Fred Lo comes into his own in ‘DOM’

LO. His combination of good looks and talent has served him well.

Thanks to Spotlight Artist Centre’s new musical, “Dirty Old Musical (DOM),” for introducing us to some exceptional talents, who should make their stellar mark as early as next year. They are paced by Fred Lo, who has been tapped to play the plum supporting role of Ima Castro’s son in the new musical.

Fred has been a theater actor since 2009, and his combination of looks and talent has served him well in his fledgling career. He played Mark in 9Works Theatrical’s “Rent,” Rolf in “The Sound of Music” and the Prince in “Cinderella” (both for Resorts World Manila).

Other standout appearances were in “Sa Wakas,” a rock musical featuring the music of Sugarfree, and in “Manhid,” where his portrayal was nominated for a Gawad Buhay award.

First musical production

Some years ago, Fred was tapped by director Robert Seña to join the cast of Spotlight’s first musical production, the revival staging of “Magsimula Ka,” where he was assigned the supporting role of Mario.

Thus, when Spotlight decided to come up with “DOM,” it was logical for Robert and Isay Alvarez Seña to think of Fred for the show’s plum, young-adult role of Frankie.

They sensed that it was a potentially star-making role, a showcase that Fred deserved—and, they were right.

In the attention-calling part, Fred comes into his own as a musical-theater “total performer,” singing, dancing and acting with verve and conviction. And, let’s “face” it, his good looks serve him well in his stellar progression in these parts, where “face value” is a decided plus.

Aside from his stage work, Fred has also been busy on TV, on shows like “Iskul Bukol,” “Sunday Funday” and “Hi-5 Philippines” on TV5.

VICENCIO, CENINA AND PANGILINAN. When will they step out of the ensemble?

Good showing

We’ve previously noted his good showing on “Hi-5,” but have yet to single him out on “Sunday Pinasaya.”

When will that show realize that they have a potential star in their ensemble? Another “Magsimula Ka” grad, Jerold Napoles, has attained costar status on “Pinasaya” and other GMA 7 shows. When will Fred belatedly follow suit? Just (impatiently) asking.

In any case, as “DOM” continues to be performed at Music Museum, Fred is sure to be noticed by more people—so, if his career is handled right, stardom for him is a matter of when, not if.

While we’re at it, let’s also give other promising newbies in “DOM” a shoutout, because they could eventually step out of the ensemble and get “starbound” themselves:

Irra Cenina has been a member of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers and sang the lead for the group’s single, “Let Me Love You Tonight.” Shalee Vicencio has appeared in musicals like “Alice in Wonderland,” “Seussical the Musical” and “American Idiot.” And Gabriela Pangilinan was in “Rak of Aegis,” “Once On This Island” and “3 Stars and A Sun.”