"PAPA, Can You Hear Me?"
Posted on 05/05/2005 10:28:23 AM PDT by Rodney King
WHEN true artists look back on their careers, they inevitably do so with a sense of romanticism: the journey is usually long and every moment is worth relishing.
In celebration of her 25 years in theater, Monique Wilson recently starred in a concert that reflected on her own journey, which began in 1980 when she was 9, with Repertory Philippines.
The little girl Monique dreamed, believed and persevered. On Saturday evening, she narrated the years that came between those days of dreaming and her present reality.
The night of musical remembrances began with "When You Wish Upon A Star" (from "Pinocchio") and "If You Believe" (from "The Wiz"), rendered by Monique and 9-year-old nightingale Julia Abueva.
Monique recalled how theater stalwart Zeneida "Bibot" Amador molded her, honing her talent between performances and production work.
She thanked her mentor by singing "Pie Jesu" (from "Requiem"), visibly holding back tears -- a touching performance.
"The Phantom of the Opera" medley she was most engaging, singing with her friend Cocoy Laurel. It was a moment of theatrical triumph.
Monique then complimented Lea Salonga with stories of the latter's kindness and generosity during the mounting of Cameron Mackintosh's "Miss Saigon" (1989-1991).
But it was in the tribute to her father, the late Johnny Wilson-"Papa, Can You Hear Me," from "Yentl"-that tears came running down Monique's cheeks. For her mother, she sang "Mama" by Il Divo.
With members of her New Voice (theater) Company, Monique sang songs from the musicals they have previously staged-"Chess," "Falsettos," "A Chorus Line" and "Cabaret." Particularly impressive were Lynn Sherman and Jake Macapagal.
(New Voice, established in 1994, embarked on such daring projects as Tony Kushner's "Angels in America: Perestroika" in 1995 and Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" in 2000. In 1996, Monique received a Parangal ng Bayan Award for arts and culture. In 1998, she was a Towns (The Outstanding Women of the Nation) awardee for theater arts. Again in 2000, she was honored with an Outstanding Citizen of Manila Award for theater arts.)
"Monique -- 25 Years in Theatre" ended with the celebrator's rendition of "When You Believe" (from "Prince of Egypt") and the encore number, "You Raised Me Up,"
Conceived and directed by Monique, the concert was admirable for its sustained mood, enhanced enormously by Martin Esteva's lighting design.
But what made the show really come through was Monique's sincerity and artistic integrity. Everything came from the heart, rendering her at once gracious, intense and luminous.
Wow! Monique must have quite the trophy room! And deservedly so! I'll have to catch a performance if she's ever in St. Louis! If I can wait that long!
This is just so totally boring--but not too weird.
"PAPA, Can You Hear Me?"
That would require an effort on my part ;-)
A girlscout is always prepared.
that really is a doozy
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