Filipina Chanteuse Set to Captivate Cebuanos in Musical Concert

Filipina chanteuse Irene Alano is set to captivate the Cebuano audience bringing in the collective acts of London’s famous West End, in the benefit concert musical slated in Cebu on August 2 and 3 at SM Theatre One and Radisson Blu Hotel, respectively.

Having come from a very musically-inclined family, Irene developed her interest in singing when she was five, during which time she had started joining several singing competitions in school. While in college, she realized that her calling was actually on stage. Irene’s musical theatre career then began back in 1995 when she was selected, out of thousands who auditioned, to play the role of Gigi in the West End Production of Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. Soon after, she decided to audition for other shows and was blessed to have performed other roles in shows like Jesus Christ Superstar UK tour as Mary Magdalene, and The King & I at the London Palladium & UK tour, playing Lady Thiang and Tuptim. Last year, after taking a break to concentrate on being a full time mom to her now 10-year old son Louis, she returned to the West End and joined the cast of Avenue Q at the Gielgud and Wyndham Theatres where she had an opportunity to play the role of Christmas Eve. This is where she learned a little bit about the art of puppetry.

Irene’s films and documentary credits include “Jesus Christ Superstar” as ensemble, and as a native American woman in “Have You Ever Wondered About Food,” a BBC series. She did a workshop, “Zorro the Musical,” where she played the role of Toypurnia at the Leicester Square Theatre.

She did commercials, too, such as Nintendo Wii and Honda Civic and recorded “The King and I” with the original London cast. Irene performed in concerts, likewise namely “The Music of Alain Boublil”,  “Claude Michel Schonberg, Philippines/Expressions – One Woman Show” and “West End Cares”, all in London. Recently last May, she launched her Broadway and Praises CD Album in Chicago. She also did several cabaret shows in the West End and around the UK, most of them were to help Charities, one being, West End Cares, in support of those who suffer from AIDS.

Having done musicaltheatre for the past 16 years, Irene has realized her love for TV/film too. She played the role of Mai Ling, in the comedy movie “I Want Candy” which starred Hollywood actress, Carmen Electra and directed by Wayne’s World’s Stephen Surjik. Not only that, she also played a small part opposite of one of the Philippines’ finest actresses, Pilar Pilapil in the independent film, “Leona Calderon” directed by Jowee Morel. From a small child, recording her own songs in the comfort of her own home to a full blown actress, Irene is set to keep striving to improve her craft for as long as she can.

Irene Alano will surely captivate the Cebuano audience in the upcoming concert. Dubbed as West End, A Benefit Concert”, the event is for the befit of the Dream Project of the Juanito I. King Foundation, Inc.,  a non-stock, non-profit organization accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The concert’s aims is to provide endowment for the treatment of children with special needs. Investments from sponsors will be used to organize and promote the event. In addition, a percentage will be directed to finance the much needed therapies administered by Buildabilities, Inc., a multi-disciplinary therapy center in Cebu City. The concert will comprise a 12-piece orchestra with music ensemble by the University of Southern Philippines Foundation.

Concert Schedule are:Aug 2: SM Theatre 1: Matinee 2pm / Gala 8pm and Aug 3: Radisson Blu: Dinner Gala / 6pm to 10pm. Ticket Prices are: Aug 2 Matinee: P 600 (First Level) / P 300 (Second Level) Aug 2 Gala: P 1,200 (First Level) / P 600 (Second Level). For ticket inquiries, please contact 415-8330 loc. 802 and look for Mercy or call/text 0917-7222284. You may also check Facebook Fan Page: OSTARA EVENT PRODUCTIONS

Major Sponsors: Convergys, Radisson Blu Hotel, SMART Telecommunications

Supporting Sponsors: Citibank, VECO, Alcordo Advertising, Sunstar, Y101, McDonald’s, Mooon Cafe, Lantaw, Thirsty, Darras Bowler, Gelatissimo, Cafe Laguna, U-Kitchen, MESA Filipino Moderne, La Mesa Grill, SM Cinema, SM Department Store, USPF, Print Specifix, Red Tag, Matias Foodhaus, Jun Escario, Dino Lloren, Ronald Enrico, Jesie Glova, JC Inocian, Fastball Sportsventure, Fastballs Foodventure, St. James Water.