Cherrie Gil returns as Maria Callas in Terrence McNally’s Master Class ~ My Opinion

Cherie Gil, one of the finest veteran actresses and the diva of the Philippine Theater returns to the center stage to give life the role of Maria Callas in the Philippine Opera Company's presentation of Terrence McNally’s Master Class. Master Class is the story of Maria Callas, she was one of the most controversial figure yet the greatest soprano in her generations, born 1923 and died 1977. The story evolves in her passion for singing and teaching others to sing despite of her difficulties in her voice that time. The operatic play will be staged at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza in Makati beginning July 29 and followed by 9 more performances on same venue.

Cherrie Gil will be reprising her role for the second time after her stint as Maria Callas in 2002 with the same production and director, Michael Williams. It’s always part of Cherrie's ambition as an actress to sing and perform on theaters and her strong personality gives her the edge to do Maria's role. For Gil, it is a challenge to do Callas where the story focused on the highlights of Maria’s triumph and tragedies which requires Gil 90% appearance on the stage and memorizing the lines properly. As Gil mentioned Michael is strict with the lines where he finds every word important to the story.

(Cherrie Gil with Director Michael Williams during the Master Class media launch)

Like Maria Callas, Cherrie Gil is a very talented person and has passion on what she is doing, even being a nemesis in movies and TV shows. Cherrie appears in the popular movie Bituing Walang Ningning with Sharon Cuneta. She plays the role Lavinia, a famous singer who doesn't allow anyone to go beyond her stardom. Cherrie is a versitile actress where she does comedy in Champoy, and even playing “good” characters in ABS-CBN's Rubi and Pieta. She also appears in TV commercial like Bayantel's Lola Techie ads.

(Cherrie Gil as Maria Callas in Master Class, photo by William Wong)

As a fan of the iconic actress Cherrie Gil it will be exciting to see her performing on stage and it will be my first time seeing her doing that. Gil’s co-performers on the Master Class includes Juan Alberto Gaerlan as Anthony Candolino and Al Gatmaitan (alternate), Florence Aguilar as Sophie de Palma, Ana Feleo as Sharon Graham and Kay Balajadia-Liggayu (alternate), and Francis Amora as the pianist Manny.

The Master Class will be run at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati on July 29, 30, 31, August 6, 7, 8, 12,13, 14 and 15, 2010 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.). For tickets and reservations please call Philippine Opera Company at 892-8786 or 881-7168 or TicketWorld at 891-9999. For more information visit www.philippineoperacompany.com.