Meeting Lea Salonga and Menchu Yulo (again)

So after I watched Cats, I went to the stagedoor and wait for Lea. Before the show, I thought I saw Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo but I didn't think that she really was it. So anyway, I was waiting outside and the Australian actors went out first-- they're really awesomeness. They went straight to their bus to their hotel (I guess).

Then, when Lea and Menchu went out talking to each other, I excitedly called Miss Menchu. "Miss Menchu!", and she's in a "huh?" face, because I think she didn't recognized me since I cut my hair the last time I saw her. "I'm Ching!", "Oh, Ching! Ikaw bata ka, kung saan-saan ka sumusulpot." Then we gave each other a hug.

Then without any hesitations, and a little stutter, I asked Lea for an autograph. I didn't know where she could sign because everything in the programme is black, but she found a white page herself and signed on it. I told her she was very good, and she's too awesome! And she said, Thank You. She really is very, very admirable.

After that, she went to her van and I said goodbye to her, Miss Menchu even gave her tips like take alot of sleeps, and drink alot of water. Miss Menchu and I hugged each other again and she asked me when she'll gonna see me again-- I said, we should see each other in Little Women and of course, Kelly Lati, too. Then, I said bye to her cause I need to go, she told me to go straight home! :))

I love you, Miss Menchu! And of course, Miss Lea! You guys are too awesome!

Cats in Manila [Review]

All those lights, songs, and dance numbers. All tap-dancing, never-ending pirouettes, and jazz. It's amazing how wonderfully this musical has been done. Every step is done at once, never leaving a dancer behind. Every comic punches, has been punched, and every emotion went straightly into my heart, melting it away. Cats is certainly the most-loved musical of all time, and with its sharp selection of actors, it's an awful scenery that slaps our face of how bad we sing and dance.

Everyone who is on stage, must leave his humanity, and thus, be a wonderful dancing feline. In those awesome and colorful leotards, they become playful, wild, screechy and screams "Meooow!". 

It's like watching Broadway, but in Manila. It's like Andrew Lloyd Webber's one man show with the help of some cats. Every actor is professional, and it mirrors their performance. They hit high notes and low note without a hitch, and even surpasses to what they can do more. Their magnificence surrounds the whole theater, each of their steps can be seen clearly even at the farthest seats.

Never have I imagined I'd be seeing this kind of spectacular show. They have brought Broadway (or Australia, whatever.) right into my eyes. I believe the show wouldn't be as fabulous as it is now without either components-- actors, songs, choreography, lights, sounds.

And of course, our National Treasure, Miss Lea Salonga. She was fabulous despite her being on those trashy coats and leg warmers and her ugly make-up as Grizabella. She's made it seems so effortless to sing Memory and take note NOT IN ALTO, but in this very sweet voice. This just proves how versatile her voice is. Although she sang in a different style this time, her performance reminded me of her Mezzo performance of "I dreamed a dream" when she replace Daphne Rubin-Vega in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables. She didn't just portrayed Grizabella, but became that person (or cat) on stage with a very nice touch of Lea in it-- never to be compared with Elaine Paige or Betty Buckley.

The touring company of Cats truly deserved the standing ovation we gave them, Until now, I can't get over the fact that I got the chance to watch this truly awesome musical. You all better catch this, because when this is over-- IT'S REALLY OVER. They made me love Cats so much, and made me want to learn how to do pirouettes ala Mr. Mistoffelees. P.S., I love Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger so much. I love Cats, truly awesome, and truly spectacular.