Tony Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga has officially taken her final bow as Madame Thénardier following the last performance of Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular in Singapore.
On social media, Lea shared photos from the tour that showed how much she enjoyed the experience and portrayed the role.
“Madame T, signing off! It’s been quite the ride getting to play this character! Thirteen weeks flew by!” she wrote.
The acclaimed theater star also expressed her gratitude to producer Cameron Mackintosh, the production team, and her fellow cast members for welcoming her back into the show.
“Thanks to Cameron for the invitation to play in the Les Miz sandbox yet again… to James, Nikki, and JD for putting me in… to @red_concepcion for being playful and generous (I couldn’t have asked for a better partner-in-crime)… and to the entire Arena Spectacular company and crew for your hospitality and kindness!” she added.
“Break all the legs for Leg 3, and we shall all meet again soon!”
She also thanked audiences in both Manila and Singapore for warmly supporting the production.
“To our Manila and Singapore audiences, you were sensational! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!” Lea expressed.
Last March, it was announced that Lea would reprise the role of Madame Thénardier for the Singapore stop of the musical, having previously portrayed the character during the Manila run earlier this year alongside Red.
Before taking on the role as Madame Thénardier, Lea portrayed both Éponine and Fantine in various productions and anniversary concerts of Les Misérables.
In an earlier interview, the Broadway and West End star jokingly shared how refreshing it was to finally portray a character who survives until the end of the musical.
“This is my third role in the show. I did the two other dead girls previously. That's not a new hashtag, dead girl. Now to be cast in this world tour, and it’s really spectacular and the vocals, we have to start there and everyone’s incredible, it’s so nice that I don't die and I get to be not the one na maawa kayo sa kaniya (to pity her). It’s nice and I like living,” she laughingly said.
Following its successful Singapore run, Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular will continue its world tour with upcoming performances in Dublin beginning May 29, before heading to Birmingham, London, and New York City. The production was conceived and developed by Cameron Mackintosh in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the world’s longest-running musical.
Meanwhile, Lea continues to expand her international projects as she is set to perform at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on October 20. She will also be performing at the Hollywood Bowl in June alongside other international theater stars.
Lea is also part of the upcoming DreamWorks Animation’s Filipino culture-centered film, Forgotten Island, alongside H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dolly de Leon, Manny Jacinto, and Jo Koy.
The animated film is written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado and produced by Mark Swift. Distributed by Universal Pictures, the movie is scheduled to premiere in Philippine cinemas on September 23.