After joining the star-studded cast of Theater Group Asia’s Philippine staging of the Stephen Sondheim musical Into The Woods where she plays the role of Jack’s mother from “Jack and the Beanstalk”, actress Eugene Domingo admitted that she can’t help but call fellow cast member Lea Salonga nothing less than a saint after witnessing her work up close. During the presscon for the show last July 31, Eugene talked about witnessing her Tony-award winning colleague work her craft firsthand.
“My Santa Lea. Santa Lea ang tawag ko sa kanya kasi siya na talaga ‘yung kinapitan ko. Lea Salonga — siguro nakikita niyo lang siya, parang idol, idol. Grabe ang pagkatao siya,” she told the press during the event.
Like many others, Eugene was also starstruck with the international artist during rehearsals. The 54-year-old actress shared that it was inspiring to see how a world-class talent really operates.
“Yung parang, wala akong time ma-starstruck kay Lea kasi may sakit ako. Lalayo na lang ako. Kasi nalilito ako.. Ma-sa-starstruck ba ako? Uupo ba ako? Ano ba gagawin ko? Kasi lagi siyang handa, lagi siyang perfect. Hindi siya nagkakamali. Hinihintay ko siyang magkamali eh, para mapuna ko na, ‘Ay, nagkamali ka!’ (laughs). Eto na, sabi ko, ‘Oh my God, nasintunado siya. Sure ako nasintunado siya.’ Pagtingin ko, umiiyak pala. Sabi niya, ‘Sorry, this is very sensitive to me.’ Kaya pala medyo naiba ‘yung tono, naiyak pala. Perfect talaga eh. Nakakainis (laughs),” she shared.
“So dahil sinabi ko na sa inyo na naiyak siya, marami sa mga scenes na ginagawa namin or nasa scenes ni Witch, ang sobrang tatama talaga sa puso ng manunuod,” teased Eugene of Lea’s role in the musical.
While she maintained that Lea is indeed a world-class talent, Eugene also talked about the side of Lea that many probably don’t think of — the normal, human side of her.
“Isa siyang tao. Isa siyang tao na nagsasalita rin ng hindi magandang mga words. Kadalasan, isa siyang tao na ma-Marites din. Yes, totoo ‘yun. Yes, tao lang din siya. Nagkataon lang na biniyayaan tayo ng isang Pilipina na kaya mong itapat sa buong mundo pagdating sa galing. Siya ‘yun,” she continued.
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During the presscon, Eugene compared Lea to American Broadway star Bernadette Peters, who was the first actress to play the role of the Witch in the original 1987 production of Into The Woods.
“Kung alam niyo ‘yung ‘Into the Woods’, know na hindi ito mababa na play or something. Tatama talaga ito sa puso ninyo and it’s very well delivered by Lea Salonga. Mas magaling pa siya kay Bernadette Peters. Hindi kami magkakilala ni Bernadette Peters kaya okay lang (laughs). Si Bernadette Sembrano lang kilala ko eh,” she shared jokingly.
Eugene also shared her thoughts on working with New York-based Fil-Am Broadway star Arielle Jacobs, who makes her local stage debut in the musical as Cinderella.
“I really don’t know you very well yet, but you really are so beautiful, inside and out. There was this one moment where I was really discouraged about myself. This is really challenging to me eh, all of this things. And then she approached me and told me, ‘You know, you’re doing very good, really!‘ Nagpaka-Cinderella siya sa harap ko. And then I said, ‘Oh my God, coming from you,” said Eugene, recalling a shared moment with the actress.
To Arielle, Eugene said: “I really appreciated that you are sensitive with your co-actors. Everything that’s happening in your surroundings is different and I’m sorry that you had a problem with your stomach because of our food. I’m so sorry.“
”Nagkaroon siya ng something, nagka-food poisoning siya, pero ganun siya ka-professional. She delivered. She attended, she danced. She did everything,” she added. “I’m really proud na nakatrabaho kita. I’m proud that I’m working with you now and I hope that this is not your last.”
Into the Woods will run from August 7 to 31 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater at Circuit Mall, Makati with shows running from Thursdays to Sundays.