Rachelle Ann Go (left) and Lea Salonga
When the latest news on Rachelle Anne Go broke online, Lea Salonga was among the first to express her congratulations on Facebook.
Rachelle Ann had just landed the plum role of Eliza Hamilton in the London production of “Hamilton,” and friends like Lea were naturally ecstatic.
Lea told the Inquirer: “[Director-friend] Bobby Garcia shared the news with me ages ago, so we’ve had to sit on this forever. I am so thrilled for her!”
It’s safe to assume that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” is one of the Tony winner’s favorite musicals. Lea recalled: “When I first heard about it, I jumped up and down like crazy. Given how big a hit that show is on Broadway and on tour, it’s very exciting.”
Lea quickly added that there’s another Filipino in the play’s London cast. “Rachelle Ann is not the only Pinoy Schuyler Sister, though. Christine Allado, who was in ‘Here Lies Love’ at the National Theatre, has been cast as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds. Lin must really love Pinoys to cast two of them in principal roles for this show.”
Playing Hamilton’s wife will give Rachelle Ann the chance to sing one of the play’s loveliest show-stoppers. Lea enthused: “‘Burn.’ God, that song!”
Rachelle Ann will also get to beat-box, said Lea.
Before joining the Founding Fathers in the West End, Rachelle Ann will reprise her role as Gigi in the restaging of “Miss Saigon” on Broadway, which begins this spring (March 2017).
According to reports, Rachelle Ann will leave “Saigon” in August to start preparing for “Hamilton,” which will premiere at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London, on Nov. 21. —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.