After introducing lead stars Krystal Brimner, Isabeli Araneta Elizalde, and Michael De Mesa for its upcoming family musical Annie this September, the country’s premier entertainment and tourism destination Resorts World Manila (RWM) revealed the second leads who make up the musical’s orphans cast.
At a press conference at Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) in RWM recently, the orphans cast were presented to the media comprised of talented girls aged nine and up, with some familiar faces who have had their own breaks in the entertainment scene prior to Annie.
Each orphan character will be played by two girls for the duration of Annie.’s run at the NPAT. Playing Annie’s best friend Molly are Maria Francesca Rojas and The Voice Kids Season 2 contestant Precious Lainey Galvez; Chrysse Jilliane Jover and Maria Ericka Peralejo take on the role of the shy orphan Kate; Shanti Leialoha Gleason from RWM’s production of The Sound of Music in 2011 and Gwyneth Jearei Dorado, a finalist in Asia’s Got Talent Season 1 will play the role of the quiet July; Alba Berenguer-Testa and Natalia Victoria Escaño will be the crybaby orphan Tessie; Cydel Virie Gabutero who currently registered 8.6 million views for her YouTube video cover of Celine Dion’s “The Power of Love” and The Voice Kids Season 2 Battles stage contestant Atascha Chloe Mercado got the part of the bossy orphan Pepper; while Stephanie Ginger Karganilla who has played lead roles in such musicals as Seussical: The Musical, A Christmas Story, and The Secret Garden among others, together with Sofia Jade Wong alternates for the role of the oldest orphan Duffy.
The 12 young girls who will play the orphans in Annie were selected during a rigorous audition process that entailed both live and online screenings in April.
“It’s exciting. Everything has finally come together,” expressed Annie director Michael Williams. “It all began with the auditions. We needed to look at what those characters represent and who they are. The auditions were about the technical aspects of being able to perform– actors who have the craft to perform in theater. Now that we have that, it’s now about making them an ensemble that works together,” Williams added as the cast go into rehearsals before the opening in September.
Joining Krystal, Isabeli, Michael, and the orphans cast are an all-star assembly of seasoned thespians that include First Lady of Philippine Musical Theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as the miserable Miss Hannigan, Jill Peña as the loyal secretary Grace Farrell, Mako Alonso and Red Concepcion who will both be playing the role of the conniving Red, Jill Peña as the petty-thief Lily St. Regis, and James Paolelli as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
ANNIE opens on Sept.30 at NPAT.
Tickets are now available at the RWM Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets with early buyers getting 25 percent discounts on SVIP and VIP tickets until July 22.
Visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (632) 908-8833 for more details on ANNIE.
