‘Ang Huling El Bimbo’ paved way for ‘Into the Woods’ popularity — Mikkie Volante
SAN JUAN, La Union — No one would have imagined that Theatre Group Asia’s upcoming run of “Into the Woods” would have received the hype and anticipation that it did.
Tickets for the initial dates of the show sold out in two hours. Six more playdates were added and were also immediately sold out.
Celebrity couple Nyoy and Mikkie Volante, who portray the Baker and the Baker’s Wife in the upcoming production, could not believe the news even after visiting those who had lined up for hours outside the Samsung Performing Arts Theater hoping to get a ticket.
The couple sat down with Philstar.com after a press conference for “Into the Woods” last July 31 and tried to figure out where the demand came from.
Nyoy took a while to give answer, leading to Mikkie humorously begin singing “Children Will Listen” from the musical, but exchanged “children” with “media.”
“I really don’t know,” Nyoy said after giving it some thought. “I actually don’t know why, but I will say it deserves that kind of attention. With what we’ve accomplished here, it definitely is the reason.”
He went on to praise the show’s director, Chari Arespacochaga, and the rest of the all-star ensemble cast before reiterating he still isn’t sure where the attention is coming from.
“Kung tsamba lang, definitely naging tama sila sa desisyon nila to support it,” Nyoy said.
Mikkie pointed out the inclusion of Lea Salonga in the cast is a big factor, as the Tony winner will portray the Witch (who actually sings “Children Will Listen”). She also gave credit to the streaming of Full House Theater Company’s “Ang Huling El Bimbo” over the pandemic.
“The entire theater community owes that production so much because since that came out in a pro shot back in 2020 during the pandemic, once theaters were open again, that’s when we saw a huge influx of brand new, baby-faced, young, spry theatergoers,” Mikkie said.
The actress acknowledged attendees to the theater in the past were from older generations or retirees who “have money to burn,” now it’s students clamoring to see shows.
Mikkie also took note of the post-pandemic renaissance of local original productions, which for her, became pivotal for interest in classic material leading to mounting a huge project like a Stephen Sondheim piece.
“I think that excitement for seeing a Filipino cast take on the giant’s feet that is ‘Into the Woods’… that is where it lies,” Mikkie added, also praising the stacked cast.
The couple initially only knew that Lea was on the call sheet. They got even more excited when comedienne Eugene Domingo was cast, as well as Lea's son, Nic Chien.
As members of the theater community, Mikkie has known Nic for years but she adamantly stated that the young actor is fantastic as Jack.
“I don’t care whatever they wanna say, that ‘Oh this is Lea’s kid’… No, no, no, no, no, Nic Chien is a star in their own right because wow, wow, wow, so deserved,” Mikkie said of her young co-star.
Other cast members she is ecstatic to see were Teetin Villanueva as Little Red Riding Hood and Josh dela Cruz as Prince Charming/The Wolf, particularly the latter because she is a fan of “Blue’s Clues,” which the Filipino-American hosted.
The Volantes ended by extending the praise to how Theatre Group Asia marketed “Into the Woods” and hope it sets a new standard for how productions take care of their cast. — Video by Philstar.com / Kristofer Purnell
RELATED: Lea Salonga: Eugene Domingo can make every line stick
- Latest
- Trending
