Niccolo Manahan: Theater's new heartthrob proves he's made for stage

With his acting prowess, onstage charisma and good looks, no wonder Niccolo Manahan has been tagged as the new "Theater Heartthrob" especially with his latest theater performance as the magnetic Father Flynn, who is tormented by other people's suspicions, in "Doubt."

Did he or didn't he?

"Doubt" is the Pulitzer, Tony and Drama Desk award-winning play by John Patrick Shanley. Set in a Catholic school in the Bronx in the 1960s, the play tells the story of a young priest, Father Flynn, who becomes the center of controversy, when he begins to show too much interest in his male students, particularly in the school's lone black student.

Cherie Gil played Sister Aloysius, who has a reputation for tenacity, while seasoned thespians Cathy Azanza and Jay Glorioso completed the cast as Sister James and the black child's mother, Mrs. Muller, respectively. "Doubt" was directed by Chari Arespacochaga.

"Doubt" was the first drama Niccolo did in a long time. It also marked his first time to perform opposite the multi-awarded TV and film star Cherie Gil. He admitted to having been intimidated by her, owing to the countless kontrabida characters she portrayed both in TV and movies. He, however, eventually realized how friendly and accommodating Cherie is.

"I drew my inspiration from the script because the role of Father Flynn, in the midst of controversy stirred by no less than the school principal, Sister Aloysius, knew what he's actually talking about," shared Niccolo in a backstage interview with The FREEMAN Entertainment, referring to the intense confrontational scenes between Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn.

A Performer By Heart

Being the son of veteran theater actor Bonggoy Manahan and the nephew of ABS-CBN's resident starmaker Mr. Johnny Manahan has all the more pushed this promising performer to his acting limits. This is not just to prove something to his family but to make his own commendable mark in the world of performing arts as well.

"The reason why I joined theater is that my family's into it. But the hardest part of it all is finding a place in theater. I mean, finding a place where I'd really fit in," the 27-year-old actor said.

He may be young, but he has been honing his craft as a regular artist for the University of Asia and the Pacific, where he also earned a degree in Business Communications.

His acting portfolio includes playing Teiresias in "Antigone," Armand in "Once On This Island," Orgon in "Tartuffe" and the protagonist in "Hamlet." He started a professional career in theater at the age of 24.

Most Challenging Role

Armed with an experience of assorted portrayals, Niccolo dreams of playing a transsexual in the hit off-Broadway play "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."

"That would definitely be a very challenging role for me. The plot revolves around a transsexual, who's in search of something that would complete him as a person," Niccolo shared.

After "Doubt," his next performance would be in the musical revue of Joe DiPietro's "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." The play is produced again by Little Boy Productions (Cebu)-the group behind such more recent plays as "Once One This Island," "Welcome to IntelStar," and of course, "Doubt"-in cooperation with Repertory Philippines and is directed by Michael Williams.

Niccolo will be taking on different roles in the upcoming play.

"'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' will show different spectrums of life… Meeting someone, falling for her and for somebody else until you lose that special person. My co-actors and I are going to portray characters that mirror the different people and how they deal with love and the opposite sex," Niccolo said.

The play will be staged this coming July 28-30 at Cinema 2, SM City Cebu.

For inquiries, please contact Arts Council of Cebu at 233-0236 and 233-0452 or Little Boy Productions at 0917-815 5794. Tickets are available at East,West Café in Ayala, and at Citickets.