Disney 'princess' to entertain in Hammond
Mich
Disney 'princess' to entertain in Hammond
ELOISE MARIE VALADEZ - eloise....@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365 |
Posted: Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:00 am
Area residents may not immediately recognize Lea Salonga's name but
Disney fans will know her voice.
Salonga, who brings her show to The Venue at Hammond's Horseshoe
Casino on Sept. 26, is the woman behind the singing voice of animated
characters Princess Jasmine and Mulan.
She'll entertain audiences with gems such as "A Whole New World" and
"Reflection" from the Disney movies "Aladdin" and "Mulan" as well as
Broadway tunes and other standards.
"Singing was something I always enjoyed," said Salonga, during a
telephone interview from her home in the Philippines.
Salonga first burst onto the international musical stage in 1989 when
she starred as Kim in "Miss Saigon" on Broadway.
The Filipino actress/singer was originally encouraged in her
theatrical ventures by a family member when she was a child.
"One of my cousins was an actress in a local repertory company and she
told my mom that they were having auditions for 'The King and I',"
Salonga said.
"I was six when I auditioned and that got me started in musical
theater."
She went on to star in a variety of classics such as "Fiddler on the
Roof," "The Sound of Music," "The Fantasticks," and other shows with
Repertory Philippines. Salonga also won accolades for her portrayal of
Eponine in Broadway's "Les Miserables."
The singer said bringing the Disney characters to life in song was a
once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"Working on Jasmine was only two months of my life but it was just
awesome. I loved singing with a 75-piece orchestra and getting to work
with (composer) Alan Menken."
Salonga, who is the mother of 3-year-old Nicole, said her daughter is
fascinated by her portrayal of the beloved characters but isn't
confused by it.
"She always knows it's mommy's voice. She gets it and can pretty much
identify my voice now," Salonga said.
Getting the opportunity to play Broadway was an honor and privilege
for Salonga.
"Broadway is such a historical place and Broadway theater is truly an
American art form. Nobody does musical theater better than America
does," she said.
When Salonga chooses music to listen to at home, she said the
selections vary.
"I listen to rock, hard rock, jazz, musical theater, classical -- not
just any one genre," she said.
If she's feeling a bit feisty or anxious, she'll turn on songs by Foo
Fighters.
"If I want something quiet, give me Beethoven or Bach."
Salonga said she's looking forward to entertaining Chicagoland fans.
"I hope they have a good time and that they get a better sense of who
I am."
Lea Salonga, 9 p.m. Sept. 26
WHERE: The Venue at Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond
COST: $95, $60, $40
FYI: (219) 473-6060