Carlo Orosa returns to theater for NOAH the musical

Carlo Orosa is no stranger to the spotlight. He is considered a veteran in the industry for being a singer and more importantly a sought-after actor in musicals and plays for the past decade.

But Carlo found it difficult to accept the role of Mr. Noah in the upcoming Trumpets musical N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat). It will be staged at the Meralco Theater starting September 4.

Carlo cited his busy schedule as a manager as a hindrance from accepting the project. As the president of STAGES Talent Management, Carlo handles the careers of stars such as Christian Bautista and Karylle.

But Trumpets president Audie Gemora said that being a manager shouldn't be viewed as a hindrance. "Carlo has become known in the past four to five years as a manager. So, parang nakakalimutan ng tao na he's a fine actor and a good singer. Fact is yun yung advantage niya as manager."

Audie Gemora goes on to explain why they choose Carlo. "For a producer like me, and he is basically a commander in chief being a manager. Kapag sinabi ng general, ‘Gawin mo Carlo'. Ganun siya, ‘Bakit?' I'm telling you because you got the capacity."

N.O.A.H. director and writer Jaime Del Mundo couldn't help but quip, "Actually, there's a simpler reason why we chose him. He's now old enough to play Noah."

Kidding aside, the 45-year old Carlo said that both Audie and Jaime felt that he was at the right age to do it and it they see it fit that he lead the comeback of Trumpets.

"I can't describe the feeling but I'm excited, nervous and terrified."

Carlo continues, "I prepared myself before the rehearsals started. I already learned the songs, memorized the scripts. Umaga pa lang, mga ala-sais ng umaga, nag-me-memorize na ako ng script."

The year 2003 was the last time Carlo had set foot in front of the spotlight. He previously starred in Honk the Musical.

"Nagulat nga sila sa akin, first day pa lang medyo alam ko na yung mga lines. Kasi nga, sabi ko, I don't want to do something na mapaphiya ako or mapapahiya ang Trumpets.

"I really had to lay low also from my talents, sina Christian and si Karylle. Talagang naka-off ang phone ko for seven hours a day because I need to focus on the rehearsals," he said.

He says that he's happy that his talents gave their full support to him in his return to theater.

"They're very excited for me. In fact, they're coming up with an article about me. All my talents are going to write about me as a manager."

ON BEING A MANAGER. Carlo believes that being a singer and performer before taking the role of manager to other artist came in handy.

"I'm a performer first. Yun naman talaga ang entrada ko sa business na ito. Yung pag-ma-manage naman came accidentally. I was singing then nung nag-ma-manage ako," he said.

Carlo recalls a conversation he had with Audie before deciding to manage Christian. " ‘You know Carlo, wala tayong ka-alam-alam sa management. Pero kung gusto mo talaga, ikaw, simulan mo. I challenge you.' That's how it started."

"Natutuwa rin ako kapag nakakakita ng bata, yung mga may talents at magagaling at mas bata pa sa akin. Parang gusto ko silang i-share sa community."

Carlo says that his being a manager is not borne out of his frustration of not having had a successful career.

"I always tell my friends na hindi man ako nagka-platinum or sumikat sa ibang bansa or nagkaroon ng pagkarami-raming concerts pero having done that for my talents parang nagawa ko na din. Parang I feel nagawa ko na din yun for myself because I was part of that, part of getting that for them, sila Christian at Karylle," he said.

ON HIS STAGE COMEBACK. Carlo said that he had a difficult transition going back to theater. He initially questioned why he was given this role to do.

"I asked God, ‘Bakit pa ako? Andami-andaming pwede gumawa ng role na ito.' I mean Audie could have done it. Why me pa?

"I'm not complaining. Before, I used to complain. Pero ngayon, okay na ako. I'm slowly secure already of doing the role.

"Bago ko ginawa ito, nag-work out muna ako. Nag-jogging muna ako everyday. Kasi ang tagal ko ng hindi gumagalaw. Nag-cardio ako every week. Doing the play, kailangan ma-sustain ko yung energy. Kailangan hindi ako humihingal. It's a challenge for me to do this at my age," he said.

He added, "The first time, lagi ako nakakalimot ng lines. Nakakalimutan ko palagi. I mean hindi ako mabilis before. Pero ngayon mabilis na kasi I do it na everyday."

Carlo says that everything is up in the air after his stint with N.O.A.H., which is a retelling of the famous biblical story about Noah and his famous ark.

"I just hope that people will love the play. Kasi number one, nakaka-proud talaga na we, Filipinos can come up with something like this. Two, we're hoping to share the message of trusting and having more faith in God.

"Hindi ko naman pina-plano na this will be the start of my career again as an actor. I'm just taking this one day at a time, one project at a time. I'm doing this project for now. I'm not thinking of the long term for this," he admitted.