From the auditions held on January 10 and 11 at The Theatre in Solaire, five Filipino children were chosen to play Tam, the only child of the ill-fated lovers Kim and Chris, in the Manila run of Miss Saigon.
They are Anderson Bonita, Keone Buenaluz, Dylan De Ocampo, Enzo Isaac, and Cassidy Lorenzana, as earlier announced by GMG Productions.
Though in the original productions, Tam was portrayed as male, GMG said this time, the character could be “of any gender”.
GMG recently announced a few backgrounders on the lucky five Filipino children who will join the Manila run from March 23 to May 12.
Cassidy Lorenzana (from GMG Productions IG account)
Among the five tots, the one easily picked up by media is Cassidy Lorenzana. It’s no surprise, because she happens to be the daughter of multi-platform actor and music producer Guji Lorenzana and wife Cheska.
Incidentally, Guji is part of this year’s restaging of Rent the musical by Nine Works Theatricals, playing Mr. Jefferson and in some performances, as Benny Coffin. In 2014, he played the lead character Danny Zuko in Grease the Musical, also produced by Nine Works.
Cassidy going into theater is something expected.
She had her one-night only and debut performance on February 1 at the Adelaide Festival Theatre Centre, where homegrown Filipino theater actress Kiara Miren Dario also performed as Gigi Van Trahn and Filipino-Australian actress Abigail Adriano played Kim.
In an earlier post on his official Instagram account, the proud father shared the wonderful experience.
View this post on Instagram
“Cassidy didn’t know what theater was at the beginning, and she still thinks this is like going to school,” Guji said in an earlier interview with Broadway World Philippines.
“She’s excited every time she attends a rehearsal because Cassidy has gotten so close to the other cast members, including Seann Miley Moore (The Engineer), who she calls ‘silly Sean,’ and Abigail Adriano (Kim), who plays her ‘KimMama’,” the proud father added.
“She calls the staff there her teachers and the other Tams her best friends,” Gugi said.
After Cassidy’s debut performance, Guji wrote in his Instagram account: “Picture us parents tearing up each time Cassidy took the stage. The confidence in her bow melted my heart, and the crowd cheered loudly for her. We’re excited for the Manila production of Miss Saigon in March, and proud that Cassidy is part of this amazing cast.”
He added, “Cassidy already misses the other Tams and the rest of the cast whom she calls her best friends, including Seann Miley Moore (The Engineer).”
The ecstatic father said Abigail Adriano, the Filipino-Australian actress playing Kim, told Cassidy “I’m proud of you” during the curtain call at Adelaide Festival Centre Theatre for her first-ever performance in professional theater in Australia.
Adriano wrote in her comment: “To be able to fly all the way to Australia, learn the show in just a few rehearsals, and then effortlessly stand before two thousand people is just incredible. See you soon, baby Tam! 💕”
In an earlier statement, GMG Productions said, “(Cassidy) is a multi-talented bundle of joy with interests ranging from soccer to Lego, drawing to cooking, and an unwavering love for Disney princesses. On the playground, she’s a force to be reckoned with, and her laughter is pure magic.”
Speaking of the other Tams, here is what GMG also shared.
Andy Bonita photo (from GMG Productions Instagram)
Anderson Bonita, also called Andy, “is an energetic four-year-old boy who loves to play football and basketball. Sometimes, he sets aside his sporty side to show off his love for music, dance, and theater. Andy occasionally turns into Spiderman and often climbs the stairs while doing Spiderman poses.
“After being a superhero, Andy transforms into Billy Elliot, belting Electricity while dancing to it. In addition, Andy is an expressive child who loves to act out songs and create interpretative dances. Andy also loves to play with toy guns and act as a soldier, as he told his parents he wants to be one when he grows up,” GMG Productions said in a statement.
Dylan De Ocampo (from GMG Productions IG account)
Dylan De Ocampo, meanwhile, “is a four-year-old avid fan of dinosaurs, sharks, and creatures like King Kong and Hydra. He likes to play with his collection of dino toys and cars, watching movies and documentaries of wild animals, and playing games with his family.
“He also likes playing outdoors with his sister Darla. They go biking and play ball games in the afternoon. He enjoys drawing with colored markers. He usually draws animals and monsters he has seen on shows,” said GMG.
“Dylan is very excited to have his musical theatre debut as ‘Tam’ in ‘Miss Saigon’. Being a shy boy, this production has given him the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and to gain more independence. Dylan would like to thank his Mommy, Daddy, sister Darla, Auntie Hannah, Grandma Ingrid, Mama, Papa and Kuya Minoy for believing in him and supporting him on this.”
Enzo Isaac (from GMG Productions Instagram account)
GMG described Enzo Isaac “a funny and articulate boy who loves to play with Lego and trains. In school he would rather spend his time talking to his seatmates than eating his snacks. He loves Math, tries his best in Mandarin, and enjoys art time the most.”
Keone Buenaluz (from GMG Productions IG account)
Keone Buenaluz is the four-year-old gem who graced the stage at United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization-International Theater Institute “FACT’s 1st International Performing Arts Festival” in Phan Thiet City, Vietnam, from December 7 to 11, 2023.
GMG said, “Despite her timid and shy nature, with a heart full of innocence and a disciplined dedication to her craft, she adds a unique charm to her performances. Offstage, she finds solace in the joyful company of cousins and friends, embodying the sweetness of childhood.
“Keone’s love for singing and dancing is a testament to her expressive spirit, making her a darling presence both on and off the stage. Her happiness at being part of the production reflects a building passion for the arts,” GMG added.
Besides Adriano, Miss Saigon Asian Tour is led by Filipino-Australian Seann Miley Moore as the Engineer. Homegrown Filipina triple threat (singer, dancer, and actor) Kiara Miren Dario plays Gigi the show girl in Dreamland Bar.
Also part of the Manila season are those from the Australian cast members: Nigel Huckle as Chris, Laurence Mossman as Thuy, Sarah Morrison as Ellen, and Lewis Francis as John.
The Asian Tour is produced by GWB Entertainment. The Manila season is produced by GMG Productions, co-presented by Union Bank of the Philippines, with Philippine Airlines as the official airline partner.
Miss Saigon runs at The Theatre at Solaire from March 23 to May 12.
