KC IN LITTLE MERMAID: SPLENDIDLY MAGNIFICENT
DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda, August 8, 2001

It is not fair to say that the one shining reason to watch Little Mermaid is KC Concepcion. It is not fair to both the production and KC. And last Thursday, I was unfair to the production and KC because I braved the hellish traffic to make it to the Meralco Theater in one piece. It was the press night of Little Mermaid and a battalion of mermaid lovers, members of the media, titos and titas, fabulous real-life mermaids and a few real life Crustaceas (Crustacea is the villain in Little Mermaid) filled the theater to the rafters.

And there were many of us who have wept unabashedly the many times we have seen Little Mermaid who were there to welcome and see the new Princess Sapphire portrayed by the stunning KC Concepcion. I was there because of KC Concepcion.

Both KC and the production of the Little Mermaid are splendidly magnificent.

In the press night last Thursday, I still cried when Princess Jewel dies – but this is giving away too much. You have to watch it yourself and test your human sensitivity in this technologically operated world where one day tears and pain can be technologically invented. Crying in this sense can be liberating.

The production is still magical. Solid performances were delivered by Dianne de la Fuente as Princess Jewel, Noel Rayos as Prince Christian, Lynn Sherman as Crustacea. Carlo Orosa was heartwarming as Nicodemus, Freddie Santos was brilliant.

The cast will surely go to heaven for simply being the best. The production design is spellbinding – still. The staging – seamless. The book and music are inspiring – especially during these times when the virus of uncertainty is causing all sorts of physical ailments – from colds to leukemia to paranoia.

Little Mermaid will not cure cancer. But it will make the afflicted feel good about himself. If will remind him that there is more to life than life itself. That God is kind – as if we didn’t know.

And finally, the much-awaited entrance of Princess Sapphire came. And what an entrance! I wanted to spank the little boy behind me who kept playing with his seat. But I held myself from battering a child who was perhaps enjoying the musicale – most children his age would have been sleeping in peace by then. The boy who was making his seat squeak to the rhythm of Crustacea’s evil lamentation, was a testament to the magnificence of the musicale. Aside from his being wide awake, Little Mermaid made me that night a paragon of the virtue of patience. Any other show with an annoying boy at my back would have turned me into a diabolic witch.

KC was beautiful – more beautiful than Princess Sapphire. She had focus – undistracted by the electric sighing and gasps from an adoring audience. The voice was solid and fresh. But the presence, oh, the presence, could only belong to a star – a superstar, a megastar, a star for all seasons combined together. She portrayed Sapphire with ease and a sense of truth, rare in young actresses. When she played with imaginary water, splashing it on her face and on her friends, I actually saw pearly drops of water sprinkling onstage. And when she saw her prince, I saw a young princess smitten. It was in her voice, and ah, the eyes – that are meant to conquer and rule. She moved gracefully as princesses do. As an actress, she knew how to use her body and her space onstage. And like a star, she knew her moments. And the best thing was, KC never for a moment, overdid her role.

And most important of all, the girl has a distinct sense of humility and generosity. I saw it in the curtain call. Yes KC doesn’t get to bow last – and her body language spoke clearly that she wanted the rest to get credit and applause. It was as she was saying, "I’m just part of the company. I’m not alone."

Proud mom and dad, Sharon Cuneta and Senator Kiko Pangilinan with Mommy Elaine and some cousins were there to support KC. I also saw the amiable Ben Chan of Human and Bench, Marnie Ocampo of Sari-Sari Store, lovable Joyce Jimenez, direk Rowell Santiago, ageless Racquel Villavicencio, Ligaya Salonga, direk Bobby Garcia, MTV VJ Belinda Panelo, Jet Valle, Mary Ann Sta. Ana, Irene de Leon and many more.

Congratulations Luna Inocian, Jaime del Mundo, Mio Infante and the rest of the production and artistic staff – and of course, Audie Gemora, Butch Jimenez. Mabuhay ang Trumpets!

In conclusion, this much I will say – the Trumpets have been known to announce the arrival of her royal highness, the Princess of Philippine Entertainment – KC Concepcion.