New Singer K-La Rivera Nominated As Best Actress In A Musical For 'In The Heights'

BALIKBAYAN SINGER from Canada, K-la Rivera, who shone in "Star Power", has never had a boyfriend and has never been kissed. But in the musical "In the Heights", she gets to do kissing scenes with theatre actor Felix Rivera (no relation to her) and this shocked her relatives. "My aunt was scandalized and I had to explain that it's just a staged kiss and I'm just playing a role," she says. "I myself was so nervous when I first did it during the play's initial run, but now, I'm used to it. Trabaho lang po ito."

It was her first theatre experience. "I like the discipline of the theatre. You have to take good care of yourself, or else baka walang lumabas na boses mo when you're performing. So hindi ako nagpupuyat, I eat healthy foods and take a lot of vitamins for greater stamina. All in all, it was a great experience. I enjoyed working with Jackielou Blanco as my mom who treated me like her real daughter, with Felix as my leading man, and the other cast members led by Nyoy Volante and Ima Castro. They were all so helpful as they know first timer ako on stage. It's good training for me."

For her performance, K-la was nominated as best actress in a musical at the Aliw Awards. "Even if I didn't win, it's a great honor." The show starts its repeats tonight at the RCBC Theatre in Makati and will run until March 25. Its Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist, Lin-Manuel Miranda, flew to Manila to personally watch it. For tickets, call 892-7078 or 840-1187.)