London-based thespian Joanna Ampil is finally coming home to the Philippines to do her very first musical theater project in Manila after 16 years of being a West End star. Joanna is playing the role of Maria in the production of "West Side Story" to be produced by STAGES, and directed by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo. Joanna has long wanted to perform in her own country but never had the chance until she heard of the casting call for "West Side Story." She was then busy playing Fantine in West End's "Les Miserables." So she emailed STAGES' president Audie Gemora, and asked if she could send in her audition materials instead. Without thinking twice, Audie said yes.

Thanks to the advent of technology, Joanna was able to send in a digital audio track of "Think of Me" from the "Phantom of the Opera" where she sang the soprano role of Christine. After listening to Joanna, the judges were all blown away, and agreed that she would get the part of Maria. The judges included Audie, Jaime del Mundo, and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, who has starred as Maria in the past.

Joanna recalls the day when she saw Audie in the production of "Joseph the Dreamer" at the Meralco Theater. "That was a turning point for me," Joanna shares. "I remember vividly how I told a friend about wanting to get into theater after seeing the show. That was way back in 1992, and little did I know that 16 years later, I would be working with Audie in the same theater where I realized my dream."

Joanna has always dreamed of becoming a performer. She has no formal drama training but when she was younger, she was always part of the school programs, which gave her the invaluable experience of performing before a crowd. That's why when she was chosen to play an alternate for the role of Kim in West End's "Miss Saigon" in 1993, there was no stopping her.

After her powerful performance in "Miss Saigon," she was offered one key role after another. She has also played Mimi in "Rent," and Eponine in "Les Miserables," among others. Joanna was even handpicked by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to play Mary Magdalene in "Jesus Christ Superstar," which was very memorable for her. "It was tough to get to know her character," she says. "The pressure was immense since we were opening the show. It was a total change of environment for me and it was my first time to work with Mr. Webber."

However, Joanna was quite content already after playing Kim. "The roles I played after that were just bonuses," she mentions. "But then, Maria came along and I dreamed again, I just had to tell her story."

The role of Maria is quite far from Joanna in real life. But she is taking this as a challenge in the same way that she has handled all her other roles.

On the other hand, her most recent role as Fantine in "Les Miserables" is the most challenging for her since this is her first mature role. "I cannot be more different than the character," she expresses. "Since I was the first Asian to play the part in London, the creative team of 'Les Miserables' was a bit challenged with how they were going to create my look."

There is a lot of pressure on Joanna right now but one thing's certain: people can expect a West End performance from her in Manila.

STAGES' production of "West Side Story" will run at the Meralco Theater on September 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21; October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or STAGES at 818-1111 loc. 225. Ticketworld is also online at www.ticketworld.com.ph. Ticket prices range from P500 to P1,200.

STAGES' production of "West Side Story" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) in New York.