Julia Abueva enthralls audiences in Resorts World Manila’s Cinderella

MANILA, Philippines - The year’s most enchanting theater production, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, continues to captivate audiences of young and old as it features three of the most princess-like thespians of today.

As one of the lead actresses portraying Cinderella, Singapore-based actress Julia Abueva grows on audiences with her innate charm and talent. At 18 and with over a hundred stage and TV appearances to her credit already in both the Philippines and Singapore, Julia is a born performer having wanted to sing since she was five.

Landing her dream role as Cinderella brings back Julia to her home country, The Philippines, and with a wide repertoire that includes Broadway and Disney songs she fills Cinderella’s glass slippers quite perfectly.

“I have always wanted to play Cinderella ever since I started acting,” Julia shared. “It’s funny because I almost wasn’t able to do Cinderella because I have another show in Singapore.” But despite having two shows simultaneously and the hectic schedules, Julia claims that playing Cinderella was a welcome assignment for her. “My preparation was probably watching it every day as a little girl. She was my favorite Disney princess and I would watch her literally every day,” she revealed.

Julia also studied the Cinderella Broadway production in New York, and was inspired by Laura Osmond’s portrayal. Something she effectively emulates in her Philippine performances.

When asked how she feels about coming back home to perform, she said, “It’s fun to be back here in Manila, with these people that I’ve worked with before, they’re like my family here. Being Pinoy, obviously everyone here is really talented. It just feels really good.”

Catch Julia donning Cinderella’s ball dress at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of the country’s one-stop, nonstop tourism destination, Resorts World Manila.

Cinderella also features Karylle Tatlonghari and Justine Peña who both play the lead role with Julia, Christian Bautista and Fred Lo who alternate as Prince Christopher, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Pinky Marquez, Sweet Plantado, Maronne Cruz, Giannina Ocampo, Red Concepcion, Sheila Francisco and Miguel Faustmann. Michael Staurt Williams directs the integrated lifestyle hub’s fourth theater offering which runs until Dec. 29.

(Tickets are available at all TicketNet and TicketWorld outlets and at the Resorts World Manila Box Office. Visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at 908-8833 for more details.)