IN FULL BLOOM

With each new role, Lea Salonga adds another vibrant layer to her stellar career. However, the role that truly shines the brightest is that of mother to Nic Chien, a blossoming star who has discovered his path illuminated by her unwavering love and deep understanding

- Chit L Lijauco

One spring afternoon in New York, after her pictorial in a Manhattan studio for this cover story a few weeks back, Lea Salonga found a window in her busy schedule to talk to Tatler.

The Tony Awards night was just around the corner, and the Tony/Olivier awardee was gushing over what she calls “a vibrant Broadway season for AAPI [Asian American and Pacific Islander] talents”.

“Unbelievable!” she says. “Look at the space talents of Filipino heritage are occupying! Off the top of my head, I can already count six nominated for a Tony.” Out of the six, three won the Tony: Nicole Scherzinger (Lead Actress, Sunset Boulevard), Darren Criss (Lead Actor, Maybe Happy Ending) and Marco Paguia (Best Orchestrations and a special Tony as a band member, Buenavista Social Club).

She was not in the running for the Tonys this year, but has been receiving great critical reviews for her performance in Old Friends, a tribute revue for the late musical theatre composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, where she costars with Bernadette Peters. Salonga was also honoured with the prestigious Drama League Award last May 16 for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater.

“It’s kind of crazy!” she comments on the recognition given to her by the oldest and only major theatrical awards chosen by the entire theatre community in America. Initially, she thought she hadn't had done yet as many shows as those who have been honoured, such as Yul Brynner (1985), Sir Elton John (2009), Andrew Lloyed Webber (1995) and her idol, Sondheim (1991).