By Bryle B. Suralta
‘Lovett’ or hate it? Lea Salonga most certainly makes sure you’ll feel both about her character: “There are a lot of roles written in theater that are not nice people. These two, here (in this musical), our faces so prominent, we’re not nice folks. I find it extremely liberating and interesting and fun playing a villain,” she says.
In celebration of Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group’s 20th anniversary season, the theater company is staging “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” from Oct. 11 to Oct. 27. Tony and Olivier award winner Lea Salonga plays the iconic Mrs. Lovett, while rock icon and theater veteran Jett Pangan is cast as the titular character Sweeney Todd. Together, they make a powerful duo to headline this dark, nuanced musical play.
Atlantis’ anniversary also coincides with the 40th Anniversary of the musical, having first opened on Broadway in 1979. Since then, the show has garnered eight Tony Awards, (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere, as well as the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Its Broadway revival also went on to win two more Tony Awards.
Lea and Jett will be joined by Ima Castro as the Beggar Woman, Andrew Fernando as Judge Turpin, Gerald Santos as Anthony Hope and Nyoy Volante as Adolfo Pirelli. Also cast with them are Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, who is fresh off her critically acclaimed performance as Cynthia Weil in “Beautiful,” as Johanna, Luigi Quesada as Tobias, Arman Ferrer as Beadle, and Dean Rosen as Jonas Fogg. Completing the ensemble are Steven Conde, Sarah Facuri, Christine Flores, Jep Go, Kevin Guiman and Emeline Celis Guinid.
The musical is directed by Bobby Garcia, and will have a set design curated by Tony Award-winning set designer David Gallo. Another Salonga is in the cast, too, as Gerard Salonga, Lea’s brother, along with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, will provide the musical direction.
“We have gathered quite the cast for this re-telling of Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical thriller,” says director Bobby Garcia. “I think we will be bringing to the stage a unique version of Sweeney Todd, as told by some of the best musical theater storytellers in the country, led by Lea Salonga and Jett Pangan. I am also so excited to be collaborating with a creative team full of geniuses in their craft. I can’t wait to begin.”
Rounding out the team are Rajo Laurel for the costume design, Cecil Martinez for the choreography, Aaron Porter for the lighting design, Lesie Espinosa for the hair and make-up, Manman Angsico for the vocal direction and Justin Stasiw for the sound design.
Lea, who is best-known for lending her voice to Disney princesses Mulan and Jasmine of Aladdin, says that her edgy role, while not the first of her kind that she has taken on, allows her to bring something unexpected to the stage. “There are a lot of roles written in theater that are not nice people. These two, here (in this musical), our faces so prominent, we’re not nice folks. I find it extremely liberating and interesting and fun playing a villain,” she says.
The actress continues: “Some of the stuff I think of are demented, dirty, nasty, but I guess I really have these aspects in me, as with any human being. And the thing about being an actor is you should be open to playing the good and the bad. You can’t always play the nice guy.”
Jett, who is of Nine and Dirty Old Musical fame, also shares that he finds his new role rather challenging. ”I got my work cut out for me here. The musical is difficult. The role of Sweeney Todd, in itself, even without the music, is a challenge,” shares Jett, who has worked with Atlantis since 2002. “It’s a layered character. It’s not just one guy on stage trying to murder people. There’s a story to how he became like that.”
And what separates this musical from the rest that Jett has done? “The intensity of the situation that my character was thrown into,” he says.
Jett adds: “It just doesn’t revolve around him either. You have Mrs. Lovette. This opportunistic woman who is going to do anything and everything and use anything and anyone to get a leg up on life. And she discovers Sweeney Todd.”
Manila is about to discover Sweeney Todd, as well.
Sweeney Todd runs from October 11 to 27 at the Theatre at Solaire. Tickets are now available at www.ticketworld.com.ph or through 891-9999. The musical is a production of AtlantisTwenty and ABS-CBN in cooperation with Solaire Resort and Casino.
