Atasha Muhlach to star in 'Bongga Ka, 'Day: The Annie Batungbakal Musical'
Atasha Muhlach is the next Annie Batungbakal!
The actress is set to play the titular role in the upcoming Bongga Ka, 'Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical opening this September at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
Annie is described as a creative, lovable, spirited, and generous 20-something who's also a little naive. She's a dispatsadora, or staff, of the House of Pasion with a dream of becoming a fashion designer. She joins the Coco Banana circle, but they initially turn her down due to her lack of authenticity.
During a press conference attended by PhilSTAR L!fe on June 17, Atasha said that she was filled with tears of joy.
"Full circle moment para sa akin kasi nagsimula ako sa theater, and that was when I realized na gusto ko talaga umenter sa industry na 'to, and it made me realize my passions for performing, the arts, and the craft," she said.
"Imagine 15 years later, [I'm] performing in the same stage where it all began," Atasha added. She made her theater debut on the Newport Performing Arts stage as Brigitta von Trapp in the group's staging of The Sound of Music 15 years ago.
Since 2011, the 24-year-old has gone on to finish her studies at Nottingham Trent University in England and star in other TV shows and movies, including Eat Bulaga, Bad Genius, Da Pers Family, and Everyone Knows Every Juan.
When she was younger, she also starred in Jollibee commercials with her dad Aga Muhlach, mom Charlene Gonzales, and twin brother Andres Muhlach, who recently starred in Bagets The Musical.
Being Annie
Bongga Ka, Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical will transport audiences back to the 70s as it features hits from the decade such as Hotdog's Bongga Ka Day, Annie Batungbakal, Manila, and Ikaw Ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko, among others.
Atasha said that she'll put a fresh modern spin on the 70s-themed show by "giving it a go" and making sure she tries her best.
"I don't know what the outcome will be or what the future holds. All I know is I'm going to work as hard as I can for this. I'm ready to accept the challenges, and I have so much to learn," she said.
The actress added that she's excited to let her generation experience Manila Sound and to let them "feel the energy, the fun, the vibrance, [and] the joy."
For her audition, Atasha sang a Hotdog song and another 70s tune.
"I even prepared an extra dance choreography production," she shared. "Then on the spot, si Direk Chris [Millado], he taught a dance tapos kasama din si Sam Concepcion doon. Grabe kaba ako kasi siyempre naman si Sam Concepcion, magaling bilang theater actor and as a performer. I'm just happy it went [successfully.]"
Gold Lim, PETA Plus Deputy Director, added that Atasha was among the over 300 people who auditioned per day for the musical.
"Andami-dami talagang nag-audition. Seeing Atasha being part of that audition, sobrang nakakatuwa," Lim said. "'Pag nag-aaudition, siyempre maraming magaling[,] pero when you go on stage, especially with a stage like Newport, kailangan mo ng certain bigness, certain charm so that the audience will focus on you, and it was so fun to see Atasha do her auditions. Ang kengkoy niya, she knows her [songs]."
Apart from Atasha, the musical features big names to play as the leading men, including Sam Concepcion (One More Chance: The Musical), KD Estrada (Walang Aray, Bagets The Musical), Jeff Moses (Bagets The Musical), and Anthony Rosaldo (Ang Huling El Bimbo).
Jackie Lou Blanco (Laura Gunderson's anthropology) and Ring Antonio, meanwhile, will play the head of the House of Pasion, while Gerhard Krysstopher will take on the role of Annie's best friend Toots, and Air Paz-Pablico steps into the shoes of Annie's Mom Suzy.
Yani Lopez and Andrea Babierra will star as Annie's younger sister Iste, and Akie Cedilla will play balut vendor Amor.
Meanwhile, John Lapus (Call Me Mother) and Dindo Divinagracia will alternate as Coco Banana proprietor Tarutit and the Batungbakal's neighbor, Tito Tambay.
Bongga Ka, Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical is presented by Newport World Resorts in association with VIVA Communications and The Philippine STAR. The collaboration staged Bagets The Musical earlier in January.