Like Lea Salonga, when we hear the name of Monique Wilson, it conjures up the hit musical Miss Saigon. However, while Lea continued to conquer Broadway and The Voice Kids after her movies with Aga Muhlach, Monique went on a mission to empower women and end sexual violence via One Billion Rising. Her last major theater work, apart from being involved in the yearly stagings of The Vagina Monologues onstage and offstage, was The King and I back in 2012. Her much awaited comeback is now happening via Tanghalang Pilipino’s Mabining Mandirigma: A Steampunk Musical, where she will play the titular character of the adult Apolinario Mabini.
Previously, Delphine Buencamino and Liesl Batucan essayed the titular role. Changes to this installment include changes in the songs like a fliptop rap number, more gender fluidity when it comes to casting, and having a new musical director in the person of Ejay Yacto.
“Unang-unang Noli, nandun ako,” recalled Monique regarding her CCP days. She said it was her first Filipino musical and she was able to tour Japan with another theater veteran, Audie Gemora, because of it. Prior to that, she did English plays with Repertory Philippines. She has been based in London for many years now together with her wife, Rosanna Abueva. “Pabalik-balik din to do shows, to do political work. I taught at East 15 Acting School. Ako yung nag-head ng Master’s Degree nila for International Actors. Five years ko ginawa yun. Before that, nagturo rin ako sa Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. So, nung tinapos ko na yon, I also traveled so much, kasi yung work ko sa One Billion Rising Global Director. Kailangan kong magbiyahe. 200 countries kasi yung kasama sa One Billion Rising. So, I go to Africa..to...everywhere...all around the world talaga,” she answered when asked what has been keeping her busy.
This Gawad Buhay Outstanding Musical will still be helmed by CCP Artistic Director Chris Millado as the opening production of Tanghalang Pilipino’s 33rd Season aptly named Pakikidigma. “Mahirap po talaga, pati yung pag-iisip no? Iba siya. Buti nalang sa mahabang panahon na 25 years, when I last did a Tanghalang Pilipino show, nakagawa na rin ako ng mga ibang mga palabas tulad ng Vagina Monologues in Filipino. At miyembro din ako ng Gabriela, kung saan dinadala nila ako sa mga Lumad communities at sa mga relocation sites. Siguro yung trabaho ko as an activist ang nagbigay sa akin din ng malaking confidence at inspirasyon na gumawa ng ganito kabigat at kalalim at ka-challenging na musical,” explained Monique regarding her motivation for doing a FIlipino musical again.
Mabining Mandirigma, a Steampunk Musical, runs at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) from August 16 until September 1, 2019. For ticket reservations, group sales, and special performances please contact Tanghalang Pilipino: 0999 884 821, 0915 607 2275, or (02) 832 1125, local 1621.
Tickets are also available at the CCP Box Office, Ticket2mw, Bliimo, and all TicketWorld outlets. For more information, visit the TP Facebook page at http://facebook.com/tanghalangpilipino or e-mail tanghalangpilipinomarketing@gmail.com.
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