Veteran actress and singer Vina Morales recently made her Broadway debut in the musical Here Lies Love, replacing no less than international star Lea Salonga in the role of Ninoy Aquino’s mother Aurora Aquino.
Afterwards, the actress took to Instagram to express her exhilaration at her “dream come true” experience.
“My Broadway debut was magical! You made it all magical. I am overwhelmed by the love and amazing reviews. I made it to Broadway! Yeay! A dream come true and another checked on my bucket list,” she said, showing video clips of her performance and behind-the-scenes photos.
“31 shows to go [cause] I’ll be on the dance floor until Oct 22. Now [I] can say I am a Broadway actor. To God be the Glory,” she added.
The singer didn’t forget to thank the musical’s production team, the cast and Salonga for their support.
In a televised interview, Morales revealed that Salonga has been a big help in her first Broadway role, giving her all the guidance and encouragement she needed.
The Tony Award-winner Salonga is one of the producers of the landmark all-Filipino musical.
Morales, 47, also did not forget to thank the fans who watched and supported her Broadway debut.
“For those who were calling my name during the show, I can hear you ok and I am KILIG but I can’t smile back and wave at you [cause] I am in a role character hehe sa concert na lang po ako mag-hi sa inyo, pero I’m kilig that you guys are cheering for me. Salamat po,” she wrote.
Morales, a two-time FAMAS nominee, was the first-ever champion at the IKON Asean music competition in 2007. She also won Album of the Year at the 2000 Awit Awards for her 1999 album No Limits.
Award-winning musicians David Byrne and Norman Quentin Cook are the brains behind the controversial all-Filipino musical Here Lies Love, which tracks former first lady Imelda Marcos’ rise to power and fall from grace after the EDSA People Power Revolution.