Rachelle Ann: It's OK to be loveless sometimes

She is one of the sexiest young singers around. Young men fall at her feet yet she knows better than to lead them on. Rachelle Ann Go frankly tells those who eventually make known their intentions to her that she’s not ready to enter into a new relationship after having ended one just a few months ago.

“I don’t keep them guessing where they stand to avoid complications. I tell them love life is not in my priorities right now and that I am happy with the way things are,” she said.

Rachelle Ann believes it’s okay to be loveless sometimes and that you can always draw inspiration from family and friends, as well as from work. She thinks one has to be clear about who he is at every point in his life and about his ever-changing needs.

“People change that’s why it is good to be conscious of your growth as a person. More importantly, you should accept who you’ve become with the knowledge that you’re still a work in progress.”

This outlook has helped in her effective portrayal of Ariel in the upcoming Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Rachelle Ann said that more than the love story element, it is Ariel’s search to find her place under the sun that is the more compelling message of the story. She said that Ariel’s transformation when she finally got her dream was pivotal in the characterization.

To those unfamiliar with the story of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, it is about the young mermaid Ariel who has always dreamed of life on land. She realizes the dream and further, falls in love with a prince who shows her who she really is inside, with or without fins.

A pop singer before plunging into The Little Mermaid, Rachelle’s fans will definitely see her versatility especially when she performs the showstoppers Part Of Your World and Beyond My Wildest Dreams. She sang some verses of the songs at a recent press conference and it was quite impressive how she can shift from singing sweetly to powerfully almost effortlessly.

Asked if she’s willing to give up her voice for the man she loves, Rachelle said, “I don’t think I’m in the position to give away something God-given.” How sensible!

Disney’s The Little Mermaid is presented by Atlantis Productions and Metrobank. It runs at the Meralco Theatre until Dec. 11, 2011. Other well-loved songs from the musical are Kiss The Girl and Under The Sea.

Others in the cast of are Erik Santos as Prince Eric; Jinky Llamanzares, Ursula; OJ Mariano, Sebastian; Calvin Millado, King Triton; Lee Viloria, Flounder; Ikey Canoy, Scuttle; Felix Rivera, Flotsam; Jamie Barcelon, Jetsam; and Raymond Concepcion, Grimsby. It is directed by Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga.

The Manila production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid features a full orchestra using the original Broadway arrangements. 

Song of Joseph at the CCP

The  Music Theater Foundation Philippines will present the musical Song of Joseph on Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

The production is in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines in honor of Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, who penned the libretto and lyrics of the Song of Joseph.

The music of the libretto was a team work of husband and wife Jeannelle and Raymond Roldan as their debut in music composition.  It  depicts the enduring love of Joseph for Mary , its joys and sorrows and the reward of a glorious death having lived faithfully his divine call to be Mary and Jesus’ protector.

It is the first original Filipino full length musical on Saint Joseph, produced by Fr. Rony Alkonga, OSJ (Oblates of St. Joseph) in collaboration with Music Theater Foundation Philippines for the 100th year of the Oblates of Joseph in the Philippines.  The music arrangements were created in collaboration with Jun Latonio, Paulo Zarate, Gino Cruz, Jungee Marcelo and Alvin Nuñez.

Jon Joven and Al Gatmaitan play Joseph with Tricia Amper Jimenez and Fame Flores in the role of Mary, Miguel Aguila as Jesus, and Raymond and Joel Alinsunurin as Herod. Others in the cast are Amy Bonnevie Moral, Christine Carlos, Greg de Leon, Jonaf del Fiero, Maricris Joaquin, Emlyn Santos-Olfindo, Charlene Magalit, Elizabeth Engle, Janine Santos and Ed Decenteceo.