Getting Into Broadway Musicals

Les Miserables is considered the most well-known of all
French musicals. The musical, written by French composer
Claude-Michel Schonberg and librettist Alain Boubil
originally for the Paris audience debuted in September
1979. It is actually based on Victor Hugo's novel "Les
Miserables" which relates the stories of major characters
ex-convict Jean Valjean, police inspector Javet, French
student Marius, Valjean's daughter Cosette and her single
mother Fantine as well as Eponine, young daughter of the
Thenardiers. Among the musical's famous and Tony
award-winning songs are "On My Own" and "I Dreamed A Dream."

The Les Mis musical returned to Broadway last November for
a limited six-month show. It marked its 20th year in 2006
and is the third longest-running musical in the history of
Broadway with 8,372 performances. It has also been watched
by more than 53 million people in 38 countries and 21
languages. The Cameron Mackintosh-produced musical opened
in Broadway in March 1987 garnering seven prestigious Tony
Awards that season such as for Best Musical.

Being able to join a Broadway musical is no easy feat. You need
a combination of theatrical training, academic instruction and
determination to be able to get a part. You have to go through
very rigid screenings and rehearsals that entail vocalizations,
dancing and acting. How much more being able to play a major
role in a well-acclaimed musical like Les Miserables. You have
to be really talented to be able to get into Broadway.
Many Asians, including Filipinas, are fortunate to have
fulfilled their dream of performing in Broadway. One notable
Filipina who has brought great honor to her country is none
other than Lea Salonga.

The name Lea Salonga is synonymous to internationally-acclaimed
talent as well as confident and impressive performance that
warrants a standing ovation. No other Filipina has performed
in several musicals in the east and west end and has performed
twice in a famous musical. Since playing the lead role of Kim
in the world-renowned Miss Saigon, Lea Salonga has not ceased
to perform before international audiences across the globe.
And what amazing feat she has achieved at a young age making
her fellow Filipinos very proud of her. Playing Kim alone
earned Lea several awards such as the Sir Laurence Olivier
award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical for the
1989-1990 season as well as the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer
Critics Circle Awards.

The latest buzz is that Lea will be returning to the Broadway
stage beginning March 6, 2007 via the musical Les Miserables
once again. The actress, who has settled with her family in
her home country the Philippines, said although it's hard to
leave her family behind she's going to New York for her
country's sake. This time around, Lea will be playing the
role of Fantine replacing Daphne Rubin-Vega. Fantine is a
poor woman forced to work as a prostitute to support her
daughter Cosette. How time flies, it's been already 14 years
since she peformed as street waif Eponine in the same Broadway
production in 1993. Unknown to many, Sir Cameron MacKintosh
personally invited Lea to play Eponine for the 10th anniversary
concert of Les Mis at London's Royal Albert Hall as part of
a "dream cast."

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