Arnel returns to his roots

You better believe it. Arnel Ignacio is a true blue product of theater – the much-feared but respected Zeneida Amador’s Repertory Philippines, to be exact.

It was La Amador herself who offered Arnel his first play, La Cage aux Folles one fine day when she saw the then unknown crouched in one corner of the stage singing for all he’s worth. Little did Arnel, who was then accompanying a friend, know that that day would change his life forever. He remembers that crucial moment clearly: "She (Amador) came up to me. I didn’t know who she was then. She asked me if I wanted to join the play. I told her ever so casually, ‘Yes, since I had nothing better to do.’"

Just that. Amador immediately cast the then untrained Arnel in the French play and, like the rest of the actors, went through the Repertory baptism of fire.

"I experienced how it was to have Monobloc (a type of plastic furniture) thrown at me by Douglas Nierras in a fit of temper. It was my fault. Everybody was dancing this way, and I was going the other way," recalls Arnel.

He later worked with the award-winning choreographer, whose fiery temper is matched only by his equally fierce commitment to excellence.

"He’d scold at me when I came to the stage unprepared," Arnel recalls. His close encounters with the uncompromising Douglas blossomed into a deep-seated friendship that persists until now.

Along with it came Arnel’s lack of regard for the star system and utter commitment to excellence – values he learned in theater.

Little did Arnel know that a stellar career as a comedian and widely-popular game show (K!) after, his paths will cross with Douglas’ again.Reason: Bahaghari Productions’ Illusione... Encore!, repeat of the widely-successful production held last February. The show, which opens Aug. 16 at Star Theater (CCP Complex), has been expanded into a full-length musical revolving around who else – Arnel.

Here, he plays an ageing gay taking care of his mother. The confused guy is reluctant at first to accept his (homo) sexuality. And Arnel seems to be the only straight guy in a scene full of gays. But he can’t hide the truth forever, and Arnel later lets his true self out in scenes gays – and those familiar with them, will empathize with.

"I’m the only non-impersonator here," Arnel says, referring to a cast packed with wannabes of Hollywood stars. There’s a Tina Turner, Oprah Winfrey and Janet Jackson impersonator. Top hairstylist James Cooper trades his scissors for a stunning designer gown as Diana Ross, a person he has impersonated many times, starting in New York.

It’s déjà vu for Arnel, who’s working again with Douglas, director of the series of shows. The two’s passion for excellence is so intense Arnel has no qualms calling Douglas long distance by cellphone from Singapore and telling his mentor how he cried after seeing Cirque du Soleil.

"And it was not even a drama! The Australian seated beside me found it so weird he walked out," reveals Arnel.

Nothing moves him to tears more than an impassioned performance. When Arnel saw James Cooper rehearse his Diana Ross number, the hairstylist was so surprised to see someone crying in the audience. It was Arnel.

"I can’t help it… James was so good!" Arnel exclaims. He oozes with the same passion as host of the weekly GMA-7 game show, K!

"The show is my responsibility. If I have to climb the wall, I will!" vows Arnel.

Result: K! has more than its share of advertisements. And Arnel couldn’t be any happier.

Meantime, Illusione... Encore! is like coming home for Arnel, something he wouldn’t mind squeezing in-between his schedule.

"I could use it for balance," he says. "I’ve done many things for the money, it’s about time I do something for the sake of art." Arnel didn’t even bother asking about his talent fee, which he still did not know at the time of this interview.

Neither did he mind being just ‘one of those’ in a production anchored in the theater dictum that all actors are equal, whether they’re stars off-stage or not.

In a world that puts emphasis on big stars, talent fee, ratings, box-office receipts and all things practical, that’s something to crow about, indeed.