Gian Magdangal left local showbiz to pursue a career as a performer abroad three years ago.
The singer, actor, “Philippine Idol” finalist and former Kapuso star is back, but not through a telenovela or variety show. He returns to Philippine theater via Globe Live and 9Works Theatrical’s forthcoming production of Disney’s Tony Award winning musical, “Newsies.”
Gian, whose past theater credits include “West Side Story,” “Footloose” and “The Little Mermaid,” leads the “Newsies” cast as Jack Kelley, the gang leader who rallies the newsboys into standing up against publishing capitalists.
The play is based on the 1992 musical film of the same title, which in turn was inspired by a historic event—the newsboy’s strike of 1899.
In an interview with InterAksyon during the “Newsies” press launch, the now 35-year-old actor shared his sentiments regarding his comeback role.
“It’s extra special because coming from working in Disneyland and Hong Kong—and actually after Hong Kong I worked for Universal—my intention of coming back here, nagkataon it’s Disney, with the same brand. I have a soft spot for Disney. It just fell in place, just when I had the intention of going back. So parang it came at a good time.
“Another layer of that is that it’s a good role. Jack Kelley. It’s a challenge because it’s a young role. That alone gives me a challenge, really because to be honest, I am no longer in that age group. I’m not a teen anymore. So I have to revisit that, and it’s good for me to be in shape. At the same time, working with a new young group and performing again with 9 Works Theatrical. It’s like re-living again my roots of how I started out as a performer and my love for theater,” he said.
Gian worked for two years in Hong Kong Disneyland performing as Captain Li Shang and Aladdin’s Genie in the “Golden Mickeys” and “Mickey and the Wondrous Book” shows, and another year in Universal Studios Osaka as a special events performer before deciding to return to the Philippines.
Gian says that he can relate to his role as Jack Kelley. He explains, “Jack Kelley is a New York newsie boy who aspires to go to Santa Fe. Somehow I can relate that to the real-life Gian in the sense that I’m also still searching for that place where I belong.
“I just got home. I’m seeing if I can still have a good life here, if there’s still green pasture here. Is there Santa Fe here, or do I have to go abroad again to make a living?”
He also admitted that he left the country to work overseas for practical reasons. He was the epitome of a struggling artist, and could barely make enough to support himself and his son with ex-girlfriend and former Viva Hotbabe Sheree.
Gian was fortunate enough to snag opportunities abroad, but confessed that his stint as an overseas Filipino worker was a difficult period for him.
“Ang hirap kasi ng buhay OFW eh. Hindi para sa lahat, lalong-lalo na pag nagpe-perform ka. Pag nagpe-perform ka, yung inspiration mo mismo yung pamilya mo eh. Eh ako, yung pamilya. So yung malayo ako sa pamilya na performer, nahirapan ako dun kaya ako umuwi.”
He is however, more than pleased with this grand opportunity to return to theater and to see his 9-year-old son, who, according to Gian, is ecstatic to see him as well.
“I left when he was five or six. I’d just been seeing him in rare instances or Facetime lang. This time I wanted it to be a priority to come home for family. Yun talaga yung main reason ko eh kung bakit ako umuwi, nagkataon lang na may rare opportunity na ganitong dumating.”
More than anything, Gian is grateful for the seemingly serendipitous turn of events and the opportunity to work here again.
“I’m very happy to be back,” he said.
Globe Live and 9 Works Theatrical’s production of Disney’s “Newsies” is directed by Robbie Guevara, together with PJ Rebullida as choreographer and Franz Imperial as assistant director. It will be staged t the Globe Iconic Store Bonifacio High Street Ampitheater in Bonifacio Global City on July 7-9, 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30 at 8:00 p.m. Visit go.globe.com.ph/newsies or contact Ticketworld at 891-9999 for tickets.
