Sue: “‘Pag nadapa ka, maraming tutulong sa ’yo tumayo”
Sue Ramirez is gearing up for her theatrical debut via the Sandbox Collective’s 10th anniversary production “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Based on the 1960 film of the same name, “Little Shop of Horrors” The Musical onboards Sue as Audrey—which she will play alternately with Karylle.
In a media conference held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the Star Magic artist was asked if there ever was a thing she had to unlearn as a film and television actress before coming into theater.
As this is the first time she dipped her toes into the world of theater, Sue has then reflected on the lessons she already learned—particularly on how she is not afraid to make mistakes during rehearsals.
She begins, “I think I had to unlearn everything. It’s a totally different world out here.
“What I like about doing theater is they urge you to make mistakes. Unlike on TV, it’s fast-paced, so kailangan, take one ka lang lagi. Doon natin mapu-prove na magaling kang artista ‘pag take one ka lang palagi.
“Pero dito [sa theater], pwede kang magkamali. ‘Pag nadapa ka, maraming tutulong sa ’yo tumayo. Tapos magbibigay sila sa ’yo ng mga anong pwede mong gawin para mas maayos mo pa; para mas maganda pa yung performance.
“So, the rehearsals have been really, really fun. We’ve all been making mistakes… hanggang ngayon binubuo pa namin.”
Sue has also given appreciation to the other cast and creative team in the musical, saying, “These people, they all inspired me talaga. They’ve been so helpful, so yeah, the question is if I had to unlearn something, then I had to unlearn everything about I did on TV and movies.”
Sue Ramirez and her early musical influences
Not a lot of people know Sue can sing, and admittingly, she said many would get surprised upon knowing that she actually can. As she tries her hand on doing musicals for the first time, she humbly says that she’s still improving.
Acknowledging the help of musical director Ejay Yatco and director Toff De Venecia, she says, “I’m still learning a lot, and I think I have a lot more to improve, and I’m very very excited for our actual first show.”
Music has always been in Sue—harnessed by her random karaoke nights with her family and honed by the many singing gigs she landed while growing up.
She recalls, “Especially on the karaoke, my family used to… yun yung bonding ng pamilya namin talaga, growing up. And then I went to school—I sang in school, I sang in mga first Friday mass.”
While Sue did not really undertake a proper training, she says that her influences came partly from the Broadway plays turned into movies, such as “Mamma Mia,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and “Les Miserables.”
Sue even recalled wanting to be a theater actress even before becoming a TV personality. While she’s been getting television and film projects upon entering showbiz at the age of 13, Sue says there was a desire to “explore more.”
“Parang there was more to acting than saying your lines. I wanted to do a musical talaga, it has always been a dream of mine,” she says.
What to expect from “Little Shop of Horrors?”
The award-winning horror-comedy musical “Little Shop of Horrors” is part of the Sandbox Collective’s 10th anniversary production. It puts Nyoy Volante and Reb Atadero as the lead character Seymour, which they will play alternately.
Markki Stroem and David Ezra will take turns playing the role of Orin, while Mr. Mushnik will be played by Audie Gemora. The bloodthirsty plant named Audrey II will be given a life by OJ Mariano, while the Street Urchins ensemble is composed of Mikee Baskiñas, Abi Sulit, Paula Paguio, and Julia Serad.
The music of the legendary composer Alan Merken and the lyrics of Howard Ashman will take front and center including the iconic compositions, “Suddenly, Seymour” and “Somewhere That’s Green.”
The musical will run from July 6 to 28, 2024 at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
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