Theater stars from London’s West End, Australia, and the Philippines are all coming together to bring to life the iconic musicals of Tony Award-winning duo Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schí¶nberg on stage. “Do You Hear The People Sing?” concert returns on August 2 and 3 to the award-winning Newport Performing Arts Theater. Before they take the stage, these artists offer a preview of what audiences can expect.
The internationally acclaimed production is top-billed by Abigail Adriano and Nigel Huckle, who played lead roles in the most recent international tour of “Miss Saigon”; West End star Bradley Jaden famed for his portrayal as Javert in “Les Misérables”; and Australian-American soprano Amy Manford, known for her performance of Christine Daaé in “The Phantom of the Opera.”
One particular highlight of the upcoming show is the premiere of a new Boublil and Schí¶nberg song titled “Someday,” to be performed by Filipino-Australian actor Abigail Adriano. “It definitely is a historic feeling, at least for me, to be able to debut a Boublil and Schí¶nberg piece – even better in the Motherland,” she shared.
Adriano’s enthusiasm extends to the concert’s entire cast, which boasts of a strong contingent of Philippine’s own stage stars. “Knowing that we make up a majority of performers for this special show, it makes my heart beam with pride. It’s experiences like this that genuinely nourish me; not only do I get to perform my favorite songs, I get to fulfill my continuous journey of embracing my roots and reconnecting with my heritage.”
Meanwhile, Nigel Huckle, known by Filipino theatergoers for both “Miss Saigon” 2024 and “Les Misérables” 2016 performances, eagerly anticipates returning to the country. “I will never forget the first time I heard the audience erupt in cheers after the first notes of the ‘Prologue’ would play during ‘Les Misérables.’ That audience reaction makes coming back to the Philippines such an electric experience.”
This time, Huckle hopes fans will “leave these shows not only affected by the epic sound of Claude-Michel’s and Alain’s music, but also fulfilled by the shared experience of sitting in the same hall as cast, crew, and orchestra in the goal of improving people’s lives through live performance.”
Bradley Jaden also remembers the Philippines for its passionate theatre fans during his stint in the Manila production of “Wicked” in 2017. Jaden is particularly keen to inspire the next generation of Filipino talent with his renditions of Boublil and Schí¶nberg’s classics. “I hope that we do them justice and enable budding young performers to continue to keep these incredible shoes alive.”
Amy Manford, still captivated by the Sydney Opera House edition of “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” is determined to recreate the live concert experience for Filipino audiences.
“This new version has been customized specifically for our brilliant Manila cast and I am so excited for audiences to be wowed by dazzling lighting, sound, and new songs that have never been heard before.”
Ten years since gracing the 2014 concert, Philippine theater luminary Carla Guevara Laforteza, is honored to be invited back to perform. Previously, she sang a duet with Broadway superstars Lea Salonga and David Harris. For this concert, she revealed, “I’ll be singing two new songs, including one sang by Rachelle Ann Go during the 2014 concert. I will try my best to give it my own take.”
These star soloists, under the baton of conductor Gerard Salonga, will celebrate the works of Boublil & Schí¶nberg and include not only hits from “Les Misérables” and “Miss Saigon” but also Martin Guerre, “The Pirate Queen” and their very first musical together, “La Révolution Franí§aise.” The Philippine leg of “Do You Hear The People Sing?” is organized by Newport World Resorts and producer Enda Markey, in partnership with Metrobank VISA.
For inquiries, contact James Edward Rodriguez at 0917 829 2173, Paulo San Jose at 0917 810 5031, Raf Sangco at 0917 807 9387, JhayR dela Cruz at 0917 818 9847, and Vincent Miles Jiwatramani at 0917 150 3511.
