With so many exciting attractions these days, it’s a very good time to be a theater fan.
Among the shows currently packing them in is Atlantis Theatrical’s “Kinky Boots” now on its last weekend at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza in Makati City.
The show has drawn rave reviews largely due to the gender-bending performance of singer Nyoy Volante as Lola. Other cast members, however, have also been enjoying their fair share of notices.
There’s Lawrence Mossman as Charlie, who operates a financially struggling shoe factory he inherited from his late father. There’s Yanah Laurel as Lauren and Jamie Wilson as Don, two workers who help Charlie in keeping the factory afloat.
And then there’s also Tricia Canilao, in her first musical production in Manila in 10 years, who plays Nicola, Charlie’s girlfriend, who has no interest in seeing the factory succeed and instead wants to close it and turn it into a condominium.
“I guess Nicola is the least liked among the ‘Kinky Boots’ characters. She’s ambitious and just wants to take Charlie away,” the seasoned musical theater actress told InterAksyon in a recent interview.
Asked why she agreed to be cast in a role that is not likely to endear her to audiences, Tricia pointed to the fact that Nicola’s character can be “super empowering as a woman.”
For Tricia, Nicola’s character, who ultimately breaks up with Charlie when things do not go her way, represents women who don’t need a guy to get to their ambitions. “You can be anything you want to be,” she quipped.
Tricia herself knows a thing or two about becoming anything one wants to be. Hailing from a family of lawyers, she was on her way to becoming one herself when she auditioned for a production that would alter her life and career path in a big way.
That production was the acclaimed musical “Miss Saigon” and what Tricia thought would be a one-year gig extended to three years. And when she returned to Manila to finish her studies, “Miss Saigon” was then staged in Manila followed by runs in Hong Kong, Singapore and a U.K. tour where Tricia was also cast. Throughout her stints on the show, Tricia played Kim, Gigi and Ellen.
“In one of the productions, Chris was played by Luke Evans. I was very excited,” Tricia recalled.
Tricia, who had been cast in Atlantis’ production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” prior to “Miss Saigon,” went on to perform in “Les Miserables” and the musical revue “The Golden Mickeys” during her time in Hong Kong Disneyland. She went on to live in Hong Kong where she later founded her own events and entertainment outfit.
Upon her return to Manila, she immediately got offers to return to theater but took her time to find the right project until Bobby Garcia of Atlantis asked her to audition for “Kinky Boots.”
“The show was not even on my radar but I love working with Bobby. I’ve done some work with other theater companies but it’s really Atlantis that I feel most at home with.”
Doing “Kinky Boots” has been such a wonderful experience for Tricia.
“Bobby is such a good director. He gives me the freedom to get into the role and encourages me to do my take on Nicola. The cast and crew, including and especially Nyoy, is also great to be around with. Everyone just wants everyone to flourish,” she exclaimed.
Tricia is also very pleased to be part of a show that “teaches people how to accept who they are and hope everyone else around would be just as accepting.”
Now that “Kinky Boots” is wrapping up its run, will we see Tricia Canilao in more musicals in the months to come?
“I hope so. I love doing musical theater. It’s a place where you leave a part of your soul in each role,” she concluded.
Directed by Bobby Garcia and presented by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group together with Metrobank Card Corporation, “Kinky Boots” concludes its run this Sunday, July 23, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City.
For ticket information, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.