The lead actors of the musical play Jersey Boys--Nyoy Volante, Christian Bautista, Nino Alejandro, and Markki Stroem--are vocal about the fulfillment they get from being part of a theatrical production.
Three of them have experienced doing TV shows and/or movies: Christian, Nyoy, and Markki.
They all say that there is a different kind of satisfaction derived from doing theatre, as opposed to acting for movies and TV projects.
Though Christian is known in show business as a recording artist and an actor, he started out as a theatre actor.
He joined Star In A Million, a singing competition on ABS-CBN in 2003, which paved the way for him to become a recording star and eventually become an actor.
Christian said about doing theatre, “I like the immersion, the discipline.
“I like performing live. I like the energy that you feel performing live.
“There’s so many things. And we learn so much.”
This is also the reason why he encourages fellow artists to try doing live theatre—whether a straight play or a musical.
“Kasi madami ka talagang matututunan,” he reasoned out.
Nyoy, who plays Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, agrees with Christian.
“Sa akin kasi I’ve been in theatre for so long, sobrang naa-appreciate ko yung system as opposed to when I do concerts, I do shows, I do TV.
“Meron lang ino-offer ang theatre na wala sa iba: yung discipline talaga dahil sobrang disiplina for you to be a better actor, a better performer a better person. May mga ugali sa sarili mo na nababago because of theatre.”
Nyoy pointed out that respect for theatre performers is high because theatre acting requires multi-tasking before a live audience.
“Simply because of the difficulty kasi pag nasa theatre, kailangan kumakanta ka, sumasayaw ka, umaarte ka,” he said.
He added that this is why he continues to accept opportunities to do theatre when his schedule permits.
“It becomes a part of you. Hahanap-hanapin mo every now and then.
“Most of us can’t do theatre all the time, but believe me, pag nagkaroon ng pagkakataon you’ll grab it kasi gusto mo.”
Filipino-German singer-actor Markki said that performing before a live audience gives him satisfaction.
“I guess the immediate satisfaction that you get when performing is the immediate gratification when the audience watch you.
“There’s something about having no cuts in a play that really adds to the education of being an actor or a singer or a dancer or a host, essentially because there is no way to hide from any mistake that you make for two and half hours on the set.”
In the case oftheir play Jersey Boys, Markki does not deny the fact that it’s a tough job, but “we learn so much and we grow so much and that’s why I really like going to theatre.”
Meanwhile, Nino may not be as active as his three colleagues in TV and movie projects, but he did bit roles in the past.
“A long, long time ago I had quick appearances on TV and I did some TV before, but not really, really significant. Very small roles lang,” related the singer who was a finalist of The Voice of the Philippines.
However, he said that his couple of years doing theatre have reintroduced him to doing acting, which he has come to love and enjoy.
Nino also added that he is now open to doing more TV or movie projects if opportunities come his way.
“Hopefully if there’s a role na feeling ng mga networks, ng mga director na bagay sa akin, the opportunity to sink my teeth into something like that.”
Jersey Boys will run during weekends at the Meralco Theatre from September 23 until October 16, 2016.
For tickets, visit www.TicketWorld.com.ph or call (632) 6505144.