BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Fresh from her evening performance at Repertory Philippines’ Carousel, Karylle Tatlonghari more popularly known as Karylle, did an exclusive interview with Showbiz Beat Media.

She portrays the role of Julie Jordan, a meek and innocent woman who becomes enamored with Billy Bigelow. “Well definitely…even when I’m trying to focus on my scenes, I always remind myself I’m so grateful to be here, just to ground myself,” said the It’s Showtime regular host.

One of the usual things she does to prep herself before the show is say a prayer. Karylle shared that she panicked during the pandemic, and thought things were kind of post-apocalyptic, and even prepared for the worst. “Well, hindi naman nangyari yun. We just ordered a lot of food in, and got a bit fatter,” she reminisced.

Her input is quite interesting, as Manila Bulletin actually referred to Carousel in their December 11 article as “presenting a vision of the theater in a post-pandemic world”. The Broadway show has almost always been presented in a proscenium stage, whereas Toff de Venecia’s staging of Carousel, is being shown at the new CCP Black Box Theater located in front of PICC, which is not even square, but is shaped like a wide catwalk.

Karylle is thankful to be part of this musical with “everyone putting out their hearts and souls”. The actress described her fellow cast as giving, to the point of “wala talagang tira”. Her constant thought behind this discipline was performing as if it is her last. 25 people from It’s Showtime family watched the singer-actress on a single playdate. The thespian also underlined that there was a bit of scheduling problem at first, but they were able to fix it, and she would wake up at around four o’clock or five o’clock in the morning. “I really had to take leaves sa work and said I couldn’t combine (the rehearsals and the tapings),” she confessed.

“The preparation (for Carousel) was first decision and that I really have to concentrate on this and give it my 100% plus plus,” added the multi-awarded performer. She is grateful to be part of an upcoming TV series and doing Carousel at the same time. “It’s bringing out a lot of emotions in people. They’ve been supportive to us and kind to us,” observed the musical’s lead actress.

This is certainly not Karylle’s first rodeo with musical theater, as she has been part theatrical productions such as Little Mermaid, Seussical, West Side Story, Rama Hari, Cinderella, and Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko. It certainly won’t be her last, since according to her, “There is no escaping art.”

Carousel runs until Dec. 18 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, BlackBox Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. Tickets are available at the CCP Box Office, TicketWorld, SM Tickets, and the REP Box office at [email protected] and 0966-905-4013.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Instagram (@repertory philippines)