Sam Concepcion says he feels 'challenged but lucky' to headline two musicals

Prepare to see more of Sam Concepcion on stage as he gets ready to juggle two musicals at once.

Amid the success and ongoing run of "One More Chance: The Musical," in which the multi-talented artist plays Popoy, Sam will also headline the Philippine staging of the coming-of-age musical "Once On This Island."

"It is definitely a challenge, but I feel lucky to have this challenge, to have these two different shows, I think it keeps me on my toes. It stretches me in ways na other things can't," Sam told GMA News Online in an interview.

As he looked back on his career, Sam expressed how happy he is to still be performing in theater, noting that this is where he started.

"Theater is where I started before I started showbiz. It's always been a part of my life, and even though I took a different turn when I entered show business, there are always seasons in my life where I would come back to my roots, and it always feels like home."

"I'm really glad that I am still able to do it today," he added.

In celebration of its 15th year, 9 Works Theatrical will be staging "Once on This Island," an award-winning musical about star-crossed lovers Ti Moune and Daniel Beauxhomme and the class differences that stand in the way of their love.

Sam will be playing Daniel and will alternate the role with Jef Flores.

He said that there might be a huge difference between "One More Chance" and "Once On This Island." Sam assured him that he would give his absolute best in every performance.

"It's very different because one is a Filipino pop music, and this, (Once On This Island) is a classic, mythology, it's very more traditional piece of theater," he said.

"Well, both are beautiful shows with beautiful music, but Once is heavy on the dancing. It's very festive and colorful. We have a great cast, and I am just glad to be a part of this," he added.

Sam will be joined by co-stars Thea Astley and Angela Ken, who will be alternating for the role of Ti Moune. Radha as Asaka, Lorenz Martinez as Papa Ge, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and Jasmine Fitzgerald as Erzulie, Raul Montesa and Noel Rayos as Tonton Julian, Lani Ligot as Mama Euralie, Shanaia Gomez and Krystal Kane as Andrea, PJ Rebullida as Armand, Jonjon Martin, Sam Libao, Jordan Andrews, and Fay Castro as the Storytellers, and Bianca Estacio and Reese Iso as Little Ti Moune.

The musical will be staged at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City from September 6 to 29. Ticket prices range from P2,200 to P3,900, available via Ticket2Me.

Meanwhile, the second run of One More Chance is still available to watch until October 20 at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City.

Apart from Sam, the musical adaptation stars CJ Navato, Anna Luna, Nicole Omillo, Kiara Takahashi, Sheena Belarmino, Jef Flores, and Jay Gonzaga. It features songs by nine-piece folk-pop band Ben&Ben. —JCB, GMA Integrated News