LET KC SHINE ON HER OWN
by Leah Salterio, Inquirer News Service, June 30, 2001

WHEN KC Concepcion, daughter of megastar Sharon Cuneta, didnít show up at the press conference of ìLittle Mermaid,î some entertainment writers quickly concluded that she was avoiding the media. They said she was probably hesitant to answer questions, especially those about her dad, former actor Gabby Concepcion.

But KC did not actually snub the presscon. In fact, she really meant to go, according to Luna Inocian, who wrote the libretto of ìLittle Mermaid.î

KC was in Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, where she was shooting the commercial for Human, the new garment line that she will soon endorse, reportedly for a cool P5 million.

KC will undoubtedly bring in the crowds to watch the new production of ìLittle Mermaidî which, associate director Audie Gemora confesses, will be a shorter production.

The musical staged last year was all of three hours, which made the kids in the audience a little edgy and restless, if not sleepy, before the show ended.

KC will play Princess Sapphire in ìLittle Mermaid,î taking over from the role originally played by Karylle, daughter of Zsa Zsa Padilla.

KCís audition is a story in itself. ìShe really lined up for the auditions and she came unannounced,î Audie recalls. ìWhen Karylle auditioned, it was different. We even got a call from her talent manager, Ronnie Henares, who rattled off to us Karylleís limitations onstage, that she should do no kissing scenes, among others.î

Audie admits he was excited to see KC in the long line outside Stageworx, the new home of Trumpets on the 5th level of Shangri-La Mall.

ìI told our director, Jaime del Mundo, that she was Sharonís daughter and we have to take her in because she would surely bring in the crowds,î Audie relates. ìBut since Jaime is not really familiar with local talents, he told me, ëSo what? She still has to be good before we take her iní.î

But KC was a real trouper when she auditioned, according to Audie. She sang ìPart of That World,î the theme from the Disney version of ìLittle Mermaid.î

KC must have surely learned the song from her mom because when Sharon once did a show at Captainís Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, ìPart of That Worldî was among the many impromptu numbers she sang in full for the SRO audience.

When KC was required to act, she gladly did a few acting routines. Then she even asked Del Mundo, ìDo you want me to dance?î

When Del Mundo nodded, KC immediately took off her high heels to do a few dance steps.

ìKC auditioned for any role, even a chorus part,î Audie says. ìShe must have really impressed Jaime that she landed the part of Princess Sapphire.î

KC is making her theater debut in ìLittle Mermaid,î which signals her show biz entry. She will surely be compared to her mega-popular mom. But KC is simply following in Sharonís footsteps and she should be given a chance to prove herself and shine on her own. Eventually, she can transcend the formidable tag of being ìSharonís daughter.î

The new cast of ìLittle Mermaidî is a blend of new and original members.

Alternating with KC as Princess Sapphire is Repertory Philippines talent Cathy Azanza.

The lead role of Jewel, the Little Mermaid, will be played by three talented young singers ñ Carol Banawa, Dianne de la Fuente and Katrina Villarante.

Carol and Dianne did it last year. Katrina is a balikbayan from Vancouver, Canada, who will play it for the first time.

Audie points out that the Trumpetsí production is not based on the animated Disney version of ìThe Little Mermaid,î but an all-Filipino version of the classic talent by Hans Christian Andersen.

ìWhen we presented ëLittle Mermaidí last year, we were sandwiched by two big productions ñ ëTheyíre Playing Our Songí and ëMiss Saigoní,î Audie explains. ìYet, ours turned out to be a success. We are optimistic that we can duplicate, if not surpass, that success this year.î

ìLittle Mermaidî goes on stage at Meralco Theater from Aug. 3 to Sept. 9. Also starring are Jeff Arcilla and Noel Rayos as Prince Christian, Carlo Orosa as Nicodemus, Lynn Sherman and Sheila Francisco as Crustacea, Freddie Santos as King Argo, and Eladio Pamaran and Tonipet Garcia as Calamari.