'Once On This Island': Thea Astley shines in her 'dream role' in theater

Just a few months after her theater debut in the Broadway hit musical "Rent," Kapuso singer Thea Astley stunned viewers with her flawless performance in the Philippine staging of "Once On This Island: A Musical."

During the preview night on Thursday, the Queendom Diva wowed viewers not only with her voice but also with her dancing and acting skills, as she portrayed the lead role of Ti Moune.

"It was really a challenge, but gladly, we finally got out of the hurdle of our first audience," said Thea during an interview with GMA News Online.

As preparation for the role, apart from a proper diet and exercise, she avoided going out with friends to minimize her exposure and not get sick.

Thea said that the project is important to her so she wants to stay focused, especially since this is her dream role.

"Honestly, I didn't really have time to think of the fact I'm living out my dream role, I didn't think about who was in the audience; I was just in the moment, I was just in the story," she said.

"You do it for the story, not for the audience kasi, your goal is to perform it truthfully and beautifully. Yung kusa nalangna it will touch the hearts of the people without having to force it," she added.

Thea recalled that during the closing night of "Rent," the director, Robbie Guevarra, asked her to sing "Waiting For Life" to announce 9 Works Theatrical's next show.

She said she knew the song with all her heart and auditioned with the same song for Ateneo Blue Repertory.

Now that she's singing the song as Ti Moune, Thea said she's very happy.

"It was such a joy. That song is so joyful; it's basically a kid in a woman's body. She's so full of wonder and so much lust for life, and every time I perform the song, I feel happy because you just tap into your childhood," she added.

Thea made her theater debut as Mimi Marquez in "Rent." In her second lead role, she said she brought all the lessons from her first, making her even more confident in her comeback.

"Once on This Island" tells the story of star-crossed lovers Ti Moune and Daniel Beauxhomme, and the class differences that stand in the way of their love. It is based on Rosa Guy's 1985 novel "My Love, My Love" or "The Peasant Girl," which is a Caribbean reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid."

Also among the cast members are Sam Concepcion and Jef Flores as Daniel, Radha as Asaka, Lorenz Martinez as Papa Ge, Garret Bolden as Agwe, 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 production is directed by the company's Artistic Director, Robbie Guevara.

The musical will be staged at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City from September 6 to September 29.

Ticket prices range from P2,200 to P3,900, available via Ticket2Me. —JCB, GMA Integrated News