Lea Salonga: Eugene Domingo can make every line stick
SAN JUAN, La Union — The Philippines is aware of how much a comedic genius Eugene Domingo is, but Lea Salonga believes there is more to her acting prowess than she lets on.
Lea and Eugene are both starring in Theatre Group Asia’s run of “Into the Woods” this August. Lea is portraying the Witch, while Eugene is playing Jack’s Mother, the mom of the character who climbs a beanstalk.
The production is a significant milestone for both actresses as it is Lea’s first musical in the Philippines since 2019, which was “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” also a Stephen Sondheim creation. Eugene, meanwhile, is returning to stage after seven years for her first full-on musical.
During the press conference for “Into the Woods” last July 31 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, where the musical will run, each cast member was asked to share one thing they had learned from the person on their left.
Eugene, who was seated beside Lea, jokingly asked the Tony winner to make sure to give a good answer as it would be her last production.
“Gagandahan ko talaga! 'Wag naman sana [ito huli mo]. Susme!” Lea laughed, then teased how amazing Eugene is as Jack’s Mother.
Lea acknowledged how funny and good an actor Eugene is, whom she rarely has scenes with the show itself, but pointed out Eugene’s talents come out during line readings.
“Every time she’ll do a line read, it’s never the same each time she does it,” Lea said, before Eugene humorously said that others noticed it.
“But here’s the thing,” Lea continued. “Each line read she chooses on that day will be correct.”
Lea used an example the way Eugene says the line “That’s okay too,” which Jack’s Mother says to the Baker’s Wife (played by Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante) when the latter says she has no children. Lea said that Eugene's way of delivering always makes sense, whether she is happy or pissed off on the day.
Lea said what Eugene does is a lesson in acting and how safe a rehearsal room is supposed to be.
“You can basically throw all the stuff at the wall and see what sticks. In her case, she throws everything at the wall and everything sticks,” Lea ended praising her co-star. — Video by Philstar.com / Kristofer Purnell
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