October 26, 2009 | Yvonne Lim Wilson
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Like most of the world, I first became aware of Filipina singer Lea Salonga when she was chosen to play the original lead role in Miss Saigon in 1989. I was only 13 at the time, but it was memorable to me because here was an Asian performing in a major Broadway role!
Salonga has won numerous awards, including the Tony award, for her work as a singer and actress. She was the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway in 1993, performed as Mei Li in the 2002 revival of Flower Drum Song and is the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and Fa Mulan for Mulan and Mulan II.
Right now Salonga is traveling the country on her “Inspired” tour and will be performing in Austin at the Paramount Theater on Nov. 7. Salonga took some time to chat with Asian Austin last week while she was out in Los Angeles.
AA: How do you feel about being the first Asian to perform as a lead in Les Misérables? Was it just another job for you, or did you feel a sense of the history you were making?
LS: It wasn’t just another job. I know what it feels to feel to be rejected, [and beyond that] to not be allowed to audition because I wasn’t the right racial type. When I preformed in the Philippines, it didn’t matter what race you were as long as you had the chops and could do it. When I was the only Asian chick to be in Les Mis, it was: yes, she can sing and play the part. When I went back to Les Mis to perform again [for the 10th anniversary show], it was completely different. The cast was all over the place [in terms of race] and I wasn’t the only person of color.
AA: That is really encouraging! Have you noticed any changes in diversity in the music and theater industry?
LS: To cast in a diverse way is the way things are going in this country. Soon the minority will be the majority. It only stands to reason that what is on TV should reflect what is going on in real life. To have the first African American in the office of President is amazing. He is incredibly intelligent, with two beautiful kids and a beautiful, wife, who else could be more qualified to run the country?
AA: Yes, President Obama is such a strong symbol for minorities to realize they can achieve what they strive for.
LS: Nobody has an excuse that “I’m Asian, I can’t do this or I’m black, I can’t do this.” You work hard, study and don’t make excuses for yourself. A lot of people can easily take the road and say, “because of this and because of that,” and not really look at themselves to see what they need to change.
AA: How would you describe the current scene of music and theater in terms of diversity?
LS: It’s a lot more diverse compared to 20 years ago. There are so many televisions shows where I see Asian actors that I can’t watch them all. Carrie Ann Inaba on “Dancing with the Stars,” “Glee,” Harold and Kumar, FlashForward. There’s more visibility. It really is a reflection of what society looks like.
AA: Do you see room for improvement in any areas? Is there anything you would like to see more of?
LS: There should be more. More of a balance. Asians have come a long way. Not everybody is white or black in this country; it’s very mixed. People have to focus on what they have in common. They have come to this country to make their dreams come true, whether from Europe or Asia or Africa.
AA: Would you say your Filipino heritage plays a role in your music?
LS: I guess it does. I always enjoy singing Filipino music in my concerts when I’m performing in the Philippines. It’s one of the most beautiful languages to sing in: long, rounded vowels. Tagalog is a very romantic language – it’s like singing in
Italian versus German. On my album “Songs from Home” every single song is a Filipino song – some are sung in English and some in Tagalog.
AA: Tell me about your current concert tour and what you’re doing now.
LS: We’re more than half done. I have a few shows left, then I will head back to the
Philippines. I will do a concert in the Philippines based completely on requests that my fans have written in. Then it will be Christmas with my family.
AA: Is your daughter here with you? Did she travel with you?
LS: No, she’s in Manila. She was supposed to come to LA, but she was sick.
AA: What does your daughter (who is 3) think about seeing mommy singing on TV? Does she have a favorite song of yours?
LS: For her it’s just mommy singing. It’s not as huge of a deal for her maybe because we live together. My mother sees a similarity to how I would manifest my
performance ability – she’s starting to see it in my daughter. I don’t want to
heap expectation on her because she is so young. I don’t want her to feel, oh mommy
does this and I have to do this. I want her to enjoy being free. None of my songs are her favorites. She loves Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp. She can step back and be objective.
AA: Is there a song right now that you are especially excited about performing?
LS: Just about everything. I chose everything that was connected to me or has something I wanted to say. There is one song called “Everybody says Don’t.” It’s about don’t be afraid to make your dreams come true. It’s really inspirational because there are dreams people are afraid to do because everybody tells them things like don’t fight City Hall. For example, right now there is a big debate on gay marriage. I work in musical theater, which is pretty much dominated by gay men. I have family who are gay and lesbian. Why shouldn’t they have a fight to marry and spend the rest of their lives with someone they love. It’s something I truly believe. Right now a lot of people are saying it can’t happen, but push enough and it will.
AA: I think that is so wonderful that your songs are not only beautiful, but also carry a message. What’s next for you?
LS: After the tour, in February I’ll be doing a reading of a musical called “Allegiance” in New York. It’s about the Japanese internment camp. It’s a musical in development and it may open in 2012. It will be controversial and you definitely see a point of in the show. I am married to a man who is half Japanese. He’s had relatives who served in WWII. It will be interesting to see the reactions. And it’s great I get to return to Broadway!
AA: Anything else you'd like to say?
LS: Come to my concert on November 7!
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1 comment
Is this thing on? Yes!