Believing the Impossible
Of the seemingly impossible things that could happen on the days since I learned about Broadway Asia’s Cinderella, at the very top of that list is that I’ll fail to reserve good seats in time. Those who know me will not be surprised given my proverbial lateness; that despite the fact that very early on, I visited Ticketworld.com virtually everyday to watch for ticket availability. I failed in that respect, but in an awesome twist of fate that would make the Fairy Godmother proud, I did watch the play today, sitting on the exact same seat I had planned to get all along. Now, the significance of this story only lies in my realization, one that I’m very much embarrassed about, that I underestimated the Filipino theatergoer’s enthusiasm to watch a musical that has both material and premise working against it. This may be an unpopular opinion but I’ve gone from inviting people to go watch and received replies such as “It’s a bit too childish (I think I enjoyed the show a lot more that the small kids in the theater),” “I already know the story (but the music?), “ Too expensive (well, this is relative; but if you profess to love musicals, it’s just not a valid excuse),” and, my least favorite, “I’m not familiar with the songs (don’t you want to be?).”
Impossible things are happening everyday. It’s a rather oxymoronic catchphrase that I lapped up just because I am your average, old-fashioned, hopeless romantic. Which is exactly the reason why I don’t mind that this new production of Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s Cinderella felt and sounded like its age. There’s no getting around the fact that despite the universal appeal of the “kitchen slave-turned-princess” story, the score was written in the tone and sensibility of the (happy) olden days. Fifty years may not be such a long time but how can I fail to mention how I thought the prince was lame for not knowing why he so suddenly turned from tragically unhappy to deeply in love (and have the gall to ask the girl if she knows)? Nevertheless, the musical, specifically this Manila production, has its heart in the right place. I wouldn’t go so far as analyze the technicalities of the presentation; the experts have already done that. All I can say is that if you didn’t attend the Manila run, I wouldn’t call it “too much” if you’ll try to catch it in other parts of Asia these coming months. Why is that not too much, again? Because of Lea Salonga, that’s why.
Phenomenal talent is called that because it’s not something you’ll find in just about every corner of the world. In my mind, you never squander a chance to be in the presence of greatness. There’s a great amount of inspiration you can take away from watching a master perform his or her craft. In Cinderella, there’s no shortage of competence, excellence even. From Peter Saide’s Prince Christopher; Charlie Parker’s Fairy Godmother; Julia Cook, Jen Bechter, and Brandy Zarle’s stepmother and stepsisters, respectively; to the Ensemble and the two charming “mice,” everyone, at the helm of our very own Bobby Garcia, delivered perfectly. And what of the reason people came in droves - why there was not an empty seat in the house, so to speak? Lea Salonga is irrefutably the star of the show. When the Overture started playing and then Cinderella, in her rag clothes, and the Fairy Godmother, in her sparkly purple gown, were revealed on stage, I had goose bumps that didn’t go away until the Finale. When Lea sings, it’s the sweetest sound you’ll hear. I can only imagine the level of energy and dedication she has to play the part of the “silly goose” who dreamed with child-like wonder and innocence. That Lea was so effective as Cinderella – a far cry from her Kim, Eponine, and Fantine, those tragically fated ladies who were kept in their own little corner and never got to the Prince’s ball - is a testament to her caliber as a performer.
And the moral of the story? Ah, you know it already. But Broadway Asia’s Cinderella is such a pleasant and light-hearted treat that if you still have a chance to watch it, then, please, do yourself a favor and go. If it didn’t make me forget about the harsh realities of life to truly believe in the impossible, the little warmth in the heart it gave me is enough to somehow hope for that again.