LEA SALONGA: How to sing CATS hit song MEMORY – no, seriously

The international touring production of CATS is confirmed to kick off in Manila on July 24, 2010 with the Philippine's very own Lea Salonga up there on the marquee. 

At the press launch held a few weeks ago, Lea treated the members of the press and media with her first ever public performance of the musical's signature song - "Memory" (earlier popularized by Elaine Paige, followed by a gamut of recording stars who had their take on the song.)

Lea recounts what she had to go through in singing "Memory" in her column published December 2 in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

"For that launch, I was asked to sing "Memory," which I had never sung before. Ever. I probably sang it in the bathroom once in a while, but never at a gig, never at a concert. The prospect of doing so for members of the press was intimidating. Thankfully, we would have two days of rehearsals.

Fiz Shapur, resident musical supervisor for "Cats" was around to make sure I would be okay. We met on a Monday afternoon at the Steps Dance Studio. After exchanging stories about many mutual friends, it was time to work.

Memory, turn your face to the moonlight ...

I don't think I had gotten further than that first line when I was stopped: I was singing it too pretty. It was then that I was nicely reminded: We're back to musical theater ... time to fight the pretty in a pretty song ... and with a song as pretty as this one, it isn't easy.

I started taking notes ... all over my sheet music were pencilled in: "simple," "intense," "steely," "focused" ... as well as music dynamics for where it should start to build and grow before I pull back again.

Touch me, it's so easy to leave me ...

When I got to this part, I flaked. All I saw was a D flat ... then an E flat ... notes that I'm not used to hitting on a regular basis ... notes that I thought I put away after "Miss Saigon" and "Les Miz." Oh dear ... time to take them out of my trunk.

As the afternoon progressed, I tried going for the notes. A swing ... a miss ... another try ... and though I got closer, it wasn't near what it needed to be, which, ideally, should be a raw cry (in the context of the show).

This meant that a little vocal homework was in order. Rats.

I hopped in the shower when I got home, and warmed up. I started to sing "Memory," trying to recall everything what Fiz and I had rehearsed. Since I was all alone, I ramped up to the big note and ...

TOUUUUUUUUUUCH MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ... IT'S SO EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASY TO LEEEEEEEEEEAVE MEEEEEEEEEEEE ... ALL ALOOOOOOOONE WITH THE MEMMMM'RY ... OF MY DAYS IN THE SUUUUUUN ...

There. My triumph turned to annoyance as a helper suddenly opened the bathroom door and I was jolted back to reality. Argggggh. I ramped up again ... and at that precise moment, the door opened again. I gave up and called it a night...

Fiz called another rehearsal the next day, just to lock in my lyrics and recall our notes from The Day Before. As I had other commitments on that day, our session lasted less than an hour. That's all we needed anyway.

In truth I felt much more confident, and I think I did all right at the launch the next morning. Still, that's not where I want to be for the actual run. Not yet. I pray that I get there by the time July 24 rolls around."

Read the full article HERE.

The Manila production of CATS is produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, Concertus Inc., and All Youth Channels in association with The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific. 

Tickets are available from PhP 750 to PhP 7,000 to the general public starting December 6, 2009. 

If you are a Citi client, you can get 10% discount on tickets until December 31, 2009.  Contact Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph for more information.

Photo shows Fiz Shapur and Lea Salonga

 

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