Lea Salonga 'Backstory' 12/02/2009
Mich
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20091202-239793/How-to-sing-Cats-hit-song-Memoryno-seriously
BACKSTORY
Backstory : How to sing ‘Cats’ hit song ‘Memory’–no, seriously
By Lea Salonga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: December 02, 2009
MANILA, Philippines—As many of you may already know, starting July 24,
2010, I shall be donning the torn and ratty coat of Grizabella in
“Cats.” This will be the actual official production arriving at the
CCP Main Theater, and I am very excited!
My first encounter with “Cats” came with hearing Elaine Paige (the
original Grizabella) sing “Memory” on the radio. I had no idea what
the musical was about, but the song even then was haunting and
beautiful.
In the early 1980s, I was in London to perform in a travel convention.
We tried to get tickets to “Cats,” but it was all sold out (we ended
up watching “Evita” instead).
I finally saw the elusive musical in 1988, while in London for the
final assessments of “Miss Saigon.” Ria Jones played Grizabella that
evening, and she was just incredible.
That was the only time I ever saw the show … I was enthralled by the
dancing (and thrilled seeing all these different “cats” everywhere in
the theater, either sitting in the aisles or perched on the junkyard
set).
The show itself has no linear story line, unlike many of its other
musical contemporaries. The musical, with music by Andrew Lloyd-
Webber, is based on T.S. Eliot’s book of poetry, “Old Possum’s Book of
Practical Cats.” Additional lyrics were written by Richard Stilgoe
(“Memory” is part of this additional material).
The Manila production had a press launch last Nov. 25, hosted by
Lunchbox Theatricals and the Really Useful Group.
Griz 1-Lea 0
For that launch, I was asked to sing “Memory,” which I had never sung
before. Ever. I probably sang it in the bathroom once in a while, but
never at a gig, never at a concert. The prospect of doing so for
members of the press was intimidating. Thankfully, we would have two
days of rehearsals.
Fiz Shapur, resident musical supervisor for “Cats” was around to make
sure I would be okay. We met on a Monday afternoon at the Steps Dance
Studio. After exchanging stories about many mutual friends, it was
time to work.
Memory, turn your face to the moonlight …
I don’t think I had gotten further than that first line when I was
stopped: I was singing it too pretty. It was then that I was nicely
reminded: We’re back to musical theater … time to fight the pretty in
a pretty song … and with a song as pretty as this one, it isn’t easy.
I started taking notes … all over my sheet music were pencilled in:
“simple,” “intense,” “steely,” “focused” … as well as music dynamics
for where it should start to build and grow before I pull back again.
Touch me, it’s so easy to leave me …
When I got to this part, I flaked. All I saw was a D flat … then an E
flat … notes that I’m not used to hitting on a regular basis … notes
that I thought I put away after “Miss Saigon” and “Les Miz.” Oh dear …
time to take them out of my trunk.
As the afternoon progressed, I tried going for the notes. A swing … a
miss … another try … and though I got closer, it wasn’t near what it
needed to be, which, ideally, should be a raw cry (in the context of
the show).
This meant that a little vocal homework was in order. Rats.
I hopped in the shower when I got home, and warmed up. I started to
sing “Memory,” trying to recall everything what Fiz and I had
rehearsed. Since I was all alone, I ramped up to the big note and …
TOUUUUUUUUUUCH MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE … IT’S SO EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASY TO
LEEEEEEEEEEAVE MEEEEEEEEEEEE … ALL ALOOOOOOOONE WITH THE MEMMMM’RY …
OF MY DAYS IN THE SUUUUUUN …
There. My triumph turned to annoyance as a helper suddenly opened the
bathroom door and I was jolted back to reality. Argggggh. I ramped up
again … and at that precise moment, the door opened again. I gave up
and called it a night.
All tied
Fiz called another rehearsal the next day, just to lock in my lyrics
and recall our notes from the day before. As I had other commitments
on that day, our session lasted less than an hour. That’s all we
needed anyway.
In truth I felt much more confident, and I think I did all right at
the launch the next morning. Still, that’s not where I want to be for
the actual run. Not yet. I pray that I get there by the time July 24
rolls around.
“Cats” opens at the CCP Main Theater on July 24, 2010. For tickets,
contact Ticketworld at 8919999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph.
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