Erik Santos on dating ex-gf Ruffa Mae Quinto

ERIK SANTOS tries musical theatre for the first time in “Little Mermaid” that runs at Meralco Theatre from November 18 to December 11, 2011. “I’m excited but nervous about it,” he says. “Actually, two years ago pa when Direk Bobby Garcia of Atlantis Productions offered me the role but I was scared to do it as I don’t have any theatre experience. But now, he said he won’t take no for an answer so I’ll do it, but I really want to prepare for it as this is different from just singing in a concert. I’ll have to take voice lessons for better voice placement and also some acting lessons in my role as the prince to Rachelle Ann Go’s Arielle. Also, magagaling kasing theatre performers ang co-stars namin, like Calvin Millado as King Triton and Jinky Llamanzares as Ursula the Witch, at ayokong mapahiya sa kanila.”

Directors Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga took an Asian Puppetry workshop in Hawaii for the sea creatures they’ll use in the play. “We are thrilled, once again, to bring another beloved Disney classic to the Philippine Stage. We are creating a Little Mermaid unlike any other. It will be an exciting fusion of East meets West elements. Our underwater kingdom will be completely Asian in theme and our above water world will be Western, representing two different worlds where East meets West. We will also be using traditional forms of Asian and Western puppetry including Wayang shadow play, bunraku, nang kaloung and western hand puppetry,” says the very talented Bobby Garcia whose Atlantis Productions is also mounting “Aida”, “In the Heights” and the repeat of “Next to Normal” this year.

Going back to Erik, is it true he was seen dating ex-GF Rufa Mae Quinto at Resorts World? “I accompanied her to a meeting there for her birthday concert. Wala naman sigurong masama roon as we’ve remained good friends kahit di na kami.”