‘Les Misérables’ musical play to commence Manila run in March

“Les Misérables” promotional photo (Photo from Les Misérables Manila’s Facebook page)

MANILA – The latest musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” will have its Manila leg on March 11 at The Theatre in Solaire Resort and Casino.

Together with the exceptional cast and crew is Filipino singer-actress Rachelle Ann Go who portrays Fantine, a grisette who struggled to provide for her daughter and was later on forced by circumstances to become a prostitute.

“I was so excited I was giggling on the plane back home… Finally, I’ve come to perform ‘Les Misérables’ in my hometown. It’s a chance for Filipinos to see what I’ve been doing in London for the past couples of month now – and I can’t wait to share my performance with them,” Go says in an Inquirer.net report by Rito Asilo.

After her compelling portrayal of Gigi in the 25th anniversary revival of “Miss Saigon,” Go will again perform in theatre as Fantine and sing her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream.”

“Getting asked to portray Fantine after Gigi was surreal. When I first heard that they wanted me in ‘Les Miz,’ I cried, because the offer allows me to live my dream,” she adds.

Musical theatre star Simon Gleeson who plays Jean Valjean, a parolee who also struggled during the economic depression but later became a benefactor to the small town he lived his new life, believes that the show remains relevant to date with its themes of love and courage amid difficulties and that the seasoned actors and actresses will be able to own their roles.

“An actor is informed by his unique experiences – and those experiences can only be his. I have long realized that my business as an actor is to communicate my character’s story clearly and comprehensibly,” he says in the same report.

Working with the 29-yeard old singer-sctress, Gleeson has this to say, “Seriously, I’ve been blessed to see a sneak peek of Rachelle as Fantine, and I must say it is something Filipinos will be proud to see.”