Atasha in her parents' footsteps

When Charlene Gonzales learned that her daughter Atasha Muhlach passed the audition for The Sound of Music and was cast as one of the seven Von Trapp children, she said that she and husband Aga Muhlach were pleasantly surprised.

“All we wanted was for her to do a walk-on part,” Charlene told Funfare, “but she ended up playing a big role.”

Atasha, who with twin brother Andres turned 10 last Nov. 5, plays Brigitta in the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical first staged on Broadway in 1959, with more than 1,443 performances so far, re-staged on Broadway and London and in theaters nationwide including the Philippines several years ago with Lea Salonga cast as Briggita. Before premiering in London in 1961, the musical won a Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Actress, and was made into a movie in 1965 starring Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as Captain Georg von Trapp.

The musical opened last month at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of the Resorts World Manila, directed by Roxanne Lapus, with weekend performances until Dec. 11.

“It was Girlie (Rodis) who told us that there would be auditions for the musical,” continued Charlene. “Initially, what Aga and I wanted was for Atasha to just have the experience, the feel and the discipline of theater. ‘Yung parang passerby lang siya or an extra. In the beginning, she was cast as Martha (the youngest child, now alternately played by Alida Moberg, Paula Theresa and Sofia Yabyabin), but she was happy ending up as Briggita.”

For a theater greenhorn, Atasha is a revelation. She blends beautifully with the cast, sure with her blocking and stage movement, delivering her lines (sometimes singing them) with admirable ease, the sum total of her parents’ best qualities, looks- and talent-wise.

“Atasha has started enjoying it. It has helped her a lot. She used to be very shy, mahiyain talaga siya but now not so much anymore. Kaya Aga and I are happy for her.”

In fact, Atasha and the kiddie cast seem to be just playing, not “working,” maybe internalizing their roles as if they’re just play-acting in school. Atasha is in Year 4 at a British school where Andres also studies.

She inherits the best qualities of her parents Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez (in family photo, with Atasha’s twin brother Andres).

I have seen The Sound of Music a hundred times (an exaggeration, but I really did many, many times, first on the big screen at the now non-existent Ever Theater on Rizal Avenue and on DVD) and I was happy with the new additions done by Roxanne and her creative team who recreated the story. One of them: Baroness Elsa Schraeder (played by Eleanor Parker in the movie; and alternately by Pinky Amador and Lynn Sherman in the current staging) sings two songs, something she doesn’t do in the movie. Alternating for the role of Maria are Joanna Ampil and Cris Villonco (whose baby face better qualifies her for the role as the oldest Von Trapp daughter).

A few years ago, I did a one-on-one with Julie Andrews during the Princess Diaries II junket in Hollywood and I was mesmerized by her regal bearing that’s very evident in the The Sound of Music movie version’s wedding scene with How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria as soundtrack. The staggering box-office gross of the movie worldwide vindicated Andrews who originated the role as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and lost it to Audrey Hepburn in the movie version. Eventually, Andrews won an Oscar Best Actress for Mary Poppins, another musical-turned-movie.

Charlene and Aga were not yet born when The Sound of Music movie was released. Charlene said that she saw it only this year, after Atasha passed the audition.

Did she and Aga make Atasha watch the musical’s DVD version to kind of “condition” her? Did they rehearse with Atasha, with Charlene playing Maria and Aga playing Captain von Trapp?

“Yes, we let Atasha watch the movie version,” said Charlene, “but we never saw her practise her lines and her singing at home, so Aga and I were surprised when we saw her performing. You remember what parents say about wanting to cry when they see their children perform? Kami ni Aga, iba. We were nervous. Parang we just wanted for the scenes to be finished and found her okay. Those behind the play were very nice. They really took good care of the kids and trained them very well.”

In school, Atasha is active in the performing arts, playing the piano during talent shows but seldom acting. Andres plays the guitar. The twins have both done recitals.

Charlene added that Aga would give Atasha pointers “in a nice way,” such as for Atasha just to enjoy herself and to take her time when delivering her lines.

What if Atasha gets hooked on acting and pursue an acting career?

“Hmmmm, if you ask me, I’d be a bit more open,” admitted Charlene. “But if you ask Aga, he’ll say that it’s enough for the meantime.”

Atasha (rightmost) in another scene from the musical: Just like play-acting in school. Inset: Atasha’s Lola Nena (Amalia Fuentes) during the press preview. — PHOTOS BY VER PAULINO

Oh well, with showbiz in her system from both parents (and her elders besides, including the Muhlach matriarch Amalia Fuentes), I guess there’s no other way for Atasha to go but there.

“We’ll just cross the bridge when we get there,” said Charlene.

(Note: The Sound of Music performances are at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays; and 3 p.m. on Sundays. For ticket inquiries, call Ticketworld at 891-999 or the Resorts World box office at 836-6000 local 7839.)

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