Lea Salonga

Infobox actor
name = Mars - Chien


birthdate = birth date and age|1971|2|22
location = Angeles City and Manila, Philippines
birthname = Maria Ligaya Carmen Imutan Salonga
spouse = Robert Charles Chien (2004–present)
yearsactive = 1978–present
occupation = Singer, actress
website = http://www.leasalonga.com/
tonyawards = Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical
1991 "Miss Saigon"
laurenceolivierawards = Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical
1990 "Miss Saigon"
dramadeskaward = Drama Desk Award for Best Actress in a Musical
1991 "Miss Saigon"
outercriticssicrlceaward = Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in a Musical
1991 "Miss Saigon"
theatreworldaward = Theatre World Award for Best Actress in a Musical
1991 "Miss Saigon"

Lea Salonga-Chien, KL (born Maria Ligaya Carmen Imutan Salonga on February 22, 1971 in the Philippines) is a multi-awarded Filipino American singer and actress who is best known for originating the role of Kim in the musical "Miss Saigon". [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=23104|title=Broadway.com Star Files] In the field of musical theater, she is recognized for having won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Theatre World Awards, the first to win various international awards for a single role. [cite web|url=http://www.audreymagazine.com/February2005/Features01.asp|title=Audrey Magazine: "The Entertainer"] [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=23104|title=Broadway.com Star Files] She was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical "Les Misérables" on Broadway. [cite web|url=http://www.lesmis.com/pages/news/newsdetail.php?newskey=52|title=Les Miserables: "Tony Award winner to join cast as Fantine"]

Salonga is the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from "Aladdin" in 1992 and Fa Mulan for "Mulan" and "Mulan II" in 1998 and in 2004, respectively). [cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=aIu8qmB_wxEC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=lea+salonga+age+of+seven+biography&source=web&ots=rRix9KqXss&sig=TrTVhUCpX3zdSBGuPv5-iinCALE#PPA4,M1|title="The Right Way to Sing" by Linda Marquart: Lea Salonga Biography] [cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=22779|title=Anime News Network: Lea Salonga]

Early career

Lea Salonga is a granddaughter of former Senator Jovito Salonga. Lea started as a child star in the Philippines, making her professional debut in 1978 at the age of seven through the musical "The King and I" by Repertory Philippines. [cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=aIu8qmB_wxEC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=lea+salonga+age+of+seven+biography&source=web&ots=rRix9KqXss&sig=TrTVhUCpX3zdSBGuPv5-iinCALE#PPA4,M1|title="The Right Way to Sing" by Linda Marquart: Lea Salonga Biography] She became the lead star of "Annie" and joined other productions such as "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof", "Fiddler On The Roof", "The Rose Tattoo", "The Sound of Music", "The Goodbye Girl", "Paper Moon", and "The Fantasticks". [cite web|url=http://www.filipinoweb.com/leasalonga.html|title=Filipino Web: Lea Salonga]

She began her recording career at the age of ten with her first album, "Small Voice," which received a gold certification. [cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/lea-salonga/person/92158/biography.html|title=TV.com: Lea Salonga] [cite web|url=http://www.filipinoweb.com/leasalonga.html|title=Filipino Web: Lea Salonga] A song on the album, the duet “Happiness,” marked her first recording collaboration with her younger brother Gerard Salonga who would, years later, work with her either as musical director or creative director in her concerts and recordings. [] [cite web|url=http://www.musikanatin.com/music_director.php|title=Musika Natin: Music Director Gerard Salonga] Her second album, "Lea," was released in 1988. [cite web|url=http://www.mldb.org/album-8989-lea-salonga-octo-arts-1988.html|title=MLDb: Lea Salonga]

In addition to performing in musical theater and recordings, Salonga hosted her own musical television show, "Love, Lea", [cite web|url=http://www.filipinoweb.com/leasalonga.html|title=Filipino Web: Lea Salonga] and was a member of the cast of German Moreno's teen variety show "That's Entertainment". [] She likewise acted in films, which included the family-oriented "Tropang Bulilit", [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335493/|title=IMDb: Tropang Bulilit] "Like Father, Like Son", [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0378252/|title=IMDb: Like Father, Like Son] "Ninja Kids", [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0199830/|title=IMDb: Ninja Kids] "Captain Barbell" [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346694/|title=IMDb: Captain Barbell] and "Pik Pak Boom". [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349964/|title=IMDb: Pik Pak Boom] She also opened for international acts such as Menudo and Stevie Wonder in their concerts in Manila in 1985 and in 1988, respectively. [cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/lea-salonga/person/92158/biography.html|title=TV.com: Lea Salonga]

As a young performer, Lea Salonga received a Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) award nomination (the Philippine equivalent of an Oscar nomination) for Best Child Actress [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0758964/awards|title=IMDb: Lea Salonga] and three wins from the "Aliw" (literally, "entertainment") "Awards" as Best Child Performer. [cite web|url=http://www.filipinoweb.com/leasalonga.html|title=Filipino Web: Lea Salonga]

International career

Salonga's big breakthrough came when she was selected to play Kim in the megahit musical "Miss Saigon" in 1989. [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=23104|title=Broadway.com Star Files] Unable to find a strong enough Asian actress/singer in the United Kingdom, the producers scoured many countries looking for the lead role of this major British production. [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097492/|title=Clips of the worldwide search for Kim and the development of the musical are contained in the video "The Heat is On: The Making of Miss Saigon" produced in 1989.] [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE6DB163AF934A25750C0A967958260|title=New York Times: “Theater: The Iron Butterfly within Miss Saigon,” March 1991] For her audition, the 17-year-old Salonga chose to sing Boublil and Schönberg's "On My Own" from "Les Misérables" and was later asked to sing "Sun and Moon" to test her voice quality's compatibility with the songs in the musical. [cite web|url=http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/bookco/707188.shtml|title=Behr, Edward and Mark Steyn, The Story of Miss Saigon, New York: Arcade Publishing, 1991] [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097492/|title=IMDb: The Heat is On] The members of the panel were impressed with Salonga's rendition of the songs, noting that from Salonga’s very first note, they already knew they had a potential Kim. [cite web|url=http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/bookco/707188.shtml|title=Behr, Edward and Mark Steyn, The Story of Miss Saigon, New York: Arcade Publishing, 1991] [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097492/|title=IMDb: The Heat is On] Salonga competed with childhood friend and fellow Repertory Philippines performer Monique Wilson as they were tested with songs from the musical, which included "Too Much for One Heart," a number replaced by the duet "Please" right before the musical opened. [cite web|url=http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/bookco/707188.shtml|title=Behr, Edward and Mark Steyn, The Story of Miss Saigon, New York: Arcade Publishing, 1991] [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097492/|title=IMDb: The Heat is On] [cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5avKuNGQ_NE|title=YouTube: "Too Much for One Heart" history explained by Lea Salonga in her concert] Salonga was offered the lead role, with Wilson as the alternate (who was also assigned the role of bar girl Mimi). [cite web|url=http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/bookco/707188.shtml|title=Behr, Edward and Mark Steyn, The Story of Miss Saigon, New York: Arcade Publishing, 1991] [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097492/|title=IMDb: The Heat is On] [cite web|url=http://moniquewilson.com/bio2.php|title=Monique Wilson Biography] [cite web|url=http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/2000/0218/people.html|title=Asiaweek: "A Broadway belle hits the books again"]

For her performance as Kim, Salonga won the "Olivier" for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical" for the 1989/1990 season. [] From its original London home, "Miss Saigon" moved to Broadway in April 1991. [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3D8163AF931A35750C0A966958260|title=New York Times: "'Miss Saigon' finds home on Broadway," March 1990] Salonga subsequently garnered the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and the Theatre World Awards for the same role. [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=23104|title=Broadway.com Star Files] [cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=22779|title=Anime News Network: Lea Salonga] [] Between 1993 and 1996, she was asked periodically to play Kim on Broadway to boost ticket sales. [cite web|url=http://www.lesmis.com/pages/news/newsdetail.php?newskey=52|title=Les Miserables: "Tony Award winner to join cast as Fantine," with notes on Miss Saigon] In 1999, she was invited back to London to close the musical, and in 2001, at the age of 29 and after doing the Manila run of the musical, [cite web|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/southeast/12/03/philippines.miss.saigon/index.html|title=CNN: "Musical 'Miss Saigon' opens in the Philippines, home of its leading ladies"] Salonga returned to Broadway to close the Broadway production. [cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Arts/01/16/miss.saigon/index.html|title=CNN: "Miss Saigon star returns"]

Between opening Miss Saigon in 1989 and closing it on Broadway 12 years later in 2001, Salonga became involved in other musical productions and projects:

In 1990, she performed in a major homecoming concert in Manila entitled "A Miss Called Lea". [cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/69/Lea-Salonga.html|title=Film Reference: Lea Salonga] She also received a "Presidential Award of Merit" from Philippine president Corazon Aquino. [cite web|url=http://www.audreymagazine.com/February2005/Features01.asp|title=Audrey Magazine: "The Entertainer"]

In 1993, upon completion of her initial stint as Kim on Broadway, Salonga played the role of street waif Eponine in the Broadway production of "Les Misérables", [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106365.html|title=Playbill: "Lea Salonga in Les Miserables"] [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=21020|title=Broadway.com: Q&A with Lea Salonga] and later flew to Los Angeles to perform the song "A Whole New World" of Disney's "Aladdin" (Salonga is the singing voice of Princess Jasmine) with Brad Kane at the 65th Annual Academy Awards, [cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPmK0_1l-Bg|title=YouTube: "A Whole New World" at the Oscar Awards] where the song won an Oscar. [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103639/awards|title=IMDb: Aladdin] That same year, she released her self-titled international debut album with Atlantic Records, which had modest sales in the USA but went platinum in the Philippines and sold 3 million copies worldwide. [cite web|url=http://www.celebritiesph.com/actresses/filipino-actresses/lea-salonga.html|title=Wow Celebrities: Lea Salonga]

In 1994, Salonga played in various musical theater productions in the Philippines and Singapore. [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=23104|title=Broadway.com Star Files] [cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=aIu8qmB_wxEC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=lea+salonga+age+of+seven+biography&source=web&ots=rRix9KqXss&sig=TrTVhUCpX3zdSBGuPv5-iinCALE#PPA4,M1|title="The Right Way to Sing" by Linda Marquart: Lea Salonga Biography] She starred as Sandy in "Grease", [] as Sonia Walks in "They're Playing Our Song", [cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2000/08/15/salonga.t.php?page=1|title=International Herald Tribune: "Lea Salonga, at Home and Playing Her Own Song"] and as The Witch in "Into The Woods". [cite web|url=http://www.srt.com.sg/03/html/Productions/woods.html|title=Singapore Repertory Theatre: Into the Woods]

In 1995, Salonga, back in the U.S., played the role of Geri Riordan, an 18-year-old adopted Vietnamese American child in the movie "Redwood Curtain", which starred John Lithgow and Jeff Daniels. [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114252/|title=IMDb: Redwood Curtain] She then flew back to the Philippines to star with Filipino matinee idol Aga Muhlach in the critically-acclaimed film "Sana Maulit Muli", [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220018/|title=IMDb: Sana Maulit Muli] which gave her her second Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) award nomination, this time for Best Actress. [cite web|url=http://us.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/FAMAS_Awards/1996|title=IMDb: FAMAS Awards] She accepted an invitation from Sir Cameron Mackintosh to play the role of Eponine in the Les Miserable'slegendary 10th anniversary presentation called "Les Miserables in Concert" at London's Royal Albert Hall. Salonga performed as part of a "dream cast" composed of Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball, Judy Kuhn, and Philip Quast. [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113637/|title=IMDb: Les Miserables in Concert] [cite web|url=http://www.lesmis.com/pages/news/newsdetail.php?newskey=52|title=Les Miserables: "Tony Award winner to join the cast as Fantine"]

In 1996, Salonga was in Les Miserables once again. She played Eponine in the London production of the musical, then continued on to do the role in the musical's U.S. national tour in Hawaii. [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=23104|title=Broadway.com Star Files]

From 1997 to 2000, Salonga kept herself busy with recordings and concerts in the Philippines and another engagement in London, in addition to her periodic returns to Miss Saigon in London and on Broadway. In 1997, she released "I'd Like to Teach The World to Sing" (recordings from her childhood days) to gold sales in the Philippines. [] [cite web|url=http://www.mp3.com/albums/528331/summary.html|title=MP3.com: Lea Salonga - I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing] That recording was followed by "Lea...In Love" in 1998 [cite web|url=http://www.inquirer.net/saturday/jan99wk1/spc_main.htm|title=Philippine Daily Inquirer: "10: The Best of 1998"] and "By Heart" in 2000, with both albums reaching multiple platinum status in the Philippines. [cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/lea-salonga/person/92158/biography.html|title=TV.com: Lea Salonga] In addition to the release of these albums, she participated in the major tribute concert to Sir Cameron Mackintosh in London called "Hey Mr. Producer: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh," where she did numbers from different musicals mounted by the famous producer. [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/39076.html|title=Playbill: "Judi Dench, Bernadette Peters to join Lea Salonga in London benefit"] [cite web|url=http://www.albemarle-london.com/Archive/ArchiveShow.php?Show_Name=Hey%20Mr%20Producer!|title=Albermarle of London: Hey Mr. Producer!] [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=33514|title=Broadway.com: "DVDs: Mackintosh's Salad Days"] She also performed in four concerts: "The Homecoming Concert", "The Millennium Concert", "The Best of Manila", and "Songs from the Screen" - the last two being benefit shows. [cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/69/Lea-Salonga.html|title=Film Reference: Lea Salonga] Salonga closed the millennium with a grand "Miss Saigon" "homecoming" via the Manila production of the musical staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines at the end of 2000. [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/54813.html|title=Playbill: "She will be Miss Saigon again: Salonga to be Kim in October Manila mounting"]

After Miss Saigon's closing on Broadway in 2001, Salonga recreated the role of Lien Hughes originally played by Ming-Na Wen in the soap opera "As The World Turns". (After completing her contract that year, she was asked to return to the role in 2003.) [cite web|url=http://www.soapcentral.com/atwt/theactors/salonga.php|title=Soap Central: Lea Salonga] [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/77449.html|title=Playbill: "Lea Salonga does double-duty: "Flower Drum Song" and "As the World Turns""] She also guested on Russell Watson's "The Voice" concert, narrated for the television special "My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States", and appeared on the Christmas episode of the TV medical drama E.R., playing the role of a patient with lymphoma. [cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/69/Lea-Salonga.html|title=Film Reference: Lea Salonga] [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0758964/filmokey|title=IMDb: Lea Salonga]

In 2002, Salonga returned to Broadway to play the role of a Chinese immigrant in a reinterpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Flower Drum Song" opposite Jose Llana. [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=21020|title=Broadway.com: Q&A with Lea Salonga] This was after the reinvented musical had a very successful run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 2001 with Salonga playing the lead role [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=5316|title=Broadway.com: "Lea Salonga confirmed for Flower Drum Song"] [cite web|url=http://asianweek.com/2002_10_11/feature.html|title=Asian Week: "Making Musical History"] [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/72773.html|title=Playbill: "The 'Flower' blooms: Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Drum Song' opens Oct. 17 on Broadway"] and with the show garnering multiple wins and nominations, including Lead Actress in a Musical for Salonga, from the Theatre Los Angeles Ovation Awards. [cite web|url=http://www.aldrichpr.com/TLA_FILES/Clips,%20TLA/02OvationNomPlaybill.pdf|title=Playbill: "...Salonga...honored with LA Ovation nominations"|format=PDF] [cite web|url=http://www.ebalita.net/go/news/printnews.php?id=444|title=eBalita: "Salonga wins nomination for best actress in LA"] The show, given a brand new libretto and considered one of the 10 best plays on Broadway in 2002 by "Time Magazine", [cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/bestandworst/2002/theater.html|title=Time Magazine Best + Worst 2002: "The Best in Theater"] garnered Tony Award nominations for "Best Book", "Best Costume Designer", and "Best Choreographer", [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/79503.html|title=Playbill: "Just the nominees, please: 2003 Tony Award nominations announced"] and earned nominations from the Outer Critics Circle, [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/79086.html|title=Playbill: "Outer Critics Circle noms announced..."] the Drama League, [cite web|url=http://www.broadwaytovegas.com/dramaleague.html|title=Broadwaytovegas.com: "The 2003 Drama League nominees and winners are..."] the Astaire Awards, [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/79393.html|title=Playbill: "Winokur, Longbottom, Burtka, Movin' Out among 2003 TDF/Astaire Award nominees"] and Broadway.com's Audience Awards and Broadwayworld.com's Fans' Choice Awards as well. [cite web|url=http://www.broadwaystars.com/alper/2003awards/Awards03-pt3.html|title=Broadway Stars: The Chart of New York Theatrical Awards 2003] The Salonga-led Broadway revival cast album was also a top contender at the 2003 Grammy Awards for "Best Musical Show Album". [cite web|url=http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/4167|title=Theater Mania: "Five musical show albums nominated for Grammy Awards"] While Ms. Salonga's performance was received positively by theater critics such as Matthew Murray, Heather Cross, Patrick Purdon, and John Simon, among others, she was not nominated at the Tony Awards for her brief stint on Broadway that season, although she did get nominations for "Distinguished Performance" from the Drama League, for "Favorite Lead Actress in a Broadway Musical" from Broadway.com's Audience Awards, and for "Best Lead Actress in a Musical" from Broadwayworld.com's Fans' Choice Awards. [cite web|url=http://www.broadwaystars.com/alper/2003awards/Awards03-pt3.html|title=Broadway Stars: The Chart of New York Theatrical Awards 2003] Between the 2001 Los Angeles and 2002 Broadway productions of Flower Drum Song, she performed in a non-musical theatrical production for the first time, playing the role of Catherine in the stage play "Proof" in Manila. [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=23104|title=Broadway.com Star Files] This was followed by a major concert, "The Broadway Concert", [cite web|url=http://imdb.com/title/tt0441133/soundtrack|title=IMDb: Lea Salonga - The Broadway Concert] at the Philippine International Convention Center. She also sang with Harry Connick, Peter Gallagher, and Michelle Lee in a tribute number for Richard Rodgers at the 56th Tony Awards. [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0758964/|title=IMDb: Lea Salonga]

In 2003, Salonga was back in Manila to do her first "all-Filipino" concert called "Songs from Home", which later won for her another "Aliw Award" as "Entertainer of the Year" (she had won it the year prior). [cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/|title=The Philippine Star: "The 17th Annual Aliw Awards," Aug. 21, 2004] [cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/08/06/ENTR2004080615625.html|title=The Manila Bulletin: "17th Aliw Awards names the best" Aug. 6, 2004] Upon her return to the U.S., she performed in several shows at the Mohegan Sun in Montville, Connecticut. This was followed by a Christmas concert in the Philippines called "Home for Christmas" at the end of the year, which captured the critics' notice at the 18th "Aliw Awards", [cite web|url=http://www.titikpilipino.com/news/?aid=515|title=Titik Pilipino: "18th Aliw Awards announces this year's nominations" July 26, 2005] and performances at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center in Marlton, New Jersey the following year, in 2004. [cite web|url=http://www.carouselpinoy.com/leacaroustar.html|title=Carousel Pinoy: Lea Salonga] Later that year, she was back on the stage as Lizzie in the Manila production of the musical " Baby", which earned her yet another nomination from the "Aliw Awards". [cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2004/09/01/ENTR2004090117458.html|title=The Manila Bulletin: "Bringing up Baby"] [cite web|url=http://www.titikpilipino.com/news/?aid=515|title=Titik Pilipino: "18th Aliw Awards announces this year's nominations" July 26, 2005] In 2005, Salonga played her first US concert tour in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlantic City, and Chicago. [cite web|url=http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/5598|title=Theater Mania: "Lea Salonga hits the road"] [cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=2439|title=Broadway World: "Lea Salonga in Concert"] [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Photo_Op.aspx?ci=507228|title= Broadway.com: "Lea Salonga brings down the house in Atlantic City"] Concert dates in Washington, D.C. and Norfolk, Virginia followed. [cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=860515|title=Broadway World: "Lea Salonga Concert - Washington, D.C."] Later that year, Salonga performed with a 26-piece ensemble to a sold-out crowd at the Isaac Stern Hall in Carnegie Hall for the benefit of Diverse City Theater Company. [cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=4365|title=Broadway World: "Lea Salonga makes Carnegie Hall debut Nov. 7"] [cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=5621|title=Broadway World: "An Interview with Lea Salonga"] [cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=5771|title=Broadway World: "Lea Salonga at Carnegie Hall"] [cite web|url=http://www.asianconnections.com/a/?article_id=662|title=Asian Connections: "Lea Salonga takes center stage at Carnegie Hall"] [cite web|url=http://www.diversecitytheater.org/pressandnews/20051108.htm|title=Diverse City Theater: "Lea Salonga triumphs at Carnegie Hall"] Between her concerts, the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) bestowed her with the Golden Artist Award at the 53rd FAMAS Awards in honor of her international achievements. [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/FAMAS_Awards/2005|title=IMDb: FAMAS Awards] [] She performed during the grand opening of Hong Kong's Disneyland [cite web|url=http://english.sina.com/taiwan_hk/1/2005/0909/45382.html|title=The Associated Press (through SINA): "Jacky Cheung, Coco Lee, Lea Salonga to headline Disneyland opening"] and recorded two songs on tenor Daniel Rodriguez's "In the Presence" CD. [cite web|url=http://www.blixstreet.com/daniel_rodriguez_bio.html|title=Blix Street Records: Daniel Rodriguez Profile] That same year, too, Salonga did voice work for Disney's English dub of Hayao Miyazaki's "My Neighbor Totoro" as Mrs. Kusakabe (Salonga's other Disney film credits include the singing voice of Princess Jasmine for "Aladdin" in 1992 and Fa Mulan for "Mulan" and "Mulan II" in 1998 and in 2004, respectively). [cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=aIu8qmB_wxEC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=lea+salonga+age+of+seven+biography&source=web&ots=rRix9KqXss&sig=TrTVhUCpX3zdSBGuPv5-iinCALE#PPA4,M1|title="The Right Way to Sing" by Linda Marquart: Lea Salonga Biography] [cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=22779|title=Anime News Network: Lea Salonga]

In 2006, at the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, Salonga concluded the closing ceremony with the song "Triumph of The One" before an audience of 50,000 people at the Khalifa Stadium. [] [cite web|url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports2_dec15_2006|title=Manila Standard Today: "Lea leads closing program"] [cite web|url=http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=10468_0_1_0_M135|title=Travel Video Television: "Doha Asian Games comes to close amid mythology of 1001 nights"]

In 2007, Salonga released her first studio album in seven years called "Inspired," which has been certified platinum, [cite web|url=http://broadwayasia.squarespace.com|title=Broadway Asia: "Lea on Leadership" from Philippine News] and finished another stint in the musical "Les Misérables" on Broadway, this time as Fantine. [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/104603.html|title=Playbill: "The heat is on: Lea Salonga will be Les Miz's new Fantine"] [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/112046.html|title=Playbill: "Salonga exits Les Miz, making way for Judy Kuhn"] She is slated to appear in a number of musical events scheduled in different countries until 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/SG/event.html|title=ABS-CBN Foundation: Simbang Gabi 2007] [cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/tour/tour_results.jsp?dateSrch=fieldsrch&act=Lea%20Salonga&rqType=flt|title=Billboard.com Tour Finder - Lea Salonga] [cite web|url=http://www.magicwandshows.com/upcomingc.htm|title= Magic Wand Entertainment Upcoming Shows] [cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=15361|title=Broadway World: "Lea Salonga to star in international tour of 'Cinderella'"]

Salonga received the "Order of Lakandula Award" from Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in recognition of her excellence in her craft and for using her talents to benefit Philippine society. [cite web|url=http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=17170|title=Republic of the Philippines website: "PGMA grants Order of Lakandula to Everest conquerors, Salonga"] It was also announced that she would return to Broadway in the musical "Les Misérables", replacing Daphne Rubin-Vega as Fantine on March 6. [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/104603.html|title=Playbill: "The heat is on: Lea Salonga will be Les Miz's new Fantine"] [cite web|url=http://www.lesmisnewyork.com/features/lea_salonga.html|title=Les Miserables New York: "Tony Award winner Lea Salonga joins the cast of Les Miserables as Fantine"] Her tenure started, however, on March 2, four days earlier than planned. [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106180.html|title=Playbill: "Voices soft as thunder: Lea Salonga to make early entrance in Les Miz revival"] [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=544611|title=Broadway.com: "Tony winner Lea Salonga gets early start as new Fantine of Les Miz"] Her casting on the show has been credited with boosting the musical's ticket sales on Broadway. [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=545077|title=Broadway.com: "Broadway Grosses: Lea boosts Les Miz"] [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=545024&pn=1|title=Broadway.com: Q&A with Lea Salonga] On September 27, 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was in New York, watched Salonga in her new role in the musical, whose cast that night included Filipino Americans Adam Jacobs as Marius and Ali Ewoldt as Cosette. [cite web|url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=91076|title= Philippine Daily Inquirer: "Arroyo goes to Broadway, watches Lea Salonga in Les Miz"] [cite web|url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=91229|title=Philippine Daily Inquirer: "Arroyo takes break, is entranced by Lea in ‘Les Miz’"] Her contract with the musical ended on October 21, 2007 and she was succeeded by Broadway's original Cosette Judy Kuhn. [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=552570|title=Broadway.com: "Original Cosette Judy Kuhn will play Fantine in Les Miserables"] [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/112103.html|title=Playbill: "Owen-Jones, Kuhn and Horowitz jump onto Les Miz turntable in NYC"] For her performances in this revival, Salonga received rave reviews and made it again to the short list of Broadway.com's Audience Award favorites -- this time for "Best Replacement" for her new role as Fantine. [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=548026|title=Broadway.com: "Nominees announced for 2007 Broadway.com Audience Awards"] [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106403.html|title=Playbill: "Diva Talk: Chatting with Les Miz star Lea Salonga, plus news of LuPone, Cook, and Kuhn"] [cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=545024&pn=1|title=Broadway.com: Q&A with Lea Salonga] During her stint on Broadway this season, she appeared on Broadway on Broadway 2007 [cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=21428|title=Broadway World: Photo Coverage of Broadway on Broadway 2007] and Stars in the Alley 2007, [cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=19035|title=Broadway World: Photo Coverage of Stars in the Alley 2007] spoke at the Broadway Artists Alliance Summer Intensives, [cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=20774|title=Broadway World: Photo Coverage of Lea Salonga at Artists Alliance] guested on the Broadway musical 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106568.html|title=Playbill: "Salonga joins Esparza & Mitchell for "Broadway Night" at Spelling Bee"] and participated in Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS' "12th Annual Nothing Like A Dame" event to benefit the women's health initiative of The Actors Fund. [cite web|url= http://www.broadwaycares.org/events/Dames2007.cfm|title=Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS: Nothing Like A Dame] [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/106403.html|title=Playbill: "Diva Talk: Chatting with Les Miz star Lea Salonga, plus news of LuPone, Cook, and Kuhn"] Right after doing Les Misérables, she performed in two events: at the US Military Academy Band's concert in West Point where she sang four songs and an encore [cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/band/event.htm|title=U.S. Military Academy Band "Come hear the voice of Mulan and Jasmine..."] and in her own concert at the Tarrytown Music Hall in New York. [cite web|url=http://tickets.tarrytownmusichall.org/|title=Tarrytown Music Hall: "Lea Salonga in Concert"]

As of November 2007, a number of performances were scheduled for the rest of the year and for 2008, including a Christmas presentation in Manila, [cite web|url=http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/SG/event.html|title=ABS-CBN Foundation: Simbang Gabi 2007] [cite web|url=http://www.asianjournal.com/data/PDF/2007_SF/2007_11_09/2007_11_09_SF_sec2p%201.pdf|title=Asian Journal: "Simbang Gabi with Lea Salonga"|format=PDF] concerts in other parts of the Philippines and in California, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Guam [cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/tour/tour_results.jsp?dateSrch=fieldsrch&act=Lea%20Salonga&rqType=flt|title=Billboard.com Tour Finder - Lea Salonga] [cite web|url=http://www.philippinepressclub.com/2007/12/lea-salonga-at-san-manuel-casino.html|title=Philippine Press Club: "Lea Salonga at San Manuel Casino January 3, 2008"] [cite web|url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=115380|title=Philippine Daily Inquirer: "Lea Salonga sings to thousands in Bacolod"] [cite web|url=http://www.hkpo.com/eng/concerts_and_ticket/concerts/concertdetail.jsp?id=77|title=Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra: Lea Salonga - The Voice of Mulan] [cite web|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Jan/31/br/br3129784056.html|title=The Honolulu Advertiser: "Tony-winning Lea Salonga to give four concerts in Hawaii"] [cite web|url=http://www.magicwandshows.com/upcomingc.htm|title= Magic Wand Entertainment Upcoming Shows] [cite web|url=http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080301/LIFESTYLE/80301005|title=Guam Pacific Daily News: "Broadway and Philippine star Lea Salonga to perform at Sheraton Laguna tonight"] [cite web|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Mar/03/br/hawaii80303044.html|title=The Honolulu Advertiser: "Lea Salonga adds new Sunday concert at Blaisdell"] and Broadway Asia Entertainment's international tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, where she plays the lead. [cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=15361|title=Broadway World: "Lea Salonga to star in international tour of 'Cinderella'"] [cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2007/09/22/ENTR20070922103538.html|title=The Manila Bulletin: "Cinderella in Manila - Lea Salonga starring"]

In her 30-year career thus far, Salonga has performed for five Philippine presidents (from Ferdinand Marcos to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo), three American Presidents (George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush), and for Princess Diana and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. [cite web|url=http://www.filipinoweb.com/leasalonga.html|title=Filipino Web: Lea Salonga] [cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=aIu8qmB_wxEC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=lea+salonga+age+of+seven+biography&source=web&ots=rRix9KqXss&sig=TrTVhUCpX3zdSBGuPv5-iinCALE#PPA4,M1|title="The Right Way to Sing" by Linda Marquart: Lea Salonga Biography]

In 2007, Salonga released her first studio album in seven years called "Inspired," which has been certified platinum, [cite web|url=http://broadwayasia.squarespace.com|title=Broadway Asia: "Lea on Leadership" from Philippine News] and finished another stint in the musical "Les Misérables" on Broadway, this time as Fantine. [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/104603.html|title=Playbill: "The heat is on: Lea Salonga will be Les Miz's new Fantine"] [cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/112046.html|title=Playbill: "Salonga exits Les Miz, making way for Judy Kuhn"] She is slated to appear in a number of musical events scheduled in different countries until 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/SG/event.html|title=ABS-CBN Foundation: Simbang Gabi 2007] [cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/tour/tour_results.jsp?dateSrch=fieldsrch&act=Lea%20Salonga&rqType=flt|title=Billboard.com Tour Finder - Lea Salonga] [cite web|url=http://www.magicwandshows.com/upcomingc.htm|title= Magic Wand Entertainment Upcoming Shows] [cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=15361|title=Broadway World: "Lea Salonga to star in international tour of 'Cinderella'"]

Salonga, on July 3, 2008 started writing as columnist in Philippine Daily Inquirer - “Backstory” (Entertainment section), "Introducing: Lea Salonga, writer." [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080703-146131/Lea-Salonga-the-writer-debuts-in-PDI newsinfo.inquirer.net, Lea Salonga, the writer, debuts in PDI] ] She will perform in "Global Pop" at the Music Center on July 11, 2008. It is presented by The Blue Ribbon a group founded by Dorothy Chandler in 1968. [ [http://www.downtownlascene.com/index.php/scene/news_item/31703/ downtownlascene.com, Rock, Pop & Jazz] ]

Backed by an orchestra of 19 musicians, Lea Salonga received a standing ovation for her historic solo concert (Tickets, priced $ 30 - $ 115), at Frank Gehry’s masterpiece on July 11 at Los Angeles’ iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. Salonga also performed part of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “There’s Music in You,” as preview of her coming show “Cinderella,” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 29. [ [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119374.html playbill.com, playbill.com, Tony Winner Salonga Plays Disney Concert Hall July 11] ] [ [http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080714-148268/Standing-ovation-for-Lea-Salonga-in-historic-concert showbizandstyle.inquirer.net, Standing ovation for Lea Salonga in historic concert] ] [ [http://pinoyreport.com/atbp.aspx Pinoyreport.com, Lea Salonga...a Concert worth taking your daughter to] ]

Personal life

Lea Salonga is the eldest child of Feliciano Genuino Salonga and Ligaya Alcantara Imutan and spent the first six years of her childhood in Angeles City before moving to Manila. [cite web|url=http://www.filipinoweb.com/leasalonga.html|title=Filipino Web: Lea Salonga] She is a sister of composer Gerard Salonga and granddaughter of former Senate President Jovito Salonga. [] [cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/69/Lea-Salonga.html|title=Film Reference: Lea Salonga Biography]

She studied at the O. B. Montessori Center in Greenhills, Metro Manila, [cite web|url=http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/ht/ht005316.htm|title=Article on Preciosa Soliven, with notes on Lea Salonga] where she was a Bergamo 1 Student and an active participant in school productions. She also attended the University of the Philippines College of Music's extension program aimed at training musically talented children in music and stage movement. She was a college freshman at the Ateneo de Manila University when she auditioned for Miss Saigon [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0758964/bio|title=IMDb: Lea Salonga] and attended Fordham University when she was in New York. [cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=22779|title=Anime News Network: Lea Salonga]

On January 10, 2004, Salonga married Robert Charles Chien, a Chinese-Japanese managing director of an entertainment software company in Los Angeles, California, whom she met while doing Flower Drum Song. [cite web|url=http://www.newsflash.org/2002/08/sb/sb002334.htm|title=Newsflash.org: "A Whole New World for Lea Salonga"] [cite web|url=http://www.audreymagazine.com/February2005/Features01.asp|title=Audrey Magazine: "The Entertainer"] They have a daughter, Nicole Beverly, born on May 16, 2006 and named after Salonga's late mother-in-law, Beverly Chien. [cite web|url=http://www.catholicdigest.com/article/print/this-is-the-career-god-has-chosen-for-me|title=Catholic Digest: "This is the career God has chosen for me"]

Discography

*"Small Voice" (1981)
*"Lea" (1988)
*"Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast)" (1990)
*"The King And I (1992 Hollywood Studio Cast)" (1992)
*"Aladdin (soundtrack)" (1992)
*"Lea Salonga" (1993)
*"Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert" (1995)
*"I'd Like to Teach The World to Sing" (1997)
*"Mulan (soundtrack)" (1998)
*"By Heart" (1999)
*"Lea...In Love" (1999)
*"Lea Salonga Live Vol. 1" (2000)
*"Lea Salonga Live Vol. 2" (2000)
*"" (2000)
*"Songs from The Screen" (2001)
*"The Broadway Concert" (2002)
*"Flower Drum Song (2002 Broadway Revival Cast)" (2003)
*"100% Lea Gives Her Best" (2003)
*"" (2004)
*"Mulan II (soundtrack)" (2005)
*"Awakening (Jennifer Paz)" (2006)
*"The Ultimate OPM Collection" (2007)
*"Inspired" (2007)

Filmography

* Cinderella
*"" (2007) - singing voice of Princess Jasmine
*"Mulan 2" (2005) - singing voice of Fa Mulan
*"Tonari no Totoro" / "My Neighbor Totoro" (2004) - voice of Mrs. Kusakabe in the Disney English language version
*"Mickey's PhilharMagic" (2003) (voice) (uncredited)
*"Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge" (2001) - singing voice of Princess Jasmine
*"Mulan" (1998) - singing voice of Mulan
*"Sana Maulit Muli" / Hopefully, Once More (1995)
*"Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal / Why Do I Love You So Much" (1992)
*"Aladdin" (1992) - singing voice of Princess Jasmine
*"Dear Diary" (1989)
*"Pik Pak Boom" (1989)
*"Ninja Kids" (1986)
*"Captain Barbell / Mars Ravelo's Captain Barbell" (1986)
*"Like Father, Like Son" (1985)
*"Tropang Bulilit" (1981)
*"Reading Rainbow (????) - Read/Told the story, "Silent Lotus"

External links

* [http://www.leasalonga.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=76739/ Lea Salonga] at Internet Broadway Database
*imdb name|0758964|Lea Salonga
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE6DB163AF934A25750C0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print "New York Times" article on Lea Salonga prior to Broadway casting as Kim, March 1991]
* [http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9D0CE4DB1E3CF931A25757C0A967958260 "New York Times" review of "Miss Saigon" on Broadway, April 1991]
* [http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/southeast/12/03/philippines.miss.saigon/index.html "CNN" news and video on "Miss Saigon"'s Manila production, December 2000]
* [http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/la/la30.html "Talkin' Broadway" review of "Flower Drum Song" revival, October 2001]
* [http://insideweddings.com/real-weddings/91/a-melody-of-love/ Lea Salonga's wedding to Robert Chien on the cover of "Inside Weddings", January 2004]
* [http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/lsalonga/carnegie.html Different reviews of Lea Salonga's concert at New York's Carnegie Hall, November 2005]
* [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=545024 Q&A: Lea Salonga for "Les Miserables"] at [http://www.broadway.com Broadway.com, March 2007]
* [http://arts.monstersandcritics.com/reviews/article_1282722.php "Monsters and Critics" review of new, scaled-down version of "Les Miserables" on Broadway, March 2007]
* [http://broadwayasia.squarespace.com/ "Broadway Asia" article on casting of Lea Salonga's partner for "Cinderella", January 2008]
* [http://starbulletin.com/2008/03/07/features/story03.html "Star Bulletin" interview with Lea Salonga for Hawaii concert series, March 2008]
* [http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Entertainment&p=49&type=2&sec=31&aid=2008040945 "Philippine Star" article on Lea Salonga's portrayal of title role in "Cinderella", April 2008]

References

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Persondata
NAME= Salonga, Lea
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Salonga, Maria Lea Carmen Imutan
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Award wining Filipino singer and actress
DATE OF BIRTH= 1971-2-22
PLACE OF BIRTH= Angeles City and Manila, Philippines
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=