Lea Salonga honored to be in picture book of Broadway stars

Lea Salonga on her inclusion in the book: “To be listed along these women I consider legends is such an honor!!!”  Image: Instagram/@juansarte

Lea Salonga is among the Broadway divas featured in a children’s book that pays homage to theater actresses. “A Is for Audra: Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z” is written by John Robert Allman and illustrated by Peter Emmerich.

The picture book starts with Audra McDonald, a six-time Tony Award winner who starred in the 2017 film “Beauty and the Beast.” Film and stage actress Angela Lansbury, the late Carol Channing (“Hello, Dolly!”) and Patti Lupone (“Evita”) are some of the legends in the alphabetical list, Broadway.com reported on Friday, July 26.

“A is for Audra: Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z”. Image: Doubleday

Salonga expressed excitement about being one of the actresses selected for the book that could be enjoyed by kids and theater fans alike. “To be listed along these women I consider legends is such an honor!!!” she tweeted on Saturday, July 7.

Yay!!!!!!!! To be listed along these women I consider legends is such an honor!!! https://t.co/FDap5PAQzq

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) July 26, 2019

The acclaimed actress began her international theater career at age 18 in the lead role of Kim in “Miss Saigon.” She has since continued to break barriers for Asian actresses with the Broadway production of “Les Miserables” and being cast as the singing voice of lead Disney characters in “Aladdin” and “Mulan.”

The book, which costs $32.99 (P1,680), will be released on November 12. Part of the proceeds will benefit the non-profit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.  Niña V. Guno /ra

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