So Whitney won the previous season of America’s Next Top Model. Too much boo-tay for the average male? Hell, no! Where anorexics and wanorexics (wannabe anorexics) have left the building with not a pound to spare, out comes a new breed of woman who isn’t afraid of her own skin, who dares to defy the norm, or gravity for that matter, and parties like its 1982 — well, in this case, shakes and shimmies it in ‘60s Baltimore where everything is neon, colorful, bold, blonde and B-I-G-eautiful.
Big moves: The Elvis, the Charleston, the James Brown, Show Me the Money, and the Hot Potato. Big hair. Big dreams. Big ideas. And for Atlantis’ ongoing production of the Tony award-winning musical Hairspray, a leading lady whose persona is larger than life and nothing short of being an all-natural woman.
Self-coined as a “black Chinese Filipina senorita,” Maria Adella Ching, more fondly known as Madel, is a political science junior at the Ateneo and a proud member of Ateneo’s Blue Repertory. Having played the role of Martha Cox for Blue Rep’s High School Musical and Daisy in Bat Boy, she now dons the wig of the pleasantly plump and love-struck teenager Tracy Turnblad, a girl full of spunk who dreams of stardom and lobbies for racial integration in so far as dancing on the popular Corny Collins Show is concerned.
With her is leading man Timothy Espinosa, an up-and-coming musical theater Joe himself whose first foray into acting was playing the title role of the Lost Elf for his kindergarten play. He has since gone on to join his teen theater group in San Diego and now plays Link Larkin, boob tube heartthrob and the unprecedented “Ladies’ Choice,” as the song goes, with looks and a wink that could kill for the Manila production of Hairspray.
PHILIPPINE STAR: What’s your dream role?
MADEL CHING: This is it — to play Tracy.
How does it feel?
I was super scared. I’m still scared. But Chari (Arespacochaga) always tells me, “You have the role. So own it. Don’t think twice. We wouldn’t cast you if you couldn’t.” I’m scared but super excited at the same time.
TIM ESPINOSA: As an actor, you don’t really want to be typecast as one thing. So I’m open to playing all characters out there that life brings me.
Any role models in the theater industry?
MADEL: Tita Menchu (Lauchenco-Yulo). My driver and her driver talk. And my driver tells me that she vocalizes in the car. Even I don’t do that. I should. She’s that professional. And of course, Lea Salonga. And I love Chari. She’s such a mentor.
TIM: I’m not really exposed to a lot of theater actors out there. But like Madel said, I like Miss Menchu because she comes with craft and she doesn’t take no for an answer when someone says you can only go this far. She brings it to a whole other level.
How’s it like working with theater veterans?
MADEL: At first, super intimidating. First day of rehearsals, I was like, “I’m not gonna go up to them. They might think I’m some stupid newcomer.” But Tito Michael (de Mesa who plays Edna Turnblad), Tita Menchu, Tita Enchang (Kaimo)… they’ve been so helpful to me. They inspire me because even though they’re at that level, they’re still willing to help you.
TIM: We actually have three directors in the cast. Miss Menchu, Sir Leo Rialp, and Michael de Mesa. It makes me very excited because they offer us so much help.
Did you use the movie or Broadway production as character references?
MADEL: I just try to think that I don’t really have to make Tracy like Nikki Blonsky in the movie or Marissa Winokour on Broadway. I just think “Tracy can be Madel, too.”
TIM: My friend asked me, “So you’re gonna be Zac Efron in Hairspray?” But I was like, they cast me as Tim Espinosa. So my attack’s going to be different.
What is it about your character that you can relate to the most?
MADEL: (Gestures at herself) Duh. Well, aside from that, she’s a girl who just really wants to perform. And even if doors close on her, she never loses hope and remains positive. Fight!
TIM: Learning something. Because he comes to a realization towards the end. Sometimes in life, you make mistakes. If you’re lucky, you get to learn from them.
What’s your favorite trait about each other?
MADEL: Tim is a gentleman. As a leading man, he’ll really take care of you.
TIM: I see a lot of myself in Madel. We’re both comedians. She completes me. Ha, ha!
What’s your least favorite trait about each other
MADEL: He’s a bit shy.
TIM: Sometimes when we’re dancing and she does turns, her sweat gets on me, and inside my mouth. (Tim laughs as Madel squeals)
If the other person were a snack, what would he/she be?
MADEL: A Krispy Kreme Donut. Or maybe siomai? ‘Cuz I have siomai for breakfast every day and I never get sick of it. Naks!
TIM: A peanut-flavored M&M. She comes with different layers and is always full of surprises.
What song in Hairspray reminds you of each other?
MADEL: Without Love. For me, we always have to be there for each other. Group hug!
TIM: Ditto.
Future endeavors?
MADEL: Senior year. Law school. And hopefully more theater. Even if it’s not as a career, I definitely want to keep doing this as a hobby.
TIM: Theater. But if this doesn’t work out, probably go back to the States and become an insurance agent. Heh, heh!
Last words from Dulce (who plays Motormouth Maybelle).
DULCE: To work with these kids, it’s just so unbelievable because their level of commitment is so world-class. They’re quick to absorb what Bobby (Garcia) tells them to do. Leo also marvels at how these kids can sing and dance the whole day. They’re just really amazing!
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Hear that, kids? With a level of commitment that is sexy as it is profound (non-stop “triple threat” work comes to mind) and an unbridled passion for theater, a common denominator from within this talented mix of newcomers and veterans that complete the cast of Hairspray, it’s nice to know that Philippine theater past, present and exciting future is in good hands.
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Catch Hairspray the Musical live in Manila. Directed by Bobby Garcia under Atlantis Productions, the show also features Michael de Mesa as Edna Turnblad, Menchu Yulo as Velma Von Tussle, Leo Rialp as Wilbur, Nica Reynoso as Penny, Nyoy Volante as Seaweed, Christine Allado as Amber, Noel Rayos as Corny Collins, and Gabe Mercado and Enchang Kaimo as the male and female authority figures. The show will run at the Star Theater, CCP Complex until December 7. For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or www.atlantisproductionsinc.com.
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