Joan Almedilla
Encyclopedia
Joan Almedilla is an international film & theater actress, composer, and singer who has starred as 'Kim' in the Broadway musical Miss Saigon
.
According to an interview by AsianWeek on June 1, 2000, Joan, who wanted to sing, did not want to be an actress. But through her love of music she stumbled upon the much-coveted role of 'Kim' in the Broadway production of "Miss Saigon." The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
Almedilla came to the United States in 1993 to pursue a college education. Little did she know that her formal voice training and previous performing experience while in The Philippines would lead her on the road to stardom.
As a child, Joan enjoyed competing in many talent contests in The Philippines.
Unlike most theater actors who spend years honing their craft, Almedilla never had formal drama instruction, yet she is now one of the most sought-after actresses in the theater. She eventually landed the role of 'Fantine' in "Les Misérables," billed as one of the longest-running and the "world's most popular" musical.
Almedilla's career took-off when she landed the role of 'Kim' in the Broadway production of "Miss Saigon" (1995–1997). She then moved on to portray the role of 'Fantine' on the Third National Tour of "Les Miserables" (1999–2000 and 2005–2006). Her other credits include: 'Soul Girl' on the Broadway National Tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (2002–2004); and 'Woman' in "Songs for A New World" (2005) at the Rubicon Theater, which had been nominated for several Ovation Awards including Best Ensemble Cast.
In 2007, Almedilla starred in the famous Here Lies Love
staged at Carnegie Hall
's main theater, the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, with nearly 3,000 music patrons and enthusiasts in attendance. Here Lies Love presented Imelda Marcos
meditating on events in her life; from her childhood spent in poverty to her rise to power, and her ultimate departure from the presidential palace. In particular, the production looked at the relationship between Imelda and a servant from her childhood, Estrella Cumpas, who appeared at key moments in Imelda's life. Almedilla was the only Filipino in the cast, provided the vocals for Mrs. Marcos, with Byrne for Ferdinand Marcos
and Ninoy Aquino. Byrne, who also has an Oscar and a Golden Globe, is best known as a founding member and the principal songwriter of the New Wave band
Talking Heads
.
Almedilla had the privilege of reciting two poems (Wonderment and A Hill in the Land of Moriah) composed by Pope John Paul II
and the United Nations
. Among the attendees were former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
and New York's Cardinal Egan.
She has directed several fundraisers including: Hope For A New World (benefiting the victims of Tsunami disasters in South Asia) and Give A Child Hope (together with Places Please and World Vision to benefit The Children of Rwanda).
Almedilla supports Broadway Cares: Equity Fights Aids, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Miss Saigon
Miss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby, Jr.. It is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover...
.
Biography and early career
Almedilla was born on September 19, 1973 to Agapito and Rosario, whose roots are from Bohol and Cebu in The Philippines.According to an interview by AsianWeek on June 1, 2000, Joan, who wanted to sing, did not want to be an actress. But through her love of music she stumbled upon the much-coveted role of 'Kim' in the Broadway production of "Miss Saigon." The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
Almedilla came to the United States in 1993 to pursue a college education. Little did she know that her formal voice training and previous performing experience while in The Philippines would lead her on the road to stardom.
As a child, Joan enjoyed competing in many talent contests in The Philippines.
Unlike most theater actors who spend years honing their craft, Almedilla never had formal drama instruction, yet she is now one of the most sought-after actresses in the theater. She eventually landed the role of 'Fantine' in "Les Misérables," billed as one of the longest-running and the "world's most popular" musical.
Almedilla's career took-off when she landed the role of 'Kim' in the Broadway production of "Miss Saigon" (1995–1997). She then moved on to portray the role of 'Fantine' on the Third National Tour of "Les Miserables" (1999–2000 and 2005–2006). Her other credits include: 'Soul Girl' on the Broadway National Tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (2002–2004); and 'Woman' in "Songs for A New World" (2005) at the Rubicon Theater, which had been nominated for several Ovation Awards including Best Ensemble Cast.
In 2007, Almedilla starred in the famous Here Lies Love
Here Lies Love
Here Lies Love is a concept album and rock musical made in collaboration between David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, about the life of the former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos along with the woman who raised her—Estrella Cumpas—and follows Marcos until she and her family were forced to leave...
staged at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
's main theater, the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, with nearly 3,000 music patrons and enthusiasts in attendance. Here Lies Love presented Imelda Marcos
Imelda Marcos
Imelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
meditating on events in her life; from her childhood spent in poverty to her rise to power, and her ultimate departure from the presidential palace. In particular, the production looked at the relationship between Imelda and a servant from her childhood, Estrella Cumpas, who appeared at key moments in Imelda's life. Almedilla was the only Filipino in the cast, provided the vocals for Mrs. Marcos, with Byrne for Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
and Ninoy Aquino. Byrne, who also has an Oscar and a Golden Globe, is best known as a founding member and the principal songwriter of the New Wave band
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
.
Almedilla had the privilege of reciting two poems (Wonderment and A Hill in the Land of Moriah) composed by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. Among the attendees were former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
and New York's Cardinal Egan.
She has directed several fundraisers including: Hope For A New World (benefiting the victims of Tsunami disasters in South Asia) and Give A Child Hope (together with Places Please and World Vision to benefit The Children of Rwanda).
Almedilla supports Broadway Cares: Equity Fights Aids, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Personal life
Almedilla is married to Filipino American film director Charles Uy, whose film about 9/11, Yasin, is an official entry in the short film category of the Berlin International Film Festival. Uy is known for his much-awarded film thesis Waiting in the Wings, which was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, and The Directors Guild of America.Theater
- Les Misérables (as Fantine)
- Miss Saigon (as Kim)
- Krunk Fu Battle Battle (as Jean Lee)
- Songs for a New World
- Jesus Christ Superstar (Soul Girl/ Magdelene Us.)
- It's Only Life
Awards
- Perlas Awards - Philippine Foundation, Cebu City
- Certificate of Recognition in the field of Performing Arts - Bohol Circle of Eastern, USA (1998, 2000)
- Apollo Awards for Best of Apollo Nights (1994)
- Champion, Best of Cebu Pop Music Festival (January 1993)
- Most Perfect Voice Music Mate Star (1989)
- Regional Champion, Music Mate Star (Cebu City) (1989)
Sources
- http://www.lesmis.com/pages/about/cast_current_us.htm
- http://www.bohol.ph/article205.html
- http://www.pep.ph/guide/1956/Karylle-paired-with-Christian-Bautista-in-West-Side-Story
- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E5DB1739F931A35751C0A960958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
- http://www.globalpinoy.com/v2007/sections/globalpinoys/?details&id=46
External links
- http://www.joanalmedilla.com