Vina Morales makes Broadway debut in 'Here Lies Love' | The Final Word - video Dailymotion

CNN Philippines

Another multi-talented Pinay makes her Broadway debut. Actress-singer Vina Morales replaces Lea Salonga, in a limited engagement, in the musical “Here Lies Love.” in New York.   Vina tells us how this all came about live in the studio.  Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 Another multi-talented and awarded Filipina

00:03 makes her Broadway debut.

00:05 Actress-singer, Vina Morales replaces Lea Salonga

00:08 in a limited engagement in the musical

00:11 "Here Lies Love" in New York.

00:13 Vina tells us about how this all came about

00:16 live in the studio.

00:17 Vina!

00:18 - Hi, Nico.

00:19 Thank you for having me. - Thank you so much.

00:20 Yes, wow, this is 10 years in the making.

00:25 So briefly, how did it all come about

00:27 that you got this role as Aurora Aquino?

00:29 - Okay, it started when I joined theater.

00:34 I did the role Sherry for "Rock of Ages."

00:36 And then after that, my love for theater just continued.

00:41 And so I auditioned for "Here Lies Love"

00:43 for National Theater more than 10 years ago.

00:46 (both laughing)

00:47 - When "Here Lies Love" was still unknown.

00:49 - Yeah, until I got a call.

00:52 So I went to a different journey of my career.

00:55 And then when I did my Australian concert tour,

00:59 I just got back a few days ago.

01:02 And then I got a call from my good friends,

01:05 direct Bobby Garcia, who was my director

01:08 for "Rock of Ages" and Lea Salonga.

01:10 - Wow.

01:11 - So they put up a group chat and they asked me

01:14 if I wanted to join or audition for the role

01:17 of Aurora Aquino for "Here Lies Love."

01:20 - Now that you've gotten the role of Aurora Aquino,

01:24 did you do a lot of research?

01:26 Did you speak to Lea about the role

01:28 and how you should tackle it?

01:30 - During the audition for my video audition,

01:33 she gave me inputs about the character of Aurora Aquino.

01:38 She was really a big help.

01:40 She was so kind, guiding me all the way through the process

01:43 until I got accepted.

01:45 Right now, I'm on the process of researching

01:50 for the character of Aurora.

01:52 At the same time, I still have, well,

01:55 a little rehearsal time while I'll be in New York.

02:00 'Cause it's ongoing now, so everyone rehearsed already.

02:05 I have a few days of rehearsal before--

02:07 - You really have to fit in perfectly, right?

02:10 Seamlessly into the cast on September 22.

02:14 - Yes, since I'm the new addition to the family.

02:17 Well, I'm very excited.

02:20 At the same time, I'm kinda pressured with a time limit

02:24 that I have for the rehearsals.

02:25 'Cause I have few days plus the shadow rehearsal,

02:29 watching them, the entire show, the entire play.

02:33 Yeah, a lot of research.

02:36 - Yeah, but now that you're researching about Aurora Aquino,

02:39 are you seeing any kind of similarities

02:42 between you and Aurora Aquino?

02:45 - She was a very strong woman and love for the family.

02:50 She has love for the family and for the country.

02:53 Siguro being a strong person, you know?

02:55 Being a mom who loves your family, family first.

03:00 And yeah, very strong-willed person.

03:05 - Okay, "Rock of Ages."

03:07 - "Rock of Ages."

03:08 - And now, "Here Lies Love."

03:09 - "Here Lies Love."

03:10 - In between, you sing in concerts,

03:13 you perform on live television.

03:16 How different is the discipline of theater

03:19 compared to the movies, teleseries, and other genres?

03:24 - Actually, it's almost the same

03:28 when it comes to preparation, discipline.

03:31 'Cause it's really up to the person.

03:32 It's really up to the actor and how he deals

03:36 with each project that was given to her or him.

03:40 But probably for me, there are more pressure

03:45 when it comes to theater,

03:47 because a lot of rehearsals, a lot of training,

03:51 because there's no take two.

03:52 - Yes, that's right.

03:54 It's live.

03:55 - It's live.

03:55 I mean, if I do concerts on my own,

03:58 I mean, I'm not portraying any role.

04:00 If I forget something or a mistake, it's okay.

04:04 It's me.

04:05 I can just change it in a lighter way, right?

04:10 - But now, this is such a huge stage.

04:13 - I'll be working with--

04:14 - Different nationalities.

04:16 - Well, no, this is an all-Filipino cast.

04:18 - I guess all-Filipino cast, that's right.

04:20 - Yes, telling the story of the history of our story.

04:24 And so, it's a big challenge for me

04:27 because there's no take two.

04:29 Not unlike when doing movies or teleseries,

04:33 you can do how many takes.

04:34 But with this one, it has to be perfect, almost perfect.

04:38 That's why you have to be really 100% focused

04:42 during the play.

04:43 - So, what does it feel like

04:46 that you will be on a Broadway stage?

04:49 Are you getting butterflies in your stomach?

04:51 Already jitters?

04:52 - Oh yeah, I am thinking about it.

04:55 It's more of the excitement.

04:57 And then, I'm just like,

05:01 'cause right now, I'm just learning the acts

05:06 that I'm gonna do.

05:07 I still have rehearsals with them,

05:09 with the director, Alex Timbers,

05:11 which they are familiar with me already during my audition.

05:15 But it's just a lot of things to do

05:19 before I do the act on Broadway.

05:24 It's a mixed feelings, actually.

05:28 But I'm more excited

05:30 because this is a dream come true for me.

05:33 This is one of my bucket lists.

05:34 - Yes.

05:35 - Check.

05:36 - But I'm sure there's even much more ambition

05:39 on that bucket list beyond September 22

05:43 and October 22, right? - Until October 22.

05:45 - What if you were asked,

05:47 "Lina, hypothetically, we want you to extend.

05:50 We want you to stay for an extended period

05:53 for 'Here Lies Love.'

05:54 Will you do that?"

05:56 - It is possible, actually.

05:57 It was mentioned.

06:00 But let's see if that happens,

06:02 I would be willing to do it.

06:04 'Cause this is a good opportunity for me.

06:06 And this is what I love to do.

06:10 But I have to go back home right away.

06:13 - You have other projects.

06:14 - I also have other projects waiting.

06:16 I am doing a movie, the "Sunny" film, a Korean adaptation.

06:21 So I need to go back to the Philippines.

06:24 But I am willing to do it.

06:26 Well, let's see.

06:27 I cannot say it yet.

06:29 But right now, my act will start on September 22

06:33 until October 22.

06:34 - But of course, when you are on the Broadway stage,

06:37 there are so many other producers, right?

06:39 From different productions who will be watching you.

06:43 And it opens a lot of new doors.

06:45 When you're on the global stage of Broadway,

06:48 and of course, in the UK, West End, London,

06:53 are you willing to be in other productions

06:55 if you are offered the opportunity?

06:57 - Oh yes, definitely.

06:59 I would love to do that.

07:01 At the same time, actually, it all started.

07:03 That's why they noticed me also.

07:05 Because I auditioned, like David Byrne

07:07 and also Alex Timbers.

07:09 You know, they were actually very vocal about it,

07:13 that they saw my audition.

07:15 So they're familiar with me.

07:16 That's where it started.

07:18 - Of course, Broadway is where you have

07:21 the major productions of "Phantom of the Opera,"

07:23 "Les Misérables," "Jekyll and Hyde,"

07:26 and all of these major productions.

07:28 If you were given a dream role in a major production

07:33 on Broadway or West End, what role would that be?

07:37 And which musical?

07:38 - You know what?

07:39 Until now, I am still overwhelmed with this project.

07:44 (laughing)

07:45 And I'm like, okay. - But I'm sure before,

07:47 you would always like to do a major production

07:50 and a role, maybe like Fantine or Eponine.

07:54 (laughing)

07:55 - It's probably more of the singing and dancing type.

07:59 Chicago, maybe.

08:00 - Ah.

08:01 - Well, right now, I'm just like, you know,

08:06 focused on that.

08:07 But if there will be another opportunities,

08:09 and I have time, I have a lot of time in Broadway,

08:12 in New York, to figure it out,

08:14 which role I'm gonna do.

08:17 'Cause I'll be there for almost more than two,

08:20 more than a month.

08:21 Plus, yeah, the eight shows, I'll be eight shows in a week.

08:26 That's what we're doing.

08:28 - Wow, that would really be very taxing.

08:30 - Yes, but I will make time to watch Broadway plays

08:34 and find out, really, for myself,

08:36 what I really wanted to do.

08:38 I mean, what character I audition, you know, someday.

08:42 - And we are really very proud of you, Avina.

08:44 So please invite our viewers in the Philippines

08:47 who may be going to New York,

08:48 or Filipino-Americans in the East Coast,

08:51 or across the United States, to watch you on Broadway.

08:54 - Sige.

08:55 Pwede na ring ano, 'cause I'm doing a show

08:56 with Mr. David Pomeranz.

08:58 - Ah, okay.

08:59 - Yes, with David Pomeranz, back in the '80s.

09:01 - One of her favorite balladeers.

09:02 - Yes, September 9, San Jose.

09:04 September 16, in Los Angeles.

09:07 And September 1, my solo in Honolulu, Hawaii.

09:10 And after that, I will go straight to New York

09:12 for Broadway of "Here Lies Love."

09:16 And I'm just so excited,

09:18 and I'm really looking forward to meeting all the actors,

09:23 all the cast, and the production of "Here Lies Love."

09:27 I hope you guys can watch us.

09:29 My act will start on September 22 until October 22.

09:34 "Here Lies Love" on Broadway.

09:36 - So after, Avina, you promise us.

09:39 - I promise.

09:40 - When you come back to Manila,

09:41 you will share with us right here again,

09:43 on "The Final Word," your experience on "Here Lies Love,"

09:45 and portraying the role of Aurora Aquino.

09:47 - Yes, I would love to do that.

09:49 Thank you.

09:50 - Thank you so much, and all the best of luck in New York.

09:53 - Thank you.

09:53 - Vina Morales.

Vina Morales makes Broadway debut in 'Here Lies Love' | The Final Word

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