Lea Salonga shares her views on the Asian-ization of the popular fairy tale Cinderella as it makes its way to Shanghai.

Are you the first Asian Cinderella? I believe I am. However, being that I was playing for Filipino audiences before, they saw me as Filipino. It didn't really occur to anybody that I was the first of anything. I don't know how it's going to play out [in Shanghai], so I'm looking forward to seeing what feedback I get. Do you think Asian audiences will respond differently to the show than Western audiences? Most of the Filipino audiences [we played for] were English-speaking and very familiar with the American style of humor, so we didn't have any problems landing the punchlines. [I think] Manila [reflects] how other English speakers will receive the show. I'm interested to see how things go in Hong Kong which is more British than American. Is the version of Cinderella you're performing in Asia different from previous versions? I've been told that Rogers & Hammerstein are hoping this will be the script for future musical productions of Cinderella. We're actually the first to get our hands on this version and the first to test it in front of an audience. Would you say you're a Western girl with Asian roots? I guess I'd describe myself the way I describe the man I married: somebody with a very Western-style upbringing but who has very Asian values. You've won quite a number of awards for the role of Kim in Miss Saigon. How did you get the part? I actually have to ask the same question! All I know is that there were a couple hundred Filipinos who tried out for the part. The composer said he watched a Filipino movie and that Filipino songs sounded like Italian opera. I think he had the [Asian-looking / Western sensibility] concept in mind. I auditioned in the early afternoon and sang two songs and kept on getting call-backs. They brought me to London for the final assessment and I finally got in. And now it's on to fairytales. Any Cinderella moments in your own life? I think you could compare my life to a Cinderella story. I'm a girl from a third world country who was plucked out of relative obscurity and taken to London to play the lead of this incredibly wonderful show. Among all the characters you've played, which is your favorite? Kim would be the obvious answer. But I wouldn't say it's my favorite because it's too special. I'd choose Fantine from Les Misérables. Kim was the hardest vocally but emotionally, Fantine was most challenging. She only has 25 minutes on stage in a three-hour show but has to be very intense, honest and truthful in a very short time. It's like driving a race car!

Tracy You

DETAILS

When: Oct. 17 & 20, 7:30pm; Oct. 18, 19 & 21, 2pm & 7:30pm
Where: Majestic Theatre
Tel: 962388
Cost: ￥180-1,080