Outlooks Magazine Canadian National
Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga has been captivating audiences around the world. Now she will embark upon her 2009 “Inspired” North American tour for a limited number of dates. Hot off the heels of headlining the critically acclaimed Southeast Asian road show of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic, Cinderella, Lea Salonga leaves her “glass slippers” behind to mesmerize audiences here in Canada.
Having created the role of the orphaned “Kim” in Miss Saigon and brought to life the singing of Disney’s Mulan (“Reflection”) and Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin - it’s truly “A Whole New World,” for Salonga and her angelic voice. Salonga has become the national treasure of her Philippine homeland as she captivates audiences the world over - playing to SOLD OUT houses at Carnegie Hall, Hong Kong’s Cultural Centre and the historical Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
She began an illustrious career in Broadway musicals when she was cast to play Kim in Miss Saigon after a world-wide talent search. (Additional Credits Include Les Miserables, My Fair Lady, Grease, The Sound of Music, Annie and Cinderella among many others.) In the field of musical theater, she is recognized for having won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Theatre World Awards, and the first to win various international awards for a single role. She was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway.
Lea took some time out of her busy schedule to chat with us. Check it out here:
Who was your inspiration to start singing? I really don't know! It probably just came out of watching other singers on TV (I remember being fascinated by a singer's vibrato when I was about 4 or 5) and listening to Disney Storybook cassettes when I was little, and hearing the female characters sing. I also had a cousin that stayed with my mom and me a lot when she was growing up. She played the guitar and loved to sing, so she taught me pop music when I was about 3 or 4.
Is there one celebrity that you are still star struck by? Seeing Julie Andrews will always do that to me. And I'd probably pass out if I ever got to meet Barbra Streisand.
What is playing in your ipod/ mp3 player? A lot of pop and rock music, and two versions of The Threepenny Opera (there was a production of it here in Manila, and I loved it).
You live in Manila but travel a lot! What is different about playing in Canada/ US compared to the rest of the world? I don't know! I've been very lucky that the audiences wherever I perform have been incredibly warm and receptive. However, there is an added punch when I perform at home, or for a predominantly Filipino crowd.
Are you doing any writing on the upcoming record? Nope... I don't write music. I love seeing what I can do with a set of lyrics, but I don't think my brain was meant for lyric writing. I've tried, but it just doesn't connect that way.
What do you look for in song choices? Something that's vocally challenging (without being ridiculous... I have but a 2 1/2 octave range, extendable to 3 with falsettos)... and something lyrically interesting and emotionally connected.
Who would you love to collaborate with that you haven’t already? Why? I don't know really!!! I'd say Michael Jackson, but he's already passed away. That would have been sweet.
You have a very large gay fan base. Why do you think that is? Musical theatre, no doubt about that!!!
Will we be hearing a pop/dance remix from you on the dancefloor anytime soon? Ha ha, I don't think so! However, I do love to dance.
What is the key to balancing motherhood, marriage and a career in music? Just knowing what your priorities are and sticking to them. It's also helpful that my husband is incredibly supportive and understanding of the work I do, and how difficult and strange it can sometimes be.
Is there a job other then entertaining that ever interested you or wanted to try but couldn't? No, not really... I'm completely content and happy doing what I currently do.
Whats next for Lea Salonga? Hopefully, a full night's sleep!!! Being a mommy kind of keeps that from happening.
LEA SALONGA TOUR DATES
Date | Location | Venue |
Sep 12 | Bangkok, Thailand | Bangkok Symphony |
Sep 18 | Vancouver, BC | River Rock Casino |
Sep 20 | Snoqualmie, WA | Snoqualmie Casino |
| Sep 25 | Elizabeth, IN | Harrah's Casino |
| Sep 26 | Hammond, IN | Horseshoe Casino |
Sep 28-29 | Winnipeg, MB | McPhillips Street Station |
Oct 2 | Temecula, CA | Pechanga |
Oct 9 | Tarrytown, NY | The Music Hall Theater |
Oct 10 | Buffalo, NY | Center for the Arts - Univ. of Buffalo |
Oct 16-17 | Brooks, CA | Cache Creek Casino |
Oct 18 | Cerritos, CA | CCPA |
Oct 20 | Medford, OR | Craterian Center |
Nov 1 | Cabazon, CA | Morongo Resort Casino & Spa |
Nov 10 | Honolulu, HI | Blaisdell Concert Hall |
Nov 14 | Maui, HI | MACC Castle Theatre |
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