Directing Dawn

MANILA, Philippines - I have known Dawn Zulueta for almost 25 years. That is more than half my life. We met as high school students during the ‘80s. Dawn was just about to embark on what would become a prolific (and multi-awarded) career in film and television and I was about to embark on my own journey of moving to New York and immersing myself in the theatrical arts.

Without the convenience of e-mail back then, we lost touch as our lives took us on different adventures in different places. But, with every trip home, I smiled at the success of my friend and how she was becoming one of the country’s most acclaimed actors. I tried to catch her films when I could and felt pride as I watched her conquer the cinematic arts.

Sometime last year, I began to think about what Stephen Sondheim musical we could do to mark his 80th birthday. He is, after all, the greatest living musical theater composer. And, in my opinion, any theater company that produces musicals has been influenced by his work, whether consciously or unconsciously. Marking his 80th year with a musical was important to me as a director and producer. It was around that time that Catherine Zeta-Jones was announced as the lead in the Broadway revival (it would later win her a Tony Award) of A Little Night Music, one of Sondheim’s earlier masterpieces. I wondered if I could find her equivalent in the local film industry. An actress with enormous grace and charm who could sing. And then I remembered a lunch meeting I had with Dawn a few weeks before that.

Our mutual manager and friend, Boy Abunda, scheduled a lunch meeting for us to discuss a potential indie film (which is still in the works). We met for lunch and in about half an hour caught up on the 25 missing years in each other’s lives. It was like no time had passed at all. In the course of the meeting she had told me that she would love to return to the legitimate stage someday, having enjoyed performing in Larawan over 10 years ago.

I called Boy and asked him if he thought she would be open to playing Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music. He thought it was a great idea and suggested I send her the script and music. Within a few days of doing so, Dawn excitedly agreed to take on the lead role in the waltz-kissed romantic musical. We now knew how to celebrate Sondheim’s birthday.

Dawn is the consummate professional. She gave up many lucrative film, television and commercial offers to focus on A Little Night Music, knowing that the demands of a Sondheim musical (or any musical, for that matter) would require her complete attention. There was never even a discussion to compromise rehearsal schedules to allow her to fulfill other showbiz obligations. From the moment Dawn committed to A Little Night Music, she was there for it 100 percent. They say that the true test of a person’s character lies in their sense of commitment. I believe that. And I have great respect for Dawn, both as an actress and as a friend.

Dawn is every director’s dream. A skilled actress who is a master of her game. She has arrived early for every rehearsal, fully prepared to work through the scenes for the day (and providing the cast and crew with delicious fruits to snack on all day!). She also has great respect for the writer’s words. She wants to get every word perfect as she understands how carefully crafted the language is. Nothing is by accident, especially not the writing of words. Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler have written some of the finest lyrics and lines in musical theater in A Little Night Music. And Dawn wants to get it perfect. I have worked with actors in the past who felt that their paraphrasing of the writer’s original lines was much better than what was originally written when in fact it wasn’t. With Dawn, I didn’t have to worry about that.

Utilizing every moment she can in the rehearsal process, Dawn has created a nuanced, multi-layered, and very real and accessible character. Her Desiree is unlike any in the past. Dawn’s interpretation of Desiree is clearly that of an actress who has seen it all and attempts to undo missed opportunities in her life as she faces the reality that this may be her last chance to get it right. It has been exciting for me to watch her build her character from the ground each day and see her create the many layers of depth that has brought Desiree to colorful life.

Having just finished rehearsing her scene where she sings Send in the Clowns, I can say that Dawn (along with her co-star, the excellent Noni Buencamino) gives a master class in her rendition of the song. She is an actress fully present in the scene going through the emotions as they reach the surface. Her interpretation of Send in the Clowns is, in my opinion, a masterpiece, in itself, and one that is uniquely her own. No copycat rendition here. Many young actors can and should learn from her. I can’t wait for audiences to see it.

Perhaps the greatest thrill a director can get in rehearsals is to work with actors who have mastered their craft and who treat it with genuine respect and reverence. And Dawn does just that. Acting is in her blood. It was also, for many years, her livelihood. It is not surprising to me why her name is synonymous with excellence. It has been an immense pleasure and honor to have directed her in A Little Night Music. I hope to have the chance to work with her again in the future either on stage or perhaps even on film. In Sondheim’s words, “Well, maybe next year…”

A Little Night Music is presented with the support of Robinsons and The Philippine STAR. It runs from Oct. 15 to 31 at the Carlos P. Romulo, Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187.