“Old Friends” is a concert honoring Broadway musical theatre composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim
Tony winner and Broadway diva Lea Salonga is cherishing yet another chance to showcase her musical talent with the opening of Stephen Sondheim’s “Old Friends” in London.
The esteemed thespian took to social media to express her happiness to tick off yet another musical theater dream as she became part of the 16-week star-studded show.
“To say that I’m living my musical theatre dreams would be an understatement. This show, company, orchestra, crew, and creative and production team are some of the world’s finest, not to mention stellar humans. What a privilege of a lifetime it is to be amongst this fantastic group,” she wrote in the caption.
“Old Friends” is a concert honoring Broadway musical theatre composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh.
Lea and her friends
The show’s official social media account posted numerous photos from its preview night at the Gielgud Theatre, showcasing the cast as they took the stage to deliver their impactful performances.
It also posted an almost five-minute video clip capturing the cast’s rehearsal, featuring Lea in a solo number.
“It’s not often you get to gather a cast like this to sing this incredible material. This kind of gathering of actors and singers, it doesn’t happen very often. Better come and see this,” she said.
Aside from the Filipina singer, the production also features other celebrated theater stars including Bonnie Langford, Marley Fenton, Julia McKenzie, Bernadette Peters, Matthew Bourne, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Bella Brown, and Harry Apps.
They are also joined by Filipina-British actress Christine Allado, Beatrice Penny-Touré, Jason Pennycooke, Gavin Lee, Bradley Jaden, and Janie Dee.
The concert won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Theatre Event early this year. At the event, Cameron announced that the concert would return for a 16-week run at the Gielgud Theatre, which started last September 16, 2023, until January 6, 2024.
Before the show, Lea participated in the first all-Filipino Broadway show, “Here Lies Love” as a producer and performer, giving life to Aurora Aquino. Her departure from the show paved the way for singer Vina Morales to take on the role.
Read: Vina Morales Belies Rumored Broadway Competition With Lea Salonga
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