Rachelle Ann gets tips from Saigon veterans

Rachelle Ann Go, who is playing Gigi in the revival of West End's production of "Miss Saigon," is getting a lot of support from Lea Salonga, Isay Alvarez, Jinky Llamanzares and Joanna Ampil, who starred in earlier versions of the hit musical.

Lea, who played Kim in the original Miss Saigon, advised Rachelle to learn the British accent.

"Napakadami niyang tips about living in London. Sabi nga niya, when it comes to singing and acting, wala raw siyang maiaadvice sa akin kasi yung director na ang bahala sa akin doon. Ang tips lang niya ay yung mga accent doon, yung kailangan kong aralin. Kasi masyadong malalim ang kanilang British accent," Rachelle said in an interview at the pictorial for her sendoff concert “Miss Rachelle.”

Two-piece jitters

If there's one thing which worries Rachelle, it is wearing a two piece for the plum role of Gigi the bar girl. She consulted her parents and even her church about it.

“Alam naman natin lahat na sexy yung role na iyon. I told my mom about it. Eh si Mama, wala naman siyang idea kung ano yung suot doon. Then si direk Bobby (Garcia of Atlantis Productions) and yung Viva. And yung church namin, 'Okay lang po ba ito?' Positive naman lahat. Nag-go naman silang lahat. Naging at peace na rin ako after hearing everyone. Of course, I prayed about it na kung para sa akin ito, magiging smooth lahat.” 

Isay Alvarez, who played Gigi for years, advised Rachelle not to fret. If getting fit is Rachelle's concern, Isay said she doesn't need abs to do so. 

"Kung kinaya ko mas kaya mo!I was a MADIR already wen I first did it n 2x a MADIR wen it ran here!IKAW pa!Enjoy but nt 2 much,” Isay tweeted Rachelle.

“Si Miss Isay Alvarez, she congratulated me on Twitter. She told me to enjoy. Si Miss Jinky Llamanzares, who played Gigi in Canada, tumawag siya sa akin,” Rachelle said.

Personal growth

Knowing Rachelle will get homesick, former Miss Saigon actress Joanna Ampil wants the Kapuso artist to try other things in London, like attending classes for personal growth.  
Rachelle plans to study business or fashion in London. 

“Baka raw magsawa ako sa gagawin ko na role. Everyday, pare-pareho yung songs. Mag-school raw ako. Kung gusto ko, dance or acting. Gusto kong business. Gusto kong ituloy, gusto ko rin ng fashion dahil designer yung brother ko. Sana magkaroon kami ng business pagbalik ko.” 

Rachelle is looking forward to experiencing new things and maturing as a person, since she’ll be on her own in London.  

She will surely miss her family, friends and work.

“That's very different from what I'll be doing in Miss Saigon. Iba yung mundo ng teatro.” 

Slater Young

The singer-actress admitted dating former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Slater Young. But she’s not in a hurry to get into a relationship because she’s leaving for London. 

“Ako kasi focused muna ako doon sa gagawin ko. 14 months rin iyon. Mahirap magsalita kasi andoon yung focus ko sa trabaho. Lagi ko naman sinasabi na kailangan focused ako doon. Kung may nagpupursue man sa akin dito, dapat maintindihan niya iyon. At makapaghintay kung sino man iyon.”

Is she expecting Slater to watch her perform in London the way her friends will?

“Basta dapat andoon siya,” Rachelle said in jest.

Rachelle’s sendoff concert will be held at Meralco Theatre on Saturday, February 22.
She flies to London in March, and will stay there for 14 months. 

Source: http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/rachelle-ann-gets-tip-from-saigon-veterans-080754465.html