Venue: Glasshouse, Gateshead
Date: Saturday 29th June 2024
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Lea Salonga is a true legend of musical theater and has appeared in many musicals over the years, since her breakout role in Miss Saigon back in 1989 which saw her perform in the West End and Broadway productions as part of the original cast. She then went on to play Eponine in Les Mis (and would return to that show in 2006 as Fatine) with many more musical theater credits to her name she also features for Disney, being the singing voice for Jasmine in Aladdin and fully vocing Mulan.
With all of this firmly in your mind it bodes well for how she mixes it all together within the show, perfectly named “Stage, Screen & Everything in Between” as she so nicely informs the audience it brings everything together that she has done on stage and screen, but then being able to put in songs she maybe didn’t get to perform on either of those.
This is then shown by the set list (see below) which was put together for the night, combining her most well known songs and then different songs from films. Which naturally was absolutely perfect for my love for both film and theater. Opening with Pure Imagination and into A Million Dreams was seriously such an amazing way to start the show. Along with showcasing her incredible vocals we also get some stories and information about her life to go along with the songs and that is why a show like this is just incredible.
The venue in Gateshead now the Glasshouse and previously known as The Sage is a truly beautiful place on the river Tyne and the concert hall really is so perfect for this type of performer. As it feels like a theater stage but set up more like a mini arena, not even sure if that makes much sense but that’s how it feels to me. This was only my second visit; my first was for Elaine Paige so it seems that seeing musical theater legends on that stage is my thing.
An added bonus was the fact that she did so many of my favorite musical related songs, Being Alive and Everything’s Coming Up Roses being particular highlights, Lea Salonga as Mama Rose anyone? I’d more than be up for that revival thats for sure! The Disney medley was great, and teasing with leaving out Reflection and A Whole New World until a little bit later.
I already cannot wait to see Lea Salonga on stage again, whether that be in concert or in a show as she is a very special and spectacular talent. I will forever regret not being able to see the production of Old Friends in 2023/into the start of 2024.