Imelda musical soon in NY
Let’s face it: Even now that she (has just turned) 80, former First Lady Imelda Marcos is a box-office draw, a hot media item and a hit anywhere she goes, whatever she does. She’s a newsmaker for all seasons, for all reasons, a Steel Butterfly whose wings continue to flutter-flutter.
Even New York just can’t seem to have enough of The Madame. Listen to this report from Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (of The Filipino Reporter):
An off-Broadway production about the “ambitious” and “controversial” former Philippine First Lady will be staged this fall at The Julia Miles Theater on 55th Street in Manhattan on a limited engagement, from Sept. 22 to Oct. 18.
Pan Asian Repertory Theatre will present Imelda A New Musical that has a book by Sachi Oyama, music by Nathan Wang and lyrics by Aaron Coleman. East West Players producing artistic director Tim Dang, who staged the 2005 Los Angeles world premiere of the musical, will direct, with choreography by Reggie Lee.
Broadway actress Jaygee Macapugay will play the title role, with Liz Casasola as Corazon Aquino, Mel Sagrado Maghuyop as Ferdinand Marcos, and Brian Jose as Ninoy Aquino.
The cast also includes Alan Ariano, Angelica-Lee Aspiras, Billy Bustamante, Leanne Cabrera, Sacha Iskra, Loresa Lanceta, Jonelle Margallo, and Romney Piamonte.
The creative team is headed by Kaori Akazawa (set), Victor En Yu Tan (lighting), Ivy Chou (costumes), and Leslie Espinosa (hair and make-up).
Tisa Chang, artistic producing director of Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, said Imelda, which will be New York theater’s first Filipino-themed musical, spans the 1940s to 1980s, the pivotal years after the Philippines gained its independence. “Imelda Marcos wanted to set her country as an equal player on the world stage and gain the respect of the world,” Chang said.
Noted Fil-Am community leader Vivian Velasco said Imelda will give Filipino tourists another reason to see the Big Apple.
(Tickets are priced at $55, $35 for seniors and $20 for students. For particulars, visit www.panasianrep.org.)
Princess Snell
Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr.