Musical theater's new 'It' girl

Many might still know Yanah Laurel as Franco Laurel’s baby sister, but she is quickly making a name for herself on the Philippine musical theater stage. She has been performing since the age of nine in musicals such as Bye, Bye Birdie, No, No Nanette, My Fair Lady, Grease and Godspell for Brent International School Manila and in professional musicals such as Hairspray, Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde (where she stood out as Elle Woods’ sidekick, Margot), Rizal X and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, among others.

Performing is in Yanah’s blood and she gets to shine on stage again in Atlantis Productions’ star-studded production of the Tony Award-winning musical Nine, directed by Bobby Garcia, which runs from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Yanah will be playing the role of Stephanie, which Kate Hudson played in the film version, although the role in the stage musical is substantially different. She joins a once-in-a-lifetime cast that includes Jett Pangan, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Cherie Gil, Eula Valdez, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Sitti and Ima Castro.

Director Bobby says, “Yanah has something more than talent. Aside from being a wonderful singer and actress, she has an incredible amount of stage presence. That’s something you can’t direct an actor to have. She can stand on stage, not say a word, and yet the audience is drawn to her. Add to that, Yanah is also one of the kindest, most sincere and hard-working young performers around. You have someone who will clearly be a force to reckon with in the future. I am thrilled she is a part of Nine.”

Yanah will soon immerse herself in daily rehearsals for Nine, but we were able to catch up with her on what it’s like to be musical theater’s newest “It” girl.

What got you started in musical theater?

“I have always loved musical theater ever since I was little! I had a very musical childhood and grew up in a musical household. I was exposed to seeing my family perform. I would sing songs of Lea Salonga on my Kuya Franco’s karaoke machine and would fantasize I was a Disney princess living in my own musical! The first musical I ever saw was Rama at Sita followed by Miss Saigon in CCP, I was immediately fascinated and fell in love with everything about musical theater. I felt at home with theater and I just kept going from there.”

What advice has your brother Franco given you?

“My Kuya Franco has always told me to keep myself grounded, love my craft, keep learning and growing as an artist and to always remain grateful and humble.”

Have you considered joining showbiz?

“I have never actively considered joining showbiz, simply because I have been focused on my studies and honing my craft in musical theater. I am, however, open to the idea and we will just have to see if ever showbiz is in store for the future and we shall cross the bridge when I get there.”

How does it feel to be called Philippine musical theater’s new “It” girl?

“Unbelievably amazing and incredibly humbling. It is very surreal. Philippine Musical Theater is filled with spectacular talents and it is a privilege for me to be a part that. To be able to do what I love and am most passionate about is a blessing that I value and will forever be grateful for. To be recognized as such for the craft I respect, love and pour my heart and soul into is truly wonderful.”

How does it feel to be part of the cast of Nine?

“Amazing! To be part of the Nine cast is such an honor! I am soaking it all in and will be like a sponge learning from each and every one of these iconic performers! I am definitely a lucky and grateful girl.”

What is Nine all about? What is the music like?

 “Nine is based on the film 8 by Federico Fellini. The musical revolves around Italian film director Guido Contini who has turned 40 and is experiencing his mid-life crisis alongside a crisis in his career and his marriage to former film star Luisa del Forno.

“The music of Nine is compelling and engaging as each musical piece and number is a story told within itself of the interchanging world of Contini’s memory of the past and that of his reality. It is indeed a musical journey.”

Who do you play in Nine? Tell us about her.

“I play Stephanie Necrophorus. Stephanie is a film critic-turned-associate producer to Liliane Le Fleur (played by Cherie Gil). She is a smart, witty and sharp young woman who is not an admirer of Contini’s work and she tells it like it is.”

Do you think local audiences will enjoy Nine?

“I believe they will love it! I would truly like to think that! From the spectacular cast, to the beautiful music that has stood the test of time, brilliantly written story alongside the wonderful direction of direk Bobby Garcia and the insanely talented production team. It will be a theatrical feast! A definite must-see!”

You have worked with Jett Pangan before in Spring Awakening and Legally Blonde. What is it like working with him?

“Working with Jett Pangan is wonderful. He has always been very kind and generous and truly someone I look up to and enjoy working with. He is a joy to be around, one who knows how to have a good time while working very hard as well. Jett is such an iconic figure that it makes working with him such an honor.”

What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far working in theater?

“Theater has taught me to be incredibly resilient which has carried over unto all aspects of my life.” 

How important is discipline in your work?

“Extremely important. Theater is a collaborative process and in itself, is a discipline, which requires hard work and dedication. Theater is a meticulous and continuous learning process. One needs to be holistically committed, diligent and extremely resilient in honing their craft, physically, emotionally and mentally and discipline is the unifying factor. Discipline is necessary from every member of a production for the collaborative process to be effective and to ultimately produce a spectacular production. Bottom line: Discipline is essential.”

What are your dream roles?

“There are numerous dream roles I would love to play: Kim in Miss Saigon, Elphaba in Wicked, Diana Goodman in Next to Normal, Cathy in The Last Five Years, to name a few. I would like to say though that all the roles I have played have honestly been such a dream. I love what I do and I am grateful for the privilege of being able to do what I love. Each role has allowed me to grow and to learn about my craft. Each role has had a different challenge that pushed me to hone myself as a performer and ultimately part of my dream come true.”