THE KING AND I - Cast Profile

Resorts World Manila (RWM) is offering its third theatre production this 15th September with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King And I. The mega-musical shall be staged at the majestic halls of the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) within RWM’s Newport Mall. Here are the profiles of actors in the production:

KING

Leo Tavarro Valdez A Three-time Aliw Awardee for Best Male Performer who has received numerous awards from various award-giving bodies in the Philippines, Leo Tavarro-Valdez is one of the most regarded theatre performers in the country, having played the coveted role of "The Engineer" in the 1997 Miss Saigon in London; "Jean Valjean", the chief protagonist in the 1993 local adaptation of Les Miserables; and other principal roles in local musical extravaganzas such as Rama Hari, Tales of the Manuvu, Hindi Kita Malilimot, Dahil Sa Iyo Gomburza, Ewagan, and Sarungbangi. His other credits include television shows and concert tours all over the Philippines, Asia, Australia and America.

Bo Cerrudo With his 25 years of experience in the local music industry, Premiere Classical Balladeer, Bo Cerrudo will alternate for the majestic role of King Mongkut of Siam. His musical credits include Flower Drum Song, West Side Story, Rama Hari and the Manila run of Miss Saigon, to name a few. His series, “Cerrudo: Classico” is the longest-running concert series of its kind, having staged over 100 shows since its inception in 2005. He was recently awarded as “Best Male Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges and Bars” in the 2011 Aliw Awards.

ANNA LEONOWENS

Monique Wilson was chosen to play the lead role of Kim in the original London production of Miss Saigon when she was 18 but began her theatre love affair as early as age 3, after seeing a performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank”. To pursue her dream of completing her drama training, she went to London and studied classical acting at the London Academy of Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). From 1994 to the present, Monique has given critically-acclaimed performances for her leading roles in Oleanna, Angels in America, Chess the Musical, Top Girls, My Sister In This House, Classical Monique, The Vagina Monologues, Cabaret, Aspects of Love, and The Good Body, among many others. Her most recent theatre performance was her star turn as Maria in Repertory Philippines’ The Sound of Music.

Shiela Valderrama Veteran Theater actress, Shiela Valderrama alternates the role of Anna. Shiela made her professional stage debut at age 15 in Repertory Philippines Children's Theater 46th season staging of Cinderella and Aladdin. She was also the first Asian to play Nala in the Festival of the Lion King at the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005. She was also part of the Asian Tour of Broadway Asia's Cinderella in 2008. Most recently, Shiela portrayed Elsa Schraeder in Resorts World Manila’s The Sound of Music.

LADY THIANG

Experienced International Theater actress Gina Respall joined the original cast of the UK production of The King and I, and was able to play the role of Lady Thiang for several times. In 1998, she joined Miss Saigon London and understudied the parts of Kim and Gigi and in 2009, Gina was picked for a BBC Talentboost scholarship, where she worked with Rikki Beadle-Blair, an award winning film director and script writer on a short film entitled Seven Dials produced by Diane Shorthouse Productions.

Apple Chiu Fresh from her role as one of the singing nuns in The Sound of Music, Apple Chiu will portray the role of the most faithful and enduring wife of the King, Lady Thiang. She’s an interior designer by profession and known for being one of the 12 Finalists of Philippine Idol in 2006. Recently, Apple released her self-titled album, Apple Chiu, under Polyeast Records. 

TUPTIM

Tanya Manalang At the age of 8, Tanya made her professional theater debut in Trumpets’ 1997 original production of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe as Lucy Pevensie. Some of her theatre experiences include First Name, Blue Revue, Kaos, In the Heights, and The Sound of Music where she played the role of Liesl. This time, she will portray the challenging role of Tuptim.

Marian Santiago is a professionally trained performer who will alternate the role of Tuptim. She is a soloist for events for Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and Bernie Pasamba Music Consultancy and a vocal coach for Marie Eugenie Theater of The Assumption (METTA). She has also been part of UST Conservatory of Music’s Die Fledermaus Operetta and of various UST Music Education Productions’ Broadway Musicals: Excerpts from South Pacific, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Les Miserables.

LUN THA 

Lorenz Martinez The character of Lun Tha, a Burmese scholar who harbors forbidden love for Tuptim, will be brought to life by this Repertory Philippines protégé.  In 1996, he played the role of “The Engineer” in Miss Saigon Netherlands. He has also been part in Resorts World Manila’s The Sound of Music as Herr Zeller and has been seen in numerous theatre productions under Repertory Philippines, Atlantis Production, and 9works Theatrical, among others.

Floyd Tena Professional singer, performing artist and commercial model, Floyd will take the theater stage as he portrays the role of Lun Tha. His previous theatre experiences include the centennial presentation of Teatro Dignos with the role of Andres Bonifacio and De La Salle University’s restaging of A Fire in the Soul as Bro. He is currently part of the country’s premiere vocal trio, Primo, a regular performer at Resorts World Manila.

THE KING AND I EXTENDED CAST

CAPTAIN ORTON Richard Cunanan

EDWARD RAMSEY Arnel Carreon

KING’S WIVES Meliza Reyes

Barbie Rodriguez

Mary Ann Corsame

Daffodil Abear

Arya Hererra

Luani Sablan

Aretha Angcao

Ileana Syliangco

KRALAHOME Raymund Concepcion

PRINCE CHULALONGKORN Anton Posadas

LOUIS LEONOWENS James Ketcher

PRINCESS YING YAOWALAK Kristina Alexandra Rodriguez

CHILDREN OF KING Jose Luis Mari Yapjoco

Alexa Marquez Villaroel

Stepanie Ginger Karganilla

Albert Daniel Silos

Nicole Beatrice Tan

Patricia Nicole Salimbangon

Camille Anika Santos

Carlos Dala I 

Julia Joan Chua

Juan Miguel Urquico

Juan Carlos Urquico

Annika Allado

Joaquin Ignacio Samonte

Audrey Sy

THE ROYAL DANCERS Philippine Ballet Theatre

ORCHESTRA Manila Philharmonic Orchestra

PHRA ALACK/INTERPRETER Zac Esteban

GSM/GUARDS/SLAVES.MONKS Nelson Acerado

Camelo Richard Panopio

Julmari Alimudin

Conrado Reli 

Danilo Oros Jr.

Rico Banzon

Paolo Rodriguez

Fernando del Rosario

NANNY Sarah Marie Facuri

AMAZON Aireen Antonio

Tickets are now on sale at the Resorts World Manila Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets. For more information on The King and I schedules visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (632) 836-6333.