Phantom of the Opera’s Jonathan Roxmouth has declared Manila his musical heaven on his return to the Philippines after 7 years.
Roxmouth, who plays the title role in the longest-running Broadway musical marking its 31st anniversary in 2019, is in Manila for the staging of The Phantom of the Opera – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous musical about the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as ‘The Phantom’ who haunts the Paris Opera House whose love for young soprano Christine turns into a mad obsession when she reunites with her childhood friend Raoul.
Roxmouth announced his arrival in Manila on his Instagram saying, “I’m in heaven.”
In media interviews Roxmouth continued heaping praises on his host country, telling the Philippine Star, “Returning to Manila already makes this (production) a standout for me. I fell in love with the city and the people,” he says.
The multi awarded actor reveals his return to Manila marks a significant juncture in his performance history – as he starts the new world tour in Manila in 2019 some seven years after he ended his last world tour in 2012.
“I get to play the Phantom in the city where my last tour ended. It feels like I’m picking up where I left off. Not bursting into tears is going to be my biggest challenge. My heart feels like it is two sizes too big for my body,” says Roxmouth.
He further explains his adoration for the Philippines to CNN noting the musicality of the people, “I fell in love with Manila the first time I was here for a few reasons. I wasn’t quite prepared for how much the people of Manila adore music. There’s music in every aspect of the culture, there’s music everywhere you go, everybody in the Philippines apparently can sing, and not just sing, sing really well.”
Roxmouth also declares his excitement at being in the country of the Philippines’ international Broadway star, Lea Salonga who recently marked her first nomination from the Grammys.
“I’m obviously a big fan of Lea Salonga, so it’s lovely to see how the culture here just adores and respects theater in a way that I haven’t seen in many places in the world. I’ve had the opportunity to travel with a number of productions. That first tour we did with ‘Phantom’ in 2012, I fell hopelessly in love with this place,” adds the South African performer.
Jonathan Roxmouth, the lead performer of the Phantom of the Opera’s World Tour in Manila – on stage at The Theatre at Solaire from February 20 to March 17, 2019 – has also made good on his declaration of favoring the Philippines and announced a day before Valentine’s that he is staging his very first international concert in Manila.
“So…here’s a little surprise. My first international concert will be in Manila. Orchestra. Special Guests. Show tunes. That’s how we roll…” posted Phantom’s Jonathan Roxmouth on his social media on February 13.
“Jonathan Roxmouth, The Musicals in Concert” will have two shows on April 13 at The Theatre at Solaire, after the Manila run of the Phantom of the Opera.
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