EXCLUSIVE: Gian Magdangal admits there’s pressure in starring in next year’s musical ‘Carousel’

Rhea Manila Santos

Even after two decades in showbiz, singer Gian Magdangal said he has never gotten the chance to be part of a Repertory Philippines production until he got the starring role in their 2020 musical Carousel. “I really wanted to do REP ever since I started in 1999 because the first ever musical I watched in my life was in Repertory. Seeing these people, na-inspire ako. But on my way to Repertory parang nagulat ako ng barkada ko na yinaya ako mag-Trumpets workshop. So I ended up with Trumpets which was also a good path but I always had that at the back of my head of trying and wanting to join Repertory. A lot of my friends from theater came from [REP] theater and just year after year I haven’t had that opportunity to even get the chance to audition and this time I got to audition and everything came into place,” he told PUSH.The talented singer also admitted it is going to be his first time working on stage with co-star Nikki Gil and director Toff De Venecia. “Technically it’s my first time to work with him as a director but because I did 9Works Theatrical material. Toff has always been around and he’s been a friend so in that sense. But as a director this is the first time and it’s very exciting. It’s also going to be my first time working with Nikki on stage. That’s a treat and I’m very excited about that. But I’ve known her as a friend in the industry and we have common friends,” he shared during the Repertory Philippines 2020 press launch held earlier this month at the Onstage theater in Greenbelt, Makati.After doing Ang Huling El Bimbo, Gian said his latest musical will bring a lot of lessons. “It’s a handful. There’s a lot of themes and a lot of values in Carousel that I’m sure a lot of people can relate to especially here in the Philippines even if it’s foreign material. Love, redemption, and hope. With these characters and the relationships. It’s a classic so it’s something to look forward to especially for the young generation,” he said.Gian also admitted there is pressure since Carousel is REP’s major musical offering next year. “Definitely there’s pressure. Kinakabahan (laughs) but at the same time I have to hold on to the team that I believe in so with that, it’s going to be like holding hands together and step by step we’re going to make this in that kind of aspect. There’s teamwork and chemistry and that’s what musical theater is all about. Hindi lang ako yung kakabahan, lahat kami. Group effort siya. So that’s the love of theater. I believe in the saying na pag hindi ka na kinakabahan sa mga gusto mo gawin, baka kailangan kabahan ka naman. Gumawa ka ng isang bagay na kakabahan ka para you know na you want to do your best,” he explained.

Gian also admitted there is pressure since Carousel is REP’s major musical offering next year. “Definitely there’s pressure. Kinakabahan (laughs) but at the same time I have to hold on to the team that I believe in so with that, it’s going to be like holding hands together and step by step we’re going to make this in that kind of aspect. There’s teamwork and chemistry and that’s what musical theater is all about. Hindi lang ako yung kakabahan, lahat kami. Group effort siya. So that’s the love of theater. I believe in the saying na pag hindi ka na kinakabahan sa mga gusto mo gawin, baka kailangan kabahan ka naman. Gumawa ka ng isang bagay na kakabahan ka para you know na you want to do your best,” he explained.

Even after two decades in showbiz, singer Gian Magdangal said he has never gotten the chance to be part of a Repertory Philippines production until he got the starring role in their 2020 musical Carousel. “I really wanted to do REP ever since I started in 1999 because the first ever musical I watched in my life was in Repertory. Seeing these people, na-inspire ako. But on my way to Repertory parang nagulat ako ng barkada ko na yinaya ako mag-Trumpets workshop. So I ended up with Trumpets which was also a good path but I always had that at the back of my head of trying and wanting to join Repertory. A lot of my friends from theater came from [REP] theater and just year after year I haven’t had that opportunity to even get the chance to audition and this time I got to audition and everything came into place,” he told PUSH.The talented singer also admitted it is going to be his first time working on stage with co-star Nikki Gil and director Toff De Venecia. “Technically it’s my first time to work with him as a director but because I did 9Works Theatrical material. Toff has always been around and he’s been a friend so in that sense. But as a director this is the first time and it’s very exciting. It’s also going to be my first time working with Nikki on stage. That’s a treat and I’m very excited about that. But I’ve known her as a friend in the industry and we have common friends,” he shared during the Repertory Philippines 2020 press launch held earlier this month at the Onstage theater in Greenbelt, Makati.After doing Ang Huling El Bimbo, Gian said his latest musical will bring a lot of lessons. “It’s a handful. There’s a lot of themes and a lot of values in Carousel that I’m sure a lot of people can relate to especially here in the Philippines even if it’s foreign material. Love, redemption, and hope. With these characters and the relationships. It’s a classic so it’s something to look forward to especially for the young generation,” he said.

Gian Magdangal shares the stage with Nikki Gil in Repertory Philippines’s lineup for 2020.

EXCLUSIVE: Gian Magdangal admits there’s pressure in starring in next year’s musical ‘Carousel’ | PUSH.COM.PH