I treated myself to the Lea Salonga concert. I was not disappointed! She is amazing! Her talent is incredible but her personality on stage was even better. I loved her sincerity, humility, gratitude and love for people. She also shared a longer version of Reflection from Mulan and she has recorded a cut song from Miss Saigon, Too Much for One Heart. It fits so perfectly I'm sorry it was cut.
Lea is now 40 but she started her career as a child. She performed in theater in the Phillipines - King and I at age 7, Lead, Annie at age 9. In this audition (below) for Miss Saigon she was 17-18. Age 18 when she moved to London (on Drury Lane) to perform opposite a male romantic lead 10 years her senior. She tells how she had never had a boyfriend or been properly kissed when she played Kim and had to learn to do a passionate love scene, while singing. She has a great story to go with this. The first time I saw this, after falling in love with Miss Saigon, the video blew me away!
Final auditions:
Andrew Lloyd Webber medley:
Oh, wow-- what a gift she has; I am so glad you went! If Adam and I hadn't just had the opportunity to attend the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, I would have HAD to go too. It's very like that Erastmus quote, something about 'whenever I have money I buy books; if there's any left after that I buy food and clothes'. What's the point of other nice things without inspiring arts (and other classics) that nourish your soul, and give meaning to the rest??
ReplyDelete