lea in seoul

Broadway Actress Lea Salonga Shares Secrets to Success

Filipino actress and singer Lea Salonga will perform in Seoul for the first time on Monday at the Seoul Arts Center.
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

When Korean concert promoters approached Tony Award-winning Broadway actress Lea Salonga, 37, with the invitation to hold a solo concert in Seoul, she was surprised.

``There were some promoters who wanted me to come over and do a concert. And I was like, `Really? Why?','' she laughingly recalled, as she sat down for an interview with The Korea Times, Sunday.

Despite her success in the international theater scene, Salonga shows she's still down-to-earth and humble. The Filipino actress and singer is famous for the lead role Kim in the musical ``Miss Saigon'' on the West End and Broadway, winning numerous awards including the Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award for Best Actress. Fans of Disney animated musicals will recognize her voice as the singing voice for heroines Jasmine (``Aladdin'') and Mulan.

Salonga, who is in Seoul for a solo concert Monday at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, is not sure how well the Korean audience knows her and her music.

``I have no idea how many people will actually come to the concert or if we're going to be able to fill up the concert, or if there will be only 10 people. My attitude is: if there are ten people there, these are the ten people who really want to see you. So, you do your best for them no matter what,'' she said.

Salonga expressed admiration for Korean musical performers, having seen some videos of musical performances on YouTube. ``I was incredibly impressed by the singing, the beauty of the sets and how people were really into what they're doing. I was surprised at how good the quality of the singing was. Their voices are perfectly right, big, clear and strong. It was wonderful to see that. It really makes me happy that there's a really big musical scene here. Hopefully people become interested in me because of that,'' she said.

When asked if she has any advice for aspiring Asian actors and actresses who want to work on Broadway, Salonga said they should continue to work hard and maintain a professional attitude. ``You should have a sincere love for this (work) and treat it with the utmost respect. I try to do that as much as possible, and it served me well. Sometimes, it is being at the right place at the right time when the right opportunity comes along,'' she added.

She recently celebrated her 30th year in show business with two sell-out concerts in Manila last month. ``There are a lot of (career) highlights - the Disney movies, `Miss Saigon,' `Les Miserables'. … My life highlights would be my marriage and the birth of my daughter. Everything else I guess is gravy,'' she said, with a smile.

During her concert, Salonga will be accompanied by the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Gerard Salonga, who is also her brother.

``My brother knows me better than any musical director does. One because he's my brother so he knows me as a person, what my preferences would be, what my sweet spot is and where I am emotionally because he's a member of my family. His musical competence, expertise and level of skill are also incredibly high. I have a very high amount of trust in him,'' she said.

Salonga will sing popular songs from Disney animated musicals such as ``Reflection'' from ``Mulan,'' ``A Whole New World'' from ``Aladdin,'' ``Part of Your World'' from ``The Little Mermaid'' and ``Circle of Life'' from ``The Lion King.''

Also on the program are Broadway tunes such as ``On My Own'' from Les Miserables, ``Nothing'' from ``A Chorus Line,'' ``I've Never Been In Love Before'' from ``Guys and Dolls'' and ``I'd Give My Life For You'' from ``Miss Saigon.''

Tickets range from 30,000 won to 180,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555. Tickets will also be sold at the gate.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr