"Passage—immediate passage! the blood burns in my veins! Away, O soul! hoist instantly the anchor!
Cut the hawsers—haul out—shake out every sail!
Have we not stood here like trees in the ground long enough?
Have we not grovell’d here long enough, eating and drinking like mere brutes?
Have we not darken’d and dazed ourselves with books long enough?

Sail forth! steer for the deep waters only!
Reckless, O soul, exploring, I with thee, and thou with me;
For we are bound where mariner has not yet dared to go, And we will risk the ship, ourselves and all.

O my brave soul!
O farther, farther sail!
O daring joy, but safe! Are they not all the seas of God?
O farther, farther, farther sail!"

~Walt Whitman, "Passage to India"