Did she see the film version that won Marion Cotillard the Oscar? “Only snippets in youtube. Pero siempre, iba yung sa stage, walang take two rito, e. Piaf is the quintessential artist who died for her craft. She was born and raised in the street, her mom an actress and her dad a circus performer. Sumikat siya when she’s accused of killing a club owner. When the war came, she was chosen to sing for the French and German troops at ipinupuslit niya ang members of the resistance. She toured the U.S., had affairs with composers and actors like Yves Montand and Charles Aznavour. She also had an affair with Marlene Dietrich, played here by G Tongi in her first stage play.”
The niece of the late theatre icon Zeneida Amador, Pinky started acting on stage in the mid-80s. She’s a part of the original cast of “Miss Saigon” that started in London in 1989. She has since branched into the movies and TV. “By now, instinctive na yung the way I adjust my acting depende sa medium na ginagampanan ko. For ‘Piaf’, I studied French as a lot of the songs are in French. I even went to Paris to visit the grave of Edith Piaf and ask her permission to do this. Kasi, pag ayaw raw niya, nawawala ang boses ng actress playing her o naaaksidente. It’s a very challenging role kasi I never leave the stage. Doon na ko nagpapalit ng costumes and wig. I also get to kiss everyone, pati si G Tongi, yes, may kissing scene kami. Kaya I require everyone to have a mouthwash, for hygiene.”
Also in the cast are Ima Castro, Reuben Uy, Altair and Mako Alonso (sons of Chinggoy), Hans Eckstein, Nel Gomez and Sandino Martin. “Piaf” runs at the RCBC Makati Carlos Romulo Theatre from March 8 to 23. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.
