Manila, Philippines, January 7, 2012 – London-based musical theater actress Joanna Ampil (Miss Saigon, Avenue Q), who’s been playing the coveted role of postulant Maria Rainer (with Cris Villonco as alternate actress) in Resorts World Manila’s local production of Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers’ beloved musical The Sound of Music (SOM) for over three months now, would need to postpone her planned visit to New York City this winter because Resorts World has just announced SOM’s extended performances till February 12, 2012.
Resorts World held a press conference on January 5, which unveiled its new hit musical’s additional performances and Ampil’s new co-stars: Ariel Rivera (1896, Rama at Sita) plays Captain von Trapp (Audie Gemora and Jon Joven as alternate actors); Leo Martinez (Equus) plays Max Detweiler (Miguel Faustmann and Robbie Guevara as alternate actors); Sheila Valderrama (Wedding Singer, Sweet Charity) plays Baroness Elsa Schraeder; and Fred Lo (Rent, N.O.A.H.) plays Rolf (Marvin Ong as alternate actor). Furthermore, Resorts World has released its new promo video, which shows Ampil as Maria: wearing her postulant’s habit while singing out solfege syllables at a recording studio.
SOM is Ampil’s second major musical project in Manila; the first one was West Side Story, where she played the young, love-struck Maria opposite international recording artist Christian Bautista’s Tony. Prior to her local assignments, she had starred in the London productions of Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables, Hair, Rent, and Avenue Q. She also recorded the vocals of Kim in the complete symphonic recording of Miss Saigon in 1995, and the vocals of Mary Magdalene in a cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1997.
Ampil co-starred with Adam Pascal (Rent, Aida) in a musical concert titled The Real Love produced by Supreme Master Television last year; Ampil plans a mini-reunion with Pascal, who’s currently playing the role of DJ Huey Calhoun in the Broadway musical Memphis, when she finally gets the chance to visit the Big Apple.
For tickets to Resorts World’s now long-running musical The Sound of Music, visit BroadwayWorld Philippines’ show listings section [Click Here].
