Jackielou Blanco talks about Ricky Davao and Nora Aunor

AFTER HITS LIKE “Next to Normal” and “Aida”, Atlantis Productions is now staging the new Broadway musical, “In the Heights”, winner of four Tony Awards for best musical, best score, best choreography and best orchestrations. Set in a Latino community in Upper Manhattan’s Washington Heights, it has several endearing characters and one of them is played by Jackielou Blanco. “I play Camilla, wife of Calvin Millado, daughter namin si K-La Rivera of Star Power who’s now a MYX VJ,” she says. “I’ve done theatre before but mostly local plays sa UP and CCP. My last was a play on Rizal with me as Josephine Bracken in 1995. ‘In the Heights’ is my first Broadway musical. I took voice lessons with Sweet Plantado of The Company for better projection at para hindi ako mapagod agad. I’m glad that I’m doing this ngayong nasa last week na kami ng ‘Blusang Itim’ at nag-last taping day na kami. Now, I can focus on our daily rehearsals for the play.”

Does she watch her hubby Ricky Davao’s work as a director in “Sisid”? “Yes, even before it was aired, he made me and our kids watch the first few episodes and we were very impressed kasi parang pelikula ang treatment niya. I’m so happy for him as he really loves directing. We’re all proud of him.”

Do their kids intend to join showbiz as well? “May hilig sila but I’m glad they all want to finish college first, just like Monching and Lotlot’s daughter, Janine, na graduate na before she joined showbiz. She’s now taking workshops with GMA to prepare her.”

What can she say about Nora Aunor’s return? “It’s Kuya Germs who told me sa ‘Walang Tulugan’ that she’s coming home and I’m glad may trabaho agad siya.” Would she like to work with her? “I’ve worked with her before in films like ‘I Love You, Mama’ and ‘Can’t Stop Loving You’. It’d be nice to work with her again, given the chance.”

How did she become part of “In the Heights”? “Director Bobby Garcia asked me to audition. I’m glad nakuha ako as I love his past plays. I have a solo song here, ‘Enough’, and the rest are with the ensemble. I can relate to my role kasi I really speak Spanish.”

“In the Heights” is staged at the RCBC Plaza Theatre in Makati from September 2 to 18 with special licensing arrangement with Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals and Broadway Asia. For tickets, call Atlantis, 892-7078 and 840-1187.