After a three-year break from theater, Gian Magdangal returns to the stage with a vengeance in STAGES’ production of West Side Story. Even during the previews, theatre critics have already noticed Gian's laudable performance: "Mr. Magdangal has carried himself extremely well as the ruffian Riff. His singing and dancing skills were exceptional."
Gian’s towering height of six feet gives him a commanding presence on stage and an advantage for his rough and tough role as leader of the American gang, Jets. Even though the role of Riff is far from his real-life self, he is very determined to do the role. “I’m soft-spoken and a bit laid-back while Riff is totally the opposite,” Gian shares. “But with the help of director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and co-star Jaime del Mundo (playing Doc), they helped me create the character of Riff.”
Playing Riff is actually one of Gian’s dream roles but he didn’t expect it to come early in his career. At first, he was even hesitant to accept the role, but with the encouragement from executive producer Audie Gemora, he agrees to take on this very challenging role. “I studied the character very well,” Gian explains. “I made a character sketch to flesh out Riff very well. I took note of his likes, dislikes, pet peeves, and many more. I also asked myself, ‘who is Riff in my life?’ I pegged some of my friends together to form the Riff in me. I even thought of my idols like Robin Padilla and imagined him a New Yorker, and it was effective.” But more than the songs and what the role of Riff demands, Gian finds his entrances and exits a bit difficult to study because it requires timing and coordination with other cast members especially for most of the dance sequences.
Even though this is Gian’s most challenging role thus far, his ultimate dream is to play the part of Tony. This is not impossible from happening since he is covering for Christian Bautista. “In case Christian becomes suddenly unavailable to play the part, I will take over,” Gian says. “So I studied the parts of Riff and Tony.” Gian finds Tony to be a very emotional role, and sees himself as more of the romantic type rather than a hard-hitting guy.
Aside from working with his theater friends, Gian feels honored to work with some of the best thespians in the world. In just about two months, he has made new friends in the company of Joanna Ampil and Rowena Vilar. “They are very approachable that you wouldn’t think they are big stars,” Gian comments. “They are very down to earth and it’s a very humbling experience for me.” The cast gets to bond with each other because of their everyday rehearsals from Monday to Saturday starting at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “I don’t know but there’s just this thing about theater that attracts me to it,” Gian affirms. “Even if it consumes a lot of time, it’s really worth all my efforts. I know it’s a sacrifice but it can only do me good.”
Just like his idol Gary Valenciano, Gian started his singing career by joining the choral group Kundirana during his high school days in La Salle. This later on led him to join Trumpets Playshop under seasoned directors Freddie Santos and Sweet Plantado of The Company. Soon enough, he found himself as part of the boy band 17:28, which released two albums, and produced the hit song Sukob Na. After which, his theater involvements started pouring in. Some of his theater credits, mostly supporting roles, include Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Man of La Mancha, Joseph the Dreamer, and Saturday Night Fever where he demonstrated his talents in disco dancing as Tony Manero. There’s a reason why he was given an award for “Best Performance by a New Male Artist” in the 2006 Awit Awards, and was awarded the “Most Promising Male Singer” by the 2008 Guillermo Awards Foundation.
Gian considers singing as his passion and theater as the opportunity provider for him in fulfilling his dream. He really dreams of becoming a pop star someday, and theater is slowly paving the way for him to achieve this. In fact, after landing on the top 3 of the reality TV show Philippine Idol, he got a network contract. He is a regular in the Sunday noontime variety show SOP (Sobrang Okay, Pare!). Someday, he also hopes to do some acting work on television like being part of a soap opera.
Indeed, Gian never stops dreaming, and has a long and promising path ahead of him. After his West Side Story stint, Gian will continue working on his debut album under Sony BMG. And despite his busy schedule, he still manages to be a full-time dad to his 3-month-old son Gian Haley.
West Side Story’s remaining play dates at Meralco Theater are on Sept. 19, 20, 21, Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, 2008. For tickets, call Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or STAGES at 818-1111 loc. 225. Ticketworld is online at www.ticketworld.com.ph. Ticket prices range from PhP 500 to 1,200.
West Side Story is made possible with the support coming from ABS CBN, The Philippine Star, Ambient Media, MET Tathione, Discovery Suites, PLDT, Manila Bulletin, Outland, MAC, Skechers, Swatch, Bench, Oishi, Belo, Gold’s Gym, McDonalds, Senheisser, Peri Peri Chicken, Kiseki, Trinoma, Trumpets Musicademy, Pioneer Life, Warner Music Philippines, Yamaha Stagepas, ClicktheCity.Com, Yehey.Com, Myx, Business Mirror, Dunkin’ Donuts, Essensuals Toni & Guy, Bed Head Products, Circle Café, Capricciosa, Getzmo.Com, Pep.Ph, Spot.Ph, Business Mirror, and Lifestyle Asia.
West Side Story is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) in New York.
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