March 18, 2017
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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| Devin Ilaw Photo from Instagram.com/hellothereimdev |
Sharing the stage with Rachelle Ann Go and Jon Jon Briones on Broadway for this year's revival of "Miss Saigon" are Filipino-Americans Eva Noblezada, Lianah Sta. Ana and Devin Ilaw.
In the story, where Vietnamese orphan Kim falls in love with and is abandoned by an American soldier during the final days of the American occupation in the 1970s, Go will play Gigi and Briones will play the Engineer.
Both are from the Philippines though Briones is now based in Los Angeles. Go will move to London later this year to act in "Hamilton" on the West End.
Playing the titular character Kim are Noblezada (born in San Diego to a Filipino father and Mexican mother) and Sta. Ana (born in New Jersey to Filipino parents).
(Go, Briones and Noblezada previously played the same roles in the 2014-2016 West End revival.)
While all four are making their Broadway debuts, their co-actor Devin Ilaw has already performed on the Great White Way as Montparnasse and Marius in "Les Miserables."
Jersey boy
Ilaw will be playing Thuy, Kim's betrothed cousin and one of the musical's antagonists.
He previously played the same part in the 2010 Toronto revival. He's acted in various productions across the US, including Song Liling in "M. Butterfly" and Lun Tha in "The King and I."
Born in New Jersey to Filipino parents, Ilaw grew up immersed in music. His mother plays the piano, is a church music director and was in a rock band; his younger brother sings, is an award-winning percussionist and plays over 20 instruments.
Piano playing
Ilaw himself began playing piano at seven and also went on to win awards. "My grandmother was my first piano teacher. I'm also a pretty good violinist and can play basic chords on the guitar. I'd love to get better at the guitar and teach myself the ukulele at some point."
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| Rachelle Ann Go and Devin Ilaw. Photo from Instagram.com/gorachelleann |
An offshoot of his piano playing, he started listening to show tunes ("My favorites were 'Les Miserables,' 'Miss Saigon,' and 'Jekyll and Hyde.'") and would practice belting out the songs.
"In 8th grade, I entered the school talent show and sang 'Confrontation' from 'Jekyll & Hyde,' and the rest is history!"
He went on to complete a BFA in Acting and Music Theater (with honors) from Carnegie Mellon University. (Same school of Zachary Quinto, Josh Gad, Ming Na Wen, Renée Elise Goldsberry, etc.)
Pinoy food
Though Ilaw's never been to the Philippines ("I'm dying to go. Hopefully soon!"), he grew up with its cuisine. "My mom is an amazing cook. I love Filipino food! My favorites are pancit palabok, menudo, mechado, pancit bihon, afritada, bicol express and sotanghon."
He's inherited her skills. "I can make a good adobo, both chicken and pork, and sinigang. I'm getting pretty good at making lumpiang shanghai."
He always jokes that the reason he spends so much time at the gym is so that he can eat anything and everything he wants.
Ilaw works out at least five times a week, usually starting with 20 minutes of cardio, either spinning or treadmill, then an hour on specific muscle groups. "My favorite day at the gym is chest day, and my least favorite is legs."
He also tries to attend a SoulCycle class every Saturday morning taught by Fil-Am castmate Robert Pendilla.
Ilaw's favorite word in Tagalog is 'mabuhay' and he says it's how he approaches every day: to live a good life with friends and loved ones.
"Miss Saigon" features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr., adapted from the original French lyrics by Boublil. This Broadway revival is scheduled to end in January 2018. A US tour will follow.
"Miss Saigon" previews ongoing, opens March 23, Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway, New York. Tickets: SaigonBroadway.com.
Inquirer.net link:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/257557/devin-ilaw-pinoy-thuy-new-miss-saigon-broadway/
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