Filipino World-Class Musical Artists Francisco, Williams and Escalante Top CCP Performers

(PNA) – Remember Sheila Francisco and Bituin Escalante who were contemporaries of Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo in the late 1980s and 1990s?

They are big stars in the theater and stage as well as in the movies both here and abroad.

They are also accomplished singers, actors and performers who have also turned out best-selling albums and screen appearances to merit being featured in “Triple Threats: Leading men and Women of Philippine Musical Theater.”

“Triple Threat” is someone in a particular field who exhibits the three skills — excellence in acting, singing, and dancing.

The topnotch performing artists will be joined by Repertory veteran actor Michael Williams from Aug. 21 to Oct. 9 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) at 7:30 p.m.

This event comes after the successful series run in 2013 that featured Nonie Buencamino, Audie Gemora and Lauchengco-Yulo.

The “Triple Threats: Leading Men and Women of Philippine Musical Theater” is a series of solo concerts featuring the finest stalwarts where each concert is an intimate evening of beautiful music, personally selected by the artists themselves, from their vast repertoire of favorite songs from Broadway, West End, original Filipino musicals and the movies.

Dubbed as a series of “concept concerts,” the narrative of the performance is dictated by the song choices.

It is a rare opportunity for the audience to see a different facet of the acclaimed theater, television and film artist being featured.

Acclaimed stage actress Francisco opens the series on Aug. 21 with her first solo concert entitled “Once in a Lifetime.”

She was handpicked by no less than Sir Trevor Nunn to play Bloody Mary in the Royal National Theatre’s production of “South Pacific” in 2002, according to a CCP Review.

Francisco is the first Filipino to perform in the prestigious Olivier Theatre in London to rave reviews. After five years, Francisco reprised her role as Bloody Mary in UK Productions’ “South Pacific” (UK tour).

In the last four years, she starred in Singapore’s most successful musicals: “Forbidden City – Portrait of an Empress,” “Twist of Fate” and “Snow Queen.”

Francisco has performed in Japan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Malaysia and Brunei. Back in Manila, she did Mother Abbess in “Sound of Music,” Dolores in “Rivalry” and the wacky Flora in “No Way to Treat a Lady.”

In 2013, she played the role of The Queen in Resorts World’s production of “Cinderella.” She also starred in Repertory Philippines’ production of “August: Osage County” under the direction of Chris Millado.

The second part of the series features on Sept. 10 Michael Williams, a 10-year veteran of the Repertory Philippines Production.

Williams started in the chorus of “Woman of the Year” in 1984, then played a supporting role in “The French Have A Word For It.”

Since then, he has played lead roles in such productions as “La Cage Aux Folles,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “Broadway Bound,” and “Yankee Pankee ‘98.”

In 1989, Williams landed a part in “Miss Saigon,” playing the role of Lun Tha in the London revival of “The King and I.”

He performed in the Repertory Production of “Les Miserables,” where he alternated between the roles of Javert and Marius, as well as in other theater productions including “Zorba,” “Moose Murders,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Gigi,” “I Hate Hamlet,” “The Lion Winter,” “Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” “Fool’s Mandrogola,” “A Doll’s House,” “Florante at Laura,” and “Once on This Island.”

Recently, he was cast in one of the lead roles in Resorts World’s production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”

Capping the series on Oct. 9 is “Everything in Bituin” with singer-actress Bituin Escalante.

She first gained popularity during the 2000 Metropop Song Festival with her interpretation of the song “Paano Na” written by Arnold Reyes, making the song the festival’s second prize winner.

Having wowed the audience in her first singing appearance, Escalante rose to diva stardom and secured her spot as one of the Philippines’ best female vocals during the 2002 Himig Handog Music Love Song Festival with her interpretation of “Kung Ako na Lang Sana,” the champion song.

She has also shared the stage with world-renowned artists Spiral Staircase, Jim Brickman, David Benoit and the legendary Michel Legrand.

As a theater artist, she has performed in “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Columbia), “Seussical” (Sour Kangaroo), “Death and The Maiden” (Paulina Salas Escobar), “ThreePenny Opera” (Jenny Diver ), “Once On This Island” (Asaka), “RENT” (Seasons of Love Soloist, Joanne Jefferson, Mimi Marquez) and “Dream Girls” Effie White) to name a few.

Escalante just finished the theatrical run of Resorts World’s production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”

Tickets to the three CCP concerts are now on sale at P2,500 and P2,000. Individual concert tickets are P1,000 and P800. Discounts applied only for the P2,000 subscription and P800 individual tickets, 20 percent for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), military and government officials. (PNA) SCS/LOR