Image: Facebook/@MsLeaSalonga
Tony Award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga has had her fair share of bigwig visitors ever since the musical “Once on This Island” debuted last December in New York City, and saw Salonga’s return as Broadway’s darling.
The show’s been only three months in the running and yet big names in the entertainment industry have already gathered to come and see the musical, and for good reason.
On March 7, Salonga took to Twitter to express her gratitude towards Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman and comedian David Alan Grier for dropping by to watch “Once on This Island”.
“We had @davidalangrier and @RealHughJackman on the island today!!! Thank you both for visiting us, gents!!!” wrote Salonga in ecstasy.
Image: Twitter/@MsLeaSalonga
Jackman is famous for his versatile roles as an actor, not only as the “X-Men” favorite Wolverine but also for playing Jean Valjean in the musical drama film “Les Miserables”, and as P.T. Barnum in the latest Hollywood musical film, “The Greatest Showman”. Grier, on the other hand, built his name as one of the sparkling funnymen in the 1990s sketch comedy television show “In Living Color”.
But while a selfie is every Salonga and Jackman fans’ definitive dream, it seems the two may not have been able to snap a picture together after the show. Jackman, nevertheless, took to his official Facebook account on March 8 to share a picture of the musical being featured on Playbill, calling the entire experience, “Life affirming and a complete joy!!!”
Jackman called “Once on This Island” life-affirming and a complete joy. Image: Facebook/Hugh Jackman
Salonga plays as one of the gods “Erzulie”, the deity of love, in “Once on This Island”. Image: Facebook/@MsLeaSalonga
Apart from Jackman and Grier, however, even Olympic bronze medalist figure skater Jeremy Abbott couldn’t resist but pay the great actress a visit, as he, too, watched the musical last February and even brought a friend with him.
“Y’all, @onceislandbway is one of the most unbelievable shows I’ve ever seen!” wrote Abbott last month. “The set design is GENUIS, costumes are CRAZY, and the talent in this show is disgusting! There is not one actor in that sand who doesn’t steal the show!!! Thank you so much @msleasalonga for having us today!”
L-R: Abbott, Salonga and Abbott’s companion. Image: Instagram/@msleasalonga
Salonga, on the other hand, felt humbled and thanked Abbott on his post for coming to see the show. “My pleasure!!! Thank YOU for taking the time to come visit the island!” JB
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