Busy year for Fil-Am in Broadway, Hollywood
Fil-Am actress T.V. Carpio (second from left) and the rest of the “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” cast led by (from right) Patrick Page, Jennifer Damiano and Reeve Carney earn a thunderous applause during curtain call. videograb
LOS ANGELES—It has been quite a year for Filipino-American actress T.V. Carpio. She sang with Bono in a top-rated American network newsmagazine show, acted opposite Bradley Cooper in the blockbuster movie “Limitless” and survived the challenges that plagued the stage musical “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” including suffering from a whiplash when a fellow cast member fell on her.
The daughter of Filipina singer Teresa Carpio revealed in this interview a priceless moment she shared with Bono, who wrote the music and lyrics to “Spider-Man…” with his band-mate, The Edge. The U2 frontman put in a good word for her in the Huffington Post, which she could add to her career highlights: “T.V. lights up any room she’s in. When the going got tough in ‘Turn Off the Dark,’ she did, too, without ever sacrificing her tenderness toward the people around her, or indeed her vocal tones, which are so tremulous and true.”
The performer with the unusual name (T.V. stands for her full name, Teresa Victoria) is one of the exciting Fil-Am talents set to dazzle the audience in “PhilDev Celebrates Broadway: Suites by Sondheim,” a one-night only gala on November 7 directed by Victor Lirio at the Alice Tully Hall in New York’s Lincoln Center.
T.V., who continues to impress audiences as Arachne in “Spider-Man…” at the Foxwoods Theatre, told us that she jumped at the chance to be part of the PhilDev concert to raise funds for various worthy projects in the Philippines (ticket details at www.lincolncenter.org).
When I interviewed Bradley Cooper for “Limitless,” he said very nice things about working with you. What was your own experience like working with Bradley… and of filming that sex scene in such a tight space?
Bradley was the ultimate professional. He is a very generous actor and present in the moment—every take was different so it was very fun not knowing what to expect. As for filming “that scene,” ha ha—um, I love my job?
Bradley also said he wants to see you in “Spider-Man…” Has he seen the show?
Bradley is very much in demand these days. I don’t think he has come to see our show yet.
What’s the most interesting thing about working with Bono and The Edge? And someday, when you are reminiscing with your kids and grandkids, what memories will you share about working with these two rock legends?
From what I can see, Bono and The Edge have a very symbiotic relationship. There is a natural ebb and flow to the way they work that is very organic and nurturing. They are very encouraging as they bring out what I or any of the actors have to offer, rather than slathering on their opinion of who we are. They coax it out of you. As for sharing memories with future kids? I can thank the Internet for having footage to prove it! There is a clip from “60 Minutes” of me singing with Bono. I went home and cried after! Very surreal!
To this day, “Across the Universe” remains a favorite film for many. What are your best memories of doing that movie?
Making that movie was a magical wonderland ride down the rabbit hole. Working with Julie Taymor means getting your creative juices squeezed out of every pore of your being. It was an adventure and a gift. And the cast was amazing. We had a lot of fun running around Manhattan on our off time, getting into all kinds of shenanigans. All innocent and fun, though!
Julie Taymor cast you in that film and then in “Spider-Man…” In what ways did she inspire and challenge you?
Julie makes fearless choices. That is not to say she is without fear. She just chooses not to allow her fears to dominate and control her creative and life choices. I find that inspiring as an artist and as a human being. In life, we can spend so much time worrying about how what we wear, say or do will affect others’ opinions of us. She does not allow those things to dictate the choices she makes. She goes where others are afraid to go and does it like no one else can. You instantly recognize what we called on the set of “Across the Universe” as “Taymorisms.” They are unmistakably Julie.
What made you decide to join the PhilDev gala show on Nov. 7?
I believe that, ultimately, you share your talent to get to a better place and then be able to give back more. So, when I was asked to join the gala show, I jumped!
The show honors Stephen Sondheim. Can you recall the first time you heard a Sondheim song? What impact did it make on you?
Probably the first Sondheim songs I remember hearing were from “West Side Story.” I loved them so much, that in Kindergarten 2, I changed my name to Maria. My mom came to my class and with my teacher announced to class that I will now be addressed as Maria! I was 4 or 5 years old.
I still remember watching your mom for the first time on a noontime TV show in the Philippines. I even remember that she sang “Have You Ever Been Mellow.” Are you familiar with that song? Did you tag along as a kid when she performed?
Of course, I know that song! I always tagged along with her to her shows although I don’t remember going with her to the show in Manila. We went to many other places together, though. My mother is my first idol. Listening to her was knowing I was home and safe. I adored my mom and idolized her so much when I was young that I never thought of becoming a singer. I thought I better find something else to call my own, because who could sing next to her?
You were born in Oklahoma but raised in Hong Kong. How often do you visit the Philippines? Do you still have family there?
I try to go back once a year to both Hong Kong and the Philippines. And yes, I still have family there!
What Filipino values did your mom teach you? Or what do you appreciate about your Filipino heritage?
Besides loving home-cooked Filipino meals, of course, music is the biggest part of my family’s Filipino heritage. My great grandfather was a classical violinist; my lolo, a jazz drummer; and my mother, of course, a singer. All four of my mother’s siblings played instruments together when she had “The Teresa Carpio Show.” I was surrounded by music. My mother started working at the age of 11. She taught me to have a very strict work ethic but, most of all, to do it all from my heart. Filipinos have heart. That is undeniable!
What has “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” taught you as a person and as a performer?
It has taught me to never get too complacent or comfortable. Never assume one thing or another and that nothing in life is guaranteed. Change is usually not comfortable but I want to be ready for it, go with it, accept it!
After your “Spider-Man…” run, what will you do next?
I have no plans but I am eyeing a vacation in the Philippines—Palawan or Pagudpud, anyone?
What are your dreams and goals as a singer and actress?
Ultimately, I’d like to do projects that are different from my last one. I always need a challenge. I want to consistently grow as an artist and a person. Otherwise, what’s the point?
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