“Delia D” is an electrifying musical about chasing dreams, starring Phi Palmos as a drag performer who competes in the biggest singing competition.
As it is heralded, “Delia D“ is a dazzling musical about chasing dreams and finding your voice — literally! At its heart is Delia , played by the breakout star, Gawad Buhay Best Featured Actor Phi Palmos, a fierce and fabulous drag performer who enters the world’s biggest singing competition, “Idols of the Galaxy.”
With show-stopping vocal performances, amazing choreography, and a mix of comedy, romance and drama, along with electrifying music by hitmaker Jonathan Manalo, “Delia D” is an unforgettable ride through the highs and lows of ambition, friendship and the power of an unstoppable passion.
Jonathan Manalo’s dynamic score, combined with Vince Lim’s incredible arrangement, infuses the show with energy and emotion, weaving pop anthems and stirring ballads into Delia’s journey of self-discovery
We asked Phi Palmos at what point they are now in the production.
“We just finished our very first sitzprobe and heard the songs with the full orchestra, and now, we are entering the theater for the first time! Exciting times ahead!” he told us.
Award-winning actor and theater director Topper Fabregas recently praised Delia D., saying, “The show is everything you want to feel when you come to the theater: joy, joy, and more joy.” He also highlighted the talented cast, calling them “triple threats” and noting, “Cast pa lang, busog ka na.” Fabregas singled out Phi Palmos, stating, “Phi doesn’t just carry the show… he straps it on like a jet pack on his sexy shoulders and launches us into Musical Theater Heaven.” He concluded, “Go catch it when it opens on April 25, I will be seeing you at the theater! I wanna watch again and again.”
Philippine musical theater princess Gab Pangilinan also shared her excitement, particularly for Phi Palmos, exclaiming, “Phi Palmos!!!!!!! GRABE KA NA. YOU. ARE. DELIA D. I am SO PROUD of you.” She praised the production’s casting, calling it “so perfect,” and added, “What. A. FUN. Show. Tawa iyak lahat na ang sakit ng panga ko.” She also expressed her admiration for the team, saying, “Vince Lim, SO PROUD TO UUUUU!!! Shaira Avelino Opsimar you are magic.” Pangilinan concluded, “If you want to come to the theater for a GREAT time — my god, go see DELIA D. Matutuwa, matatawa, maiiyak, at mapapapalakpak ka nalang talaga sa galak. Can’t wait to catch it when it opens on APRIL 25!”
What does Phi have to say about these advance praises from theater stalwarts? “Grateful. I’m so incredibly grateful for all their kind words and encouragement. We’ve been rehearsing for months na kami-kami lang that’s why it is so refreshing to hear other people’s perspective and feel a different energy in the rehearsal hall. More than anything, listening to them saying that the show is working and that it’s beautiful ay talaga namang nakakawala ng pagod and just further push us to make it more alive and dynamic come opening night. These are friends who will tell us if something is not working and are there to really take everything in. Kaya ang sarap to see them kasi di na rin kami masyado nagkikita-kita kasi halos lahat kami busy sa kanya-kanya naming rehearsals at ganap.”
So are they ready for Opening Night?
“I believe we are. Sir Dex (Santos) staged everything so quickly and beautifully. We’ve been doing run-throughs and fine-tuning everything. We’re very excited!”
What else do Phi have to work on? “My stamina. I thought the preparation I’m doing is enough but it’s not so I have to push myself more. But of course, safely. And the company has been so supportive and really takes good care of me and everyone.”
What then makes this production work? Phi enthusiastically says, “It is the people. From our staff to the artistic team, and to the actors. Delia is about following your dreams so it meant support and cheering people and building each other up and that’s what everybody is doing for each other during the entire process of building the show. That kind of energy translates in every rehearsals and run throughs and for me, that’s the reason the show will work.”
What are the major challenges that they hurdled (or are still hurdling) in doing Delia D?
“I think it’s letting myself be lost in all of this. Though nagagawa ko naman siya but I still caught myself sometimes not being in the moment and trying to control something. There’s still a part of me who is in disbelief and still in fear. And I should be able to overcome it. Let go and fully embrace it. Oh di ba? Alam ko naman ang dapat gawin! Easier said than done talaga. But the good thing is, I feel like I’m still connected to my humanity even if I’m playing Delia. And I think that’s very important,” Phi reveals.
As Delia D, Phi hopes to underscore that all of us are dreamers. It doesn’t necessary mean that that dream is for ourselves, but we continue to dream. And that we will do everything for the people we love, those who believe in us, and those who love us. Delia is such a strong Filipino character because she reflects so much of our sensibility as a nation: the love for singing, showbusiness, talent searches and reality competition, performances, our growing love for drag culture and finally how we love our families and how we obsess with our dreams sometimes to a fault.
Delia is all of us. She just happens to be gay and a Drag Queen. But everyone who dreams can definitely relate to Delia.
With this, Phi invites everyone to experience Delia D’s story, “If you are a person who loves to sing, or likes to listen to people singing; if you like to see the inner workings of reality shows, if you want to feel kilig and be hopeful, if you have dreams, or just because you are a Filipino fascinated and just enjoys singing contests, “Delia D” – a musical featuring the songs of Jonathan Manalo is for you! We are running from April 25 – June 8 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater! Kita-kita sa tanghalan!”
