A Dream Come True

“I’m scared,” Rachelle Ann Go admitted to Conversations about the prospects of singing and dancing in a pair of bikinis in the revival of the Cameron Mackintosh megahit musical Miss Saigon, set for May next year at the Prince Albert Theater in London’s West End where it premiered (at the Theater Royale Drury Lane) in 1989. “It’s the first time I will be daring, at naka-bikini pa mandin!”

Late last year when she auditioned with hundreds during the auditions in Manila, Rachelle was aiming for the role of Kim, which Lea Salonga originated in the musical (with another Pinay, Isay Alvarez, as the original Gigi), but she was a bit too old for Kim.

“I don’t really mind,” added Rachelle. “What’s important is that nakapasa ako.”

As things heat up for Miss Saigon, Rachelle is starting to internalize the Gigi character (who renders Movie In My Mind, one of the musical’s iconic songs), bracing herself for the world stage.

Aside from Rachelle, another Pinay, Eva Noblezada, 17, from Charlotte, North Carolina, bagged the role of Kim, the same role played by Eva’s aunt, Annette Calud, during the musical’s Broadway run when Calud began as one of the bar girls and later took on Kim as Lea’s understudy. In a release, Mackintosh was quoted as saying, “Eva’s going to be our new Lea” (who won a grand slam for her performance).

Other Filipinas who have essayed the role of Kim included Monique Wilson, Jamie Rivera, Ima Castro, Anne Dionisio, Joanna Ampil, Janine Desiderio and Leila Florentino. Another Filipina who has played Gigi was Jinky Llamanzares. Jonjon Briones, who started in the musical as a member of the ensemble, is The Engineer which was played by other Filipinos including Cocoy Laurel and Junix Inocian (who is busy with other plays in the UK).

“Kaya nakaka-nerbiyos,” shuddered Rachelle, although she has no reason to be nervous. “Kasi ang dami nating kababayan na nagpakita ng galing sa show.”

Rachelle, who’s turning 28 in August next year, is leaving for London for the start of the rehearsals in March next year.

When did you know that you were in?

“Uhm, when I went to London two weeks ago…That’s when I got the feeling, you know. Pero hindi ko puedeng sabihin because I thought na hindi pa naman sigurado. It was final casting at that time. I just told people that I was going there for vacation.”

So what did you do in London?

“Hayun, more auditions. Pakanta-kanta ulit. That was when I knew that I was auditioning for Gigi. But I actually had an idea during the auditions in Manila in November last year when I auditioned for Kim. Last October, I got an e-mail from them, asking if I was interested in the role of Gigi, kasi nga at 27, ‘yung age ko is alanganin na for Kim. They said that for the revival they needed somebody younger.”

Were you disappointed?

“Of course, not! Why should I be? Hihindi pa ba ako, di ba?”

What else did you do in London?
“Well, they interviewed me, ganoon. Mababait sila, mabait si Mr. Mackintosh.”

If you’re turning 28 in August next year, you must have been around four years old when Miss Saigon opened in 1989. How old were you when you first saw Miss Saigon?

“I first saw it in Toronto siguro four years ago. Sayang nga that I didn’t see it when it was staged here at the CCP also with Miss Lea as Kim. Dati kasi, wala akong alam sa teatro. I started appreciating theater only when I acted in Little Mermaid  (with Erik Santos as leading man) and then in Tarzan (with Broadway actor Dan Domenech, presented early this year also by Atlantis Productions). Doon na lang ako namulat sa teatro. Before those two plays, wala talaga akong alam sa teatro.”

Kanino ka naka-identify doon sa mga characters?

“It was Anne Dionisio who played Kim. ‘Yung uncle ko talaga ang mahilig sa theater; isinama lang nila ako. Alam kong si Miss Lea nasa Miss Saigon pero hindi ko talaga alam ‘yung story. But when I saw it in Toronto, sobra akong naapektuhan. I cried and cried. I told myself, ‘Gagawin ko ito one of these days.’ At that time, hindi ko pa pinangarap mag-teatro. Siguro, it’s destiny na gagawin ko ‘yung Miss Saigon, maski na hindi ako Kim.”

What was your piece during the Manila auditions?

“I’d Give My Life For You, a Kim song, during the first audition. Then, I sang two other Kim songs during the final audition. The auditions lasted for one week kasi ang daming nag-audition. I thought that it was, you know, suntok sa buwan because many of those who auditioned were sanay sa theater. Ako, baguhan. So I didn’t expect anything. Wala akong alam, wala akong idea.”

Will you be staying by yourself in London for the duration of your contract?

“I think good for one year ‘yung contract. Yes, I will be staying by myself, kasi hindi na naman ako minor, eh. Sayang, ‘no! Otherwise, if I bring along a chaperon, I will be spending for it. ‘Yung stay ko, sagot nila.”

Paano ‘yung boyfriend mo, iiwanan mo dito?

“Ha? Wala akong boyfriend, hahahaha! So, wala; wala akong problema. London is my dream place, eh.”

In the meantime, ano ang ginagawa mo in preparation for the Miss Saigon opening?

“I have to study the music. I have to be ready for another character which is being offered to me as understudy, although hindi pa ‘yon sigurado. I just want to be ready, so I will be prepared when I get there kabisado ko na.”

So are you ready to go onstage in skimpy bikinis?

“Kaya nga ako nininerbiyos, eh! I think kailangan ko yata mag-workout, hahahaha!”

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