Bright, new feathers in stars’ performing hats

Kim Chiu in “The Ghost Bride”

One of the A-list directors show biz stars “fight” to work with these days is Chito Roño. Thus, it’s notable to see that Roño’s latest film, “The Ghost Bride,” topbills Kim Chiu.

It’s a bright, new feather in Kim’s performing hat, because it “psychologically” places her a notch higher than her current “age group” stellar rivals.

It’s even more instructive to learn that this isn’t Kim’s first time to be mentored by Roño: She was also in “The Healing” and “Etiquette for Mistresses.”

Obviously, Roño sees “something” in Kim that he wants to encourage—and that’s great for the now-young adult star.

Now, if only Roño could convince Kim that a less thin and childish speaking voice would be much better for her maturing acting career, everything would really be hunky-dory.

Also thanking his lucky stars these days is “new” comedy star Empoy Marquez, who finally scored with “Kita Kita” some months ago.

The P64-million question now is what will he do for an encore, so his career can sustain its now- upward trajectory?

Taking a deep breath, Empoy has followed it up with two starrers, “The Barker” and “Kusina Kings.”

We hope that at least one of Empoy’s follow-up vehicles passes muster, otherwise his newly minted success could go from flash to fizz in short order.

To be sure, Empoy can console himself with all of the extra income he’s getting from the big-ticket TV endorsements he’s been tapped to make.

But, long-running success is still to be found in comedy productions on the big and small screens—so, one big hit requires another. Otherwise, people could end up dismissing a fave, new star as a one-shot sensation.

On the live performance stage, we hear that a new musical about Pilita Corrales is being whipped up—a bright brainstorm that we trust will be actualized real soon.

Now in her late 70s, Pilita is our cantilevered singing icon for all seasons and angles, and we’ve savored her performances for many decades, starting way back, when she was still a teenager accompanying herself on the guitar in a bodabil show.

We also know that Pilita’s career and personal life have both been especially colorful and “eventful,” so her life story, or even just a part of it, is really the stuff of which memorable stage musicals are made.

Before that musical-theater event, we can enjoy the one-night “tribute” concert, “An Evening with Pilita,” on Nov. 17 at The Theatre at Solaire (call 8888888).

Pilita will be joined by her children, Jackie Lou Blanco and Ramon Christopher Gutierrez, and her granddaughter, Janine Gutierrez—as well as friends Nikki Ross and Angie dela Cruz (The Wing Duo).

What a yummily nostalgic viewing and listening prospect!