Take 3 for Karylle and Christian

They click as a musical love team.

After working together in the two musicals, West Side Story (Meralco Theater) and The Kitchen Musical (in Singapore), Karylle and Christian Bautista are back in Rama Hari, presented by Ballet Philippines and ABS-CBN at the CCP from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9.

I presume that you have seen Rama Hari. What was its impact on you?

Karylle: I was never able to watch it. We watch the videos with the rest of the cast to review the dances and blocking. What’s most impressive to me is that they were able to make a new genre for stage by marrying a concert and a ballet. In the ’80s with the oversized pads, it was time to push limits. The dances are modern, the music is groundbreaking and the lyrics are so romantically Filipino.

Christian: I was young when I watched Rama at Sita. I was impressed with the grand scale of the dance, the acting, the sets and the costumes. I was even more impressed when I learned that Rama at Sita was actually derived from the ballet musical Rama Hari. To think that this kind of music and art was done already by young geniuses like Ryan Cayabyab during the ’80s is amazing.

How did you prepare for the musical and make sure that your attack of your roles is different from that of actors in previous staging?

Karylle: I started by learning the recordings of the songs but eventually we had piano rehearsals and relied on our music sheets. It also helped a lot to hear Mr. C’s take and attack for the songs. It helped me find my own Sita. I can only hope to pay tribute to the Sitas who have gone before me by doing my best in this show.

Christian: I had to watch how Basil Valdez, the original  Rama, handled himself. I want to get his best interpretation and later add on my own. I had to envision myself being the god-king Rama during rehearsals immediately so I will get used to the character when I get onstage.

How is Rama Hari different in terms of challenge from West Side Story and The Kitchen Musical?

Karylle: In The Kitchen Musical, the songs were pop that we’re used to singing in ASAP or in concerts but in Rama Hari, the music is beautiful and more challenging. I have my lyrics stuck on my shower walls and bathroom mirror so that I can review the songs while showering and brushing my teeth. I also sing the songs during Showtime commercial breaks. The Kitchen Musical was challenging in the sense that we had to make the singing integral to the scene but the choreography and choreographer Jason Coleman helped us do that.

Christian: Rama Hari is different from the challenge of The Kiitchen Musical because it’s a stage play. The Kitchen Musical is a TV show. Rama Hari is done live. No cuts, no edits. The songs in Rama Hari are set in deep, rich Tagalog. It pierces the soul once you hear the words. Plus we singers in Rama Hari have to mimic the emotion and some of the action of the ballet dancers that represent Rama and Sita and the other characters.

I guess that by now, you are comfortable working together.

Karylle: We’ve been working together for so long that I get really excited when I have a new project with Ian. It’s different when there’s trust and friendship built through the years. Plus, of course, I’ve allowed myself to get kilig when I’m with him onstage.

Christian: Yes, it’s easier for me to relate to her. It’s better because we are real friends.

What other musicals do you want to do?

Karylle: Camelot. I was with my voice teacher the other day and I really would like to one day play Queen Guinevere. I would also like to play Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

Christian: Moulin Rouge. I also want to do an original musical using the songs of either Rivermaya, Parokya ni Edgar or Eraserheads.

 (Note: Rama Hari also features Ballet Philippines’ dancers, Robert Seña, OJ Mariano, Kalila Aguilos, the Manila Symphony Orchestra and the UP Concert Chorus. For tickets, call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003/551-7919, CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.)

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