"Are you ready for your Broadway debut?"
This was the question asked by no less than Tony Award winner Lea Salonga to Vina Morales to relay that she will be part of the stage musical, Here Lies Love.
Read: Vina Morales, gaganap bilang ina ni Ninoy Aquino sa Broadway musical na 'Here Lies Love'
Vina, at the time, just came back to Manila after doing a series of shows in Australia when she was informed by phone.
"I was actually in bed, tapos kagigising ko lang, they were like waiting for me to wake up kasi nga kararating ko lang nun from Australia," recalled Vina.
"So I was tired and then they gave me the good news, talagang, 'Ha, gising ba ako?' Antok-antok pa ako."
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) caught up with Vina on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, in Binangonan, Rizal, while on the set of the upcoming movie, Sunny, under Viva Films.
Vina recalled thinking "really, tanggap ako? I'm accepted?" while Lea was talking on the other end of the line.
She continued, "And you know, I was teary-eyed. Of course, tears of joy.
"I was really just so thankful for this blessing.
"Overwhelmed ako sa pag-welcome sa akin, for the warm welcome ng buong Here Lies Love family.
"I'm just so thankful to God na parang sometimes, di ba, magtatanong ka bakit ganun? But you know, God has His perfect time, so God's perfect time, dun ako naniniwala."
A ROLE MEANT FOR VINA
Based on the concept album of musicians David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, Here Lies Love follows the rise (and excesses) of Imelda Marcos and her husband, former Philippine President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and their ouster through a peaceful revolution.
The play is set inside a nightclub, fitting its musical scoring described as "disco pop."
Here Lies Love was seen on stage several times, including in 2013 in New York City, 2014 in London, and 2017 in Seattle.
Its 2023 run started with a few preview shows in June before officially opening on July 20 at the prestigious Broadway Theater in New York City.
Lea portrayed the character of Aurora Aquino — the mother of slain opposition leader and staunch Marcos critic Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. — with Vina taking over the role starting September 22, 2023.
Lea will next be seen with Bernadette Peters in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at London’s Gielgud Theatre starting September 16, thus explaining her departure from Here Lies Love.
Interestingly, Vina auditioned for the role of Aurora Aquino in the same musical a decade ago. She failed to bag the part, however.
Fast forward to today and Vina is gearing up to step on the Broadway stage, bright lights and all, for the first time in her career.
She smiled, "It's an answered prayer after so many years.
"I always believe in God's timing. Kung talagang para sa yo, talagang mapupunta sa yo yan. So I'm just thankful that this is a dream come true."
Vina continued, "Kasi, when I entered theater, yung ginawa ko yung Sherrie na role sa Rock of Ages [in 2012] of Atlantis Productions, one of my dreams, is, part of my dream is to be on Broadway.
"So it's an answered prayer now. It's another check on my bucket list kaya I'm really excited and looking forward to performing for everyone on Broadway."
Read: Vina Morales learns to be more disciplined while preparing for Rock of Ages
PREPARING FOR THE PERFORMANCE
Appearing in a play like Here Lies Love entails great preparation for Vina to perform at her best on stage.
But before that, Vina will be staging a solo concert in Hawaii and the States with balladeer David Pomeranz ("Got to Believe in Magic," "King and Queen of Hearts") on September 9 in San Jose, California, and on September 16 in Anaheim, also in California.
"After that, of course, siyempre yung mindset ko focus talaga ako sa Here Lies Love," remarked Vina.
"Starting now I'm already preparing myself and kasi eight shows kami in one week so we will be working Tuesday until Sunday, so it's gonna be a hectic schedule.
"But I am ready for it and I'm looking forward to performing with all our kababayans who will be working on Here Lies Love on Broadway."
NO COMPARISON WITH LEA SALONGA
With Vina taking over the role from Lea, there's the possibility that skeptics might compare the performance of both stars.
Vina downplayed the thought, saying that Lea was very encouraging from the get-go.
In fact, it was Lea who asked Vina to audition for the part and, as mentioned earlier, was the one who personally delivered the news to Vina that she clinched the role.
"I am thankful to my coach, Lea Salonga. Kasi siya mismo nakatutok sa akin and she was very supportive and she was so kind to really guide me along the way hanggang na-accept ako na Aurora Aquino," said Vina.
"Of course, depende yun sa tao, but I don't think naman mangyayari yun [being compared to Lea] and we're both professional," she stressed.
"I'm just gonna do my best. I promise to give my best in every show."
Competition is far from Vina's mind, and her only focus is to give a great performance to repay the trust given by the people behind the production of the stage musical.
Lea is co-producing Here Lies Love alongside comedian Jo Koy, singer H.E.R., and Apl.de.Ap from the Black Eyed Peas.
"Para sa akin, I'm not competing with anyone," stressed Vina.
"Sa tagal ko na sa showbiz, hindi ko ugali yun and never in mind [have I thought about competing with other people]."
Vina further said, "I always compete sa sarili ko because I want to improve all the time and with Coach Lea, siya nga yung coach ko, di ba? So I have the best coach."