FILIPINO Stage Actor Jake Macapagal Plays the Romantic Lead in VICTOR/VICTORIA

Jake Macapagal, who is currently playing the role of Narrator/El Gallo in Repertory Philippines’ production of “The Fantasticks,” will open as the debonair King Marchan in the Asian Premiere of the Broadway classic “Victor/Victoria” at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore from November 9 to 29, 2009.

Macapagal plays opposite Dutch singer and international jazz sensation Laura Fygi as Victor/Victoria.

“Victor/Victoria” the 1982 musical comedy film was a remake of “Victor und Viktoria” penned by German screenplay writer Hans Hoemburg and directed by Reinhold Schunzel in 1933.  The film starred Julie Andrews as Victor/Victoria, James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren, Alex Karras, and John Rhys-Davies.

It was later adapted in 1995 as a Broadway musical, also starring Julie Andrews. Acclaimed composers Henry Mancini and Frank Wildhorn wrote the music with book by Blake Edwards and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.

In this Asian Premiere of “Victor/Victoria,” produced by the Zebra Crossing Productions, Cultural Medallion recipient Iskandar Ismail conducts a 25-piece orchestra playing live with Macapagal and Fygi and for the audiences each night.

Macapagal recently played lead roles in Manila’s major productions of Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” as Bernardo and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s  “Aspects of Love” as Alex. He was also featured in numerous local productions of Broadway musicals “Once On This Island,” “Les Miserables,” “My Fair Lady,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Cabaret,” “Falsettos,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and “Cats.”

Macapagal has also done his fair share of international productions, which included “Miss Saigon” (Germany and UK), “Rent,” “Elegies for Angels,” “Punks and Raging Queens” and “Nagraland.”

“Victor/Victoria” is his fourth major production in Singapore.

“Singapore has a very vibrant art scene! I’m looking forward to be playing King Marchan, the leading man of Laura Fygi, and performing at the Esplanade with an international cast,” said Macapagal during an interview with BWW in Manila.

Other members of the cast include British actor Matt Grey who plays the capricious Carroll Todd, Claude Girardi as bodyguard Squash Bernstein, Shane Mardjuki as Henri Labisse and Australian actress Nicole Stinton as King Marchan’s peroxide-blonde, spitfire girlfriend Norma Cassidy. Singapore’s very own fashion icon, Daniel Boey makes a special appearance as Andre Cassell, the owner of the fancy Paris Nightclub.

With production design headed by Tan Ju Meng, lights by Mac Chan, costumes by Laichan and Moe Kasim, hair design by Ashley Lim and make up by MAC creative artist Beno Lim, “Victor/Victoria” in Singapore unites the biggest and brightest talents from around the world and is the theatrical event of the year!

This Asian Premiere of “Victor/Victoria” is directed by Loretta Chen and produced by Felina Khong.

For more information, visit www.victorvictoria.com.sg.