Isay Alvarez-Seña has every reason to look and feel good these days.
She has just been voted by fans as Best Actress in a Musical for her compelling portrayal of legendary jazz singer Katy dela Cruz in Spotlight Artists Centre’s successful restaging of “Katy” last year.
She’s on her way to fully recovering from her ailment that she earlier revealed to be “chronic lymphocytic leukemia” as she happily announced that she will undergo her last treatment for the disease next month.
And she’s opening the new year on a high note—well, make that literally singing all those high notes—as a featured headliner for “Rak of Aegis”, the original Pinoy rock musical that closes the 46th season of the Philippine Educational Theater Association.
“Actually, it was our arranger, Myke Salomon, who came up with the idea last year when the musical ‘Rock of Ages’ was a big hit. So kalokohan lang yun, sabi niya, why don’t we do ‘Rak of Aegis’ and then the whole thing just started from there,” Isay recalled in an interview with InterAksyon during the recent press preview that gave an exciting sneak peek of the actual finished product.
Describing the family musical as “pang-masa” and “something everyone will really enjoy”, Isay insists that there is more to the musical than the songs of the hugely popular pop-rock band that inspired it.
The story takes place in the flooded village of Villa Venizia where a once booming shoe-making industry is now flailing. Aileen (Aicelle Santos alternating with Joan Bugcat), a young woman who works in a mall aspires to be a YouTube singing sensation in order to help her family. Along the way, Aileen also found what writer Liza Magtoto describes as “love in the time of calamity”.
“I play the role of Mary Jane, the barangay chairman of Villa Venizia (alternating with Kaila Aguilos) who also happens to be the mother of Kenny (Poppert Bernadas alternating with Myke Salomon), the love interest of Aileen. Kenny’s father, Kiel is played by my husband, Robert Seña who is married but with whom my character had a relationship in the past,” Isay added.
Asked how Aegis reacted when the project was brought to their attention, director Maribel Legarda said the group did not hesitate to give it their stamp of approval. They are even promoting “Rak of Aegis” in their official Facebook page and are looking forward to attending the musical’s opening night on January 31.
For her part, Isay said she’s very happy and excited to be working with young talented artists like Myke Salomon, who is more known as a beatboxer and a member of the super pop group the Sabado Boys, and Poppert Bernadas, a mainstay of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers.
And then, there’s also Aicelle Santos, who last year was shortlisted by Cameron Mackintosh for the role of Gigi in the Manila auditions for “Miss Saigon” and is best known for being part of the super singing group La Diva that also features Jonalyn Viray and Maricris Garcia.
“When me and Robert started producing original Filipino musicals at Spotlight Artists Center, we wanted to work with young talented artists. Myke was in ‘Magsimula Ka’, Poppert was also both in ‘Magsimula Ka’ and ‘Katy’ and of course, Aicelle who also played the young Katy. We’re proud to say that these young talented actors started with our group,” the actress enthused.
Despite having their own theater company, Isay and Robert said it’s always a pleasure for them to be part of PETA productions. During the press preview, Legarda revealed that only the two did not have to audition for their roles.
“We love being part of PETA productions because their focus is on original Filipino productions which also happens to be our focus at Spotlight Artists Centre. We live very near the PETA theater so logistically puwede namang mangyari na mapasama kami sa shows nila”, Isay quipped.
Also starring Ron Alfonso, Jet Barrun, Kakai Bautista, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Neomi Gonzales, Pepe Herrera, Carlon Matobato, Julienne Mendoza, John Moran, Jerald Napoles, Gie Onida, Phillip Palmos, Paeng Sudayan, and Gold Villar, “Rak of Aegis” runs from January 31 to March 9, 2014 at The PETA Theater Center located at No.5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.
For ticket information, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph, www.petatheater.com or email petatheater@gmail.com.
Watch Isay talk about “Rak of Aegis” in this exclusive News5 Everywhere video:
She has just been voted by fans as Best Actress in a Musical for her compelling portrayal of legendary jazz singer Katy dela Cruz in Spotlight Artists Centre’s successful restaging of “Katy” last year.
She’s on her way to fully recovering from her ailment that she earlier revealed to be “chronic lymphocytic leukemia” as she happily announced that she will undergo her last treatment for the disease next month.
And she’s opening the new year on a high note—well, make that literally singing all those high notes—as a featured headliner for “Rak of Aegis”, the original Pinoy rock musical that closes the 46th season of the Philippine Educational Theater Association.
“Actually, it was our arranger, Myke Salomon, who came up with the idea last year when the musical ‘Rock of Ages’ was a big hit. So kalokohan lang yun, sabi niya, why don’t we do ‘Rak of Aegis’ and then the whole thing just started from there,” Isay recalled in an interview with InterAksyon during the recent press preview that gave an exciting sneak peek of the actual finished product.
Describing the family musical as “pang-masa” and “something everyone will really enjoy”, Isay insists that there is more to the musical than the songs of the hugely popular pop-rock band that inspired it.
The story takes place in the flooded village of Villa Venizia where a once booming shoe-making industry is now flailing. Aileen (Aicelle Santos alternating with Joan Bugcat), a young woman who works in a mall aspires to be a YouTube singing sensation in order to help her family. Along the way, Aileen also found what writer Liza Magtoto describes as “love in the time of calamity”.
“I play the role of Mary Jane, the barangay chairman of Villa Venizia (alternating with Kaila Aguilos) who also happens to be the mother of Kenny (Poppert Bernadas alternating with Myke Salomon), the love interest of Aileen. Kenny’s father, Kiel is played by my husband, Robert Seña who is married but with whom my character had a relationship in the past,” Isay added.
Asked how Aegis reacted when the project was brought to their attention, director Maribel Legarda said the group did not hesitate to give it their stamp of approval. They are even promoting “Rak of Aegis” in their official Facebook page and are looking forward to attending the musical’s opening night on January 31.
For her part, Isay said she’s very happy and excited to be working with young talented artists like Myke Salomon, who is more known as a beatboxer and a member of the super pop group the Sabado Boys, and Poppert Bernadas, a mainstay of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers.
And then, there’s also Aicelle Santos, who last year was shortlisted by Cameron Mackintosh for the role of Gigi in the Manila auditions for “Miss Saigon” and is best known for being part of the super singing group La Diva that also features Jonalyn Viray and Maricris Garcia.
“When me and Robert started producing original Filipino musicals at Spotlight Artists Center, we wanted to work with young talented artists. Myke was in ‘Magsimula Ka’, Poppert was also both in ‘Magsimula Ka’ and ‘Katy’ and of course, Aicelle who also played the young Katy. We’re proud to say that these young talented actors started with our group,” the actress enthused.
Despite having their own theater company, Isay and Robert said it’s always a pleasure for them to be part of PETA productions. During the press preview, Legarda revealed that only the two did not have to audition for their roles.
“We love being part of PETA productions because their focus is on original Filipino productions which also happens to be our focus at Spotlight Artists Centre. We live very near the PETA theater so logistically puwede namang mangyari na mapasama kami sa shows nila”, Isay quipped.
Also starring Ron Alfonso, Jet Barrun, Kakai Bautista, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Neomi Gonzales, Pepe Herrera, Carlon Matobato, Julienne Mendoza, John Moran, Jerald Napoles, Gie Onida, Phillip Palmos, Paeng Sudayan, and Gold Villar, “Rak of Aegis” runs from January 31 to March 9, 2014 at The PETA Theater Center located at No.5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.
For ticket information, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph, www.petatheater.com or email petatheater@gmail.com.
Watch Isay talk about “Rak of Aegis” in this exclusive News5 Everywhere video:
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