Kapuso singers Thea Astley, Garrett Bolden among lead cast of 'Once on This Island'

Kapuso represent!

Kapuso singers Thea Astley and Garrett Bolden are among the cast of the Philippine staging of the coming-of-age musical “Once on This Island.”

During the exclusive press visit to their rehearsal, the team shared a sneak peek as they sang “We Dance,” led by Thea, and Angela Ken who will be alternating for the role of Ti Moune.

According to the director, Robbie Guevara, it was quite difficult to find the "perfect cast" as they wanted to showcase diversity in this production.

“We had to choose, of course, one, the singing and the dancing and the diversity of the looks. Kasi, you have a village representing a nation e, so we really want to showcase it. Even the kids are not the same size,” Robbie told the reporters.

The Queendom Diva, Thea, also shared her excitement about getting the lead role of Ti Moune. To her, it feels like a full circle moment as she has always loved the musical after watching it on Broadway years ago.

“We ended Rent early June, tapos we started rehearsals na parang end of July, so there really wasn’t much rest, but I love what I do. Parang after 'Rent,' I am craving na to be back onstage, so I am so happy that this came along when it did,” she said, adding that she also brought all the lessons from "Rent," making her confident to conquer the stage once again.

Meanwhile, Garrett, dubbed as the Kapuso Soul Balladeer, will play the role of Agwe, the God of Water. He was also part of 9 Works Theatrical's Philippine staging of "Rent."

He said that after "Rent," he has been eager to keep doing musicals since he never thought of being a theater actor back then.

“I have always loved performing but as a singer, and this is different. This is a passionate awakening sa akin doing musicals. When I did 'Miss Saigon' in Guam a few years ago, that was just a snap, and after 'Rent,' my first musical in the Philippines, I feel so blessed and now with 'Once [on This Island],'” Garrett shared.

He added that he’s very excited to work again with Thea and other cast members that he worked with before.

“Sabi ko nga from 'Rent,' this is a very different environment, so it’s good to have those familiar people na sanay ka na to work with and kumbaga nababawasan 'yung kaba ko. I know I have a lot to learn from them and the veterans as well.”

Juggling theater and television can be really tiring, but Garrett said, “Nothing can be so tiring if you love what you do.”

In celebration of its 15th year, 9 Works Theatrical will be staging “Once on This Island,” an award-winning musical that 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, 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 will be directed by the company’s Artistic Director, Robbie Guevara.

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

Ticket prices range from P2,200 to P3,900, available via Ticket2Me.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News