Rachelle wows Saigon crowd

This early, even when the revived Cameron Mackintosh megahit musical Miss Saigon will formally open only today at the Prince Edward Theater in London’s West End, Rachelle Ann Go has already been reaping good reviews from the crowd that trooped to the theater during the preview nights (for which tickets were on sale).

I understand that there’s an embargo on critics’ comments until maybe days after the official opening, but early reactions to Rachelle’s performance as Gigi van Tranh are glowing, most of them positive and some even described it as “brilliant.” She gets to sing the iconic song The Movie in My Mind.

Joanna Ampil, who has played Kim and finished her stint as Grizabella in the Cats UK/Europe tour, tweeted Rachelle this comment, “You are so awesome and gorgeous as Gigi,” the bar-girl role originated by Isay Alvarez at Theater Royale Drury Lane more than two decades ago. 

As you can see in the picture on this page, Rachelle does look, to use Joanna’s adjective, “gorgeous” in bikinis, thus in a way vindicating her. You see, before she left for London last March, Rachelle said that what she was worried about was, that’s it, appearing on stage in bikinis.

The truth is that wearing bikinis is nothing new to Rachelle who would romp on the beach in a two-piece but never for publication.

Meanwhile, let’s stay tuned for what the critics will have to say after Miss Saigon opens today. But the initial good reviews should inspire Rachelle to do even better during the musical’s year-long run.

Right on, Rachelle!

Mother’s Day showbiz trivia

 The first-ever local film that used mother or nanay in the movie title was Nanay Ko (1929), produced by Albo & Sevilla and directed by Jose Nepomuceno, starring Mary Walter and Mila Nimfa.

 The most popular mother on the silver screen during the ‘50s and ‘60s was Rosa Mia, dubbed “Mater Dolorosa of Philippine Movies” and also “Mother of Tearjerkers.”

 Dolphy was the first actor to essay a father/mother role, as gay beautician Dioscoro Derecho or Coring in Ang Tatay Kong Nanay (1978) in which Niño Muhlach played his son.

 Monteverde family’s Regal Films is the only movie outfit that has produced Mother’s Day tribute films for eight consecutive years, namely: Oh, My Mama (1981); Mother Dear (1982); To Mama With Love (1983); Dear Mama (1984); Mama Said, Papa Said, I Love You (1985); I Love You Mama, I Love You Papa (1986); Remember Me Mama (1987); and Nasaan Ka Inay? (1988). 

 Mrs. Dolores Morato Honrado-Vera, Mrs. Azucena Vera-Perez, Mrs. Lily Monteverde, Mrs. Rose Flaminiano, Lolit Solis, Renee Salud and Ricky Reyes are fondly called in the industry as Mommy Vera, Mama Nene, Mother Lily, Mommy Rose, ‘Nay Lolit, Mama Renee and Mother Ricky, respectively.

 Movie queens Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta and Maricel Soriano used to play daughters in their several films during their prime and are now playing mother roles to younger stars in films and teleseryes.

— Celso de Guzman Caparas

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