MANILA, Philippines - Speaking of Grizabella, the arche-typal feline has-been (think Lindsay Lohan in theater) in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s uber-musical Cats, we cannot help but dig inside Tony-Award-winning thespian Lea Salonga’s pop culture unconscious. It was as if we were seeing the international performer on her Glamour Cat ensemble, but this time, she was not singing “Memory.” If this one-on-one dialogue were a musical, Lea could have chosen a song-and-dance number of “That’s Entertainment.” Perhaps, Sunday noontime shows should learn a thing or two from the Cats star’s That’s Entertainment-by-Kuya-Germs nostalgia.
“The Vegas-style production numbers and the outfits worn by the Belle Dancers on GMA Supershow,” Lea remembers the good ‘ol days of variety shows back in the ’80s when local artists would anticipate for their massive TV performances. Now, it bothers her to see gyrating girls on noontime shows. “No, I don’t get to watch local TV. [But] I watch Glee [although] I never had a slushee thrown on my face.”
All the more, flashbacks of the ’80s come running through the head of our very own Disney star. (Do Aladdin and Mulan ring a bell?) “John En Marsha ... Discorama ... the early days of Eat Bulaga... Patok na Patok on Channel 4,” she reveals her inner ’80s momma. And we could not stop the Broadway hotshot. “The thing about the ’80s: It’s all about bad hair and great music!” We could not agree more. “And if you had safety pins on your jacket, you were cool,” Lea adds. “Remember the blue and pink Aqua Net hairspray?! [They were] literally cement on your hair!” Lea Salonga, the actress we have known for her grace and finesse, is officially a rock star.
“The ’80s was an innocent time and the TV shows reflect that.” Obviously, our current time has never been about innocence. We now live in time where today’s Grizabellas remain to live like the wretched character of Cynthia Patag on the defunct ’90s sitcom Palibhasa Lalake. The 2010s should not be a time of indifference.
But Lea desires one aspect. That’s for sure. “Facebook, cellphones. I love [them]. I like the networking, communication aspect. [Although] there’s still a lot of crap in Facebook, [there are] really good applications like scrabble!” The Twitterverse, in fact, has never stopped tweeting poetic about the grand dame of Philippine theater. So, we gathered what stage-crazy tweeps have been talking about.
yRa_62 _: I’m bored … so I listened to Lea Salonga’s songs .. OMG .. her voice was terrifying .. the best!!
jeldirecto Q: Ano ang unang variety show ni Lea Salonga?
nightaly: We Could Be In Love // Lea Salonga ft. Brad Kane _ÅÙ
noimendoza: @karenmbb Lea Salonga, pls! :) She’s part of a major production this July here in the Philippines (Cats!) and she’s Filipina! :D
jjabr219: Spent the morning listening to Lea Salonga. She’s so awesome.
Pubert_: Land of the Loving by Lea Salonga on @SlackerRadio
secretaustinman: 1 p.m. today: Rehearsal with Tony winner Lea Salonga again! :-) Then gym, tap class, movie. Good week!
ClickJSF: Listening to the Les Misérables Dream Cast Concert soundtrack. Lea Salonga is a BEAST! Flip pride yo!
Celine53: @DanielRazon on warm drinks; Lea Salonga, while on a contract with Ms. Saigon was advised not to talk unless impt. and no cold drinks.
Tonemaxi: Heading to New York tonight for a photoshoot!!! With Patti Austin Grammy winner and Lea Salonga, Tony and Laurence Olivier best actress.
garlicllavore: @jampackedbear: Pareho kayo ni Lea Salonga! will give up dessert this lent! Hahaha!
shing921613: @MsLeaSalonga: I gave up spaghetti and soft drinks. Let’s hope for the best this Lent Ms. Lea Salonga :)
MRamosDC: @amandabynes: You should hear Lea Salonga...!
thione: RT @Fordstaff rehearsals in NYC for the reading of “Allegiance” by Jay Kuo featuring a glorious cast including Lea Salonga & George Takei.
JentheAmazing: I adore Lea Salonga’s version of I Dreamed a Dream. “I had a dream my life would be, so diff’rent from this hell I’m living …” Heartbreaking!
katiecollins95: I’ve only just realized that Lea Salonga did the voice of Mulan in the film. She was like, THE best Eponine ever!