Gab Pangilinan breaks down Mary Magdalene role in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
MANILA, Philippines — Filipina theater actress Gab Pangilinan highlighted the human approach in the new Manila run of "Jesus Christ Superstar," a retelling of a very familiar story.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic musical just marked its golden anniversary, but the version arriving in the Philippines is a retelling by Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in London.
During its media call earlier today ahead of its gala night tonight, May 5, just outside the Theatre at Solaire where it is running until the end of the month, Pangilinan shared how she came about portaying her character Mary Magdalane.
The actress cited her co-star Joshua Bess' remark that this iteration of the musical humanizes the Biblical characters. Bess plays the titular Jesus in the musical.
"People know Jesus, Mary, these roles, but they've never seen them so human," Pangilinan added.
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She acknowldedged Mary Magdalene was an iconic role with an iconic song, "I Don't Know How to Love Him," so she tried to take those aspects off her mind in approaching the character in order to fill her shoes.
Just like any role, Pangilinan continued, she zeroed in on the character's truth, what she stands for, and what she believes in — quipping that it's Jesus.
"I think what's so beautiful about this 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is how human every single person is," the actress reiterated, recalling that their associate director reminded her that she was portraying Mary Magdalene in such a truthful and natural way as intended.
Pangilinan also said she was excited for people to see her take on Mary Magdalane because it is her own and no one can do it like her.
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