Interview: Ela Lisondra, Ariel Reonal Talk Life After MISS SAIGON

Manila, Philippines--West End revival of MISS SAIGON alums Ela Lisondra and Ariel Reonal are featured in the Manila production of the smash rock musical AMERICAN IDIOT by Green Day, which closes tonight at the Globe Iconic Store, Bonifacio Global City.

Ela plays Extraordinary Girl; Ariel, Joshua and The Favorite Son.

They were away from the Philippines for nearly a decade: 10 years for Ela, nine for Ariel. Prior to the West End revival of MISS SAIGON, which opened in May 2014, Ela and Ariel had their respective artistic journeys that molded them into who they are today.

Artistic Journeys

Ela, who was formerly a dance major at the University of the Philippines (UP), left the country right after a job opportunity came knocking on her door, which her dad did not approve.

Ever since she was a kid, she was fond of dancing, but her dad played as her "oppressor"; he even forced her to leave UP and enrolled her in a business school in Makati City. At that time she felt very hurt, "Pinagbigyan ko ang dad ko. But after a year I auditioned for Disneyland Hong Kong, I left the country and never came back. He was not proud at all," Ela said.

Ariel, on the other hand, started joining school programs and singing contests at the age of seven.

His love affair with the theater began in 1995. But his mom criticized his decision to choose theater over a regular job. "Why theater? Why not get a real job even if it's a service employee for a fast food chain?" said Ariel's mom.

However, both have persevered and excelled in their chosen field. Eventually, their parents have come to accept the kind of life they want for themselves.

MISS SAIGON, A Game Changer

According to Ela, MISS SAIGON has greatly changed her life as an artist. "First, it validated my talents and skills. The West End is such a dream for a lot of artists and it surely is not easy to get in."

In MISS SAIGON, she was a swing performer. She had to study everybody's track so when there was an emergency, she could fill in. It was a very good training ground for her.

"I took all the opportunity to sing, fail, 'piyok', and cried a lot, too."

"Secondly, I'm sure it will open a lot of opportunities for me; It'd be an absolute pleasure to share what I've learned in the West End to wherever it will take me next.

"Finally, my life has just been changed for good the moment I received that email saying I got the job. It's never been the same since that day and I will forever be grateful to Sir Cameron Mackintosh and the whole team of MISS SAIGON for that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Ela even surprised Ariel: "In the beginning, I thought she was only a dancer. I didn't know she could sing. I saw her perseverance. She took voice lessons every day!"

For Ariel, MISS SAIGON has made him more open-minded. He shared, "It gave me the opportunity to travel; see the places I only dreamed of visiting, and interact with other nationalities--observe their ways and cultures. I wouldn't be sitting on top of the Machu Picchu in Peru if I didn't make it to MISS SAIGON that's why I'm really thankful to the creative team for believing in me."

And the lessons along their journeys as artists are kept in their hearts.

"I consider MISS SAIGON my theater school, it being my first musical theater experience. The amount of information, skills, and experience I've learned and acquired on stage and off is invaluable," Ela said.

"Also, I learned how difficult it is for artists, especially Asians, to get a job in the West End. There aren't a lot of roles available for us and if there is an opening, there are hundreds of Asians trying to bag that one role. It taught me perseverance to keep going to auditions. Most importantly, it taught me never to take things personally and never have a moment of doubt about myself. A rejection doesn't mean I'm less talented than the other person in the room. A lot of times, it only means I don't fit the look or character the role requires."

Ariel, as someone who really pursued the kind of life he's living, said, "If you want to achieve something or anything, you work for it with all your heart. No hesitations. Even if you fail, you stand up and find ways to better yourself. I've seen this from local actors in the UK. If they're not in a show (in fact, even when they're in a show), they take acting and dance lessons. They even take other jobs to prepare for their next projects."

Back to Manila

Both admit that working on AMERICAN IDIOT is a refreshing one.

"It's been fun. Everyone is really friendly, nice, and loving. 'Barkada' and turingan namin sa isa't isa. The rock stars in the cast bring in the 'charm' to the show. We have a "give-and-take" kind of a relationship," Ela said.

She added, "Musical theater has this some kind of a demeanor, but na-iba ang atmosphere when these rock stars [Basti Artadi, Jason Fernandez, Miggy Chavez, and Norby David] came in and brought out the rockers in us."

Ariel shared, "The rock stars I'm working with right now are a bunch of cool, awesome, and talented artists. I'm happy to be reunited again with the legend Basti Artadi. I worked with him in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' years ago.

"Jason, Miggy, and Norby have shown an impressive attitude and enthusiasm in learning things that are new to them. Be it vocal, physical, or theater exercise, they seem to have been bitten by the theater bug."

Photos: Joel Garcia, Mark Bautista, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. , Kathy Rivera, Erickson Dela Cruz