One of Philippines’ pride and joy, Joanna Ampil was recently in Sydney as she joined the stellar international cast for the show “Defying Gravity” at the Sydney’s Theatre Royal last February 12, 2016.
Joanna Ampil with composer, Stephen Schwartz
(Photo courtesy of GR Rodis.)
The musical was a fabulous tribute to American composer, Stephen Schwartz, best known for his musicals, Godspell, Wicked, Pocahontas, and Hunchback of Notre Dame and whose music and lyrics have touched many hearts around the world. The cast included Sutton Foster, Aaron, Tveit, Helen Dallimore, David Harris (who played Chris in Miss Saigon) and Betty Buckley.
Joanna Ampil is internationally acclaimed for her role as Kim in Miss Saigon. She was barely out of her teens when she clinched the role of Kim and followed Lea Salonga at the London’s West end production from 1993 to 1995. Producer Cameron Mackintosh then moved her to Sydney for the Australian production from 1995-1996. She then returned to London to re-claim the role in 2000.
Through all the in between years, Joanna has remained under the glare of the limelight on stage performing in London, Europe and the USA in theatre musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables, Rent, West Side Story, Sound of Music and Cats. She has recently released her latest album and starred in the movie “Larawan”, an adaptation of the Nick Joaquin’s play, “A Portrait of an Artist.” She was also recently paired off with MiG Ayesa in the play “Bridges of Madison County.”
She stepped on stage in a stunning couture gown and belted song after song with ease, garnering a thundering applause from the Australian audience. She still the same as she was sweet, as petite as ever, and as forever young as when she was introduced to the world. Over dinner with friends, she was candid and as charming, fiddling with her iphone to check on her song repertoire for the show.
Ever deserving Ampil is the recipient of Aliw Awards for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in “Sound of Music”, the special Aliw Award for her contribution to Philippine entertainment., and a Filipino Global Award for bringing pride to the Philippines. She was also nominated for Australia’s Mo Awards for her role as Kim in Miss Saigon.
For Joanna Ampil , the lights never dimmed, and she has undoubtedly defied gravity.
