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Our 8 crossover artists are mainstream entertainment performers who are already staple names and have made a mark in the Tinseltown, who, because of their well meaning handlers and managers, had a “Why don’t you give theater try?” eureka moment. The result of this cosmic query is of course, golden!

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A former TV singing champion, this chanteuse was just one of those power belters populating a noon time variety show. When she donned the fins of Ariel in the Little Mermaid and the fashion forward jungle garb as Jane complete with an impressive British accent in Tarzan, people were dumbfounded with the fact that she has the pipes and acting chops for musical theater. Now, Go is going for golden as she reaps praise in West End, as Gigi in the re-staging of Ms. Saigon.

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They love him in Indonesia and in Malaysia, he is a superstar. The true blue South East Asian superstar , the balladeer with the most romantic of voices, was last seen in Ghost, the Musical opposite Cris Villonco. His other high profile theater credits are Rama at Sita, Cinderella and West Side Story. He is the perfect musical theater leading man, with his looks, voice and physique, just don’t give him a fight scene on stage, seeing Bautista in a brawl is not a pleasant theater experience.

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When she become Alena, one of the Sangres in the phenomenal Encantadia, we super liked her. When she became the former girlfriend of Dingdong Dantes , we were all jealous. Now that she is Mrs. Yael Yuzon, we wish her a happily ever after. Kaye’s musical theater engagements are impressive, she was Maria in West Story, Cinderella in the Rogers and Hammerstein musicale and Sita, in the Bienvinido Lumbera and Ryan Cayabyab ballet musicale, Rama at Sita. And yes, Baustista is her perennial stage partner.

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The other Bautista, just like Christian, was the first runner up of this generation’s superstar, Sarah Geronimo. Many raised their eyebrows when the hunky Bautista was asked to play lead in the Full Monty. Of course, we all know that Mark surprised all the doubting Thomases. To the many who saw the “most essential” part of him because of a ligthing miscue, it further solidified why he must be in the musical.

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Many are not aware that the host and comedian had impressive theater roots, he played bit parts in Repertory Philippines and had stints with the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Thus, his grand theater comeback for Sayaw ng Mga SENIORita, Gantimpala Theater’s entry for the National Theater Festival, was indeed the grandest of all, as he shared the stage with director Soxie Topacio, Manny Casteneda, Bb Gandanghari. Justine Ferrer and Joel Lamangan. What followed the much talked about comeback was The Full Monty and giving life to Adam Gomez in The Addams Family. Ignacio will rock the house now in Rak of Aegis.

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Before Kristina became the ex-girlfriend of Piolo Pascual, and a close friend of Paulo Avelino, she dazzled every one as Princess Sapphire in The Little Mermaid with the Philippines’ first prince of theater Noel Rayos as Prince Christian. She also became Belle in Beauty and tHe Beast and was part of Katy, the Musical Concert. People are just wishing and praying this showbiz royalty does another musical theater production.

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The last StarStruck male victor Steven enjoyed so much his musical theater stint via Hope For The Flowers. The touring production was a first for Silva and he looks forward to do another stage production. Right now, the Pan-Asian looking actor, sings while he cooks and bakes in a musical made for TV, in The Boston: The Kitchen Musical.

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The latest entertainment show lister is the devastatingly beautiful Calzad who will give life to the role of Marquise Isabelle de Merteuile, the role that almost gave her an Oscar, in the Filipino adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons, Laro sa Panaganip for Tanghalang Pilipino. Her John Malkovich is TJ Trinidad and Isabel Oli takes on the character of Michelle Pfeiffer. With adaptation by Elmer Gatchalian and direction by Tuxqs Rutaquio, expect Laro sa Panaginip to sizzle.

Alwin Ignacio

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