The musical, “Marco Polo: An Untold Love Story,” which hopes to make it to London’s West End, will hold international previews in Manila on March 25-26, 8 p.m., at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and in Paris at Le Vingtieme Theater, June 17-21.

 

Author, composer and lyricist Rogelio Saldo Chua, who also serves as the musical’s artistic director, said the two-hour international preview will showcase major passages, highlighting dramatic conflict, extensive orchestration, and modern choreography.

 

To be presented by Artist Theater Company, “Marco Polo” tells of the love affair between Venetian explorer Marco Polo and Kublai Khan’s daughter Princess Kogajin.

 

The musical is loosely based on “The Travels of Marco Polo.” Marco Polo was the 13th-century adventurer whose travels around Asia radically changed the way the West looked at the East.

 

Playing Marco Polo is model and actor Jonathan Wagner. He studied at the International Music Theater School of Paris and has recently played Jamie in “The Last 5 Years,” produced by American Theater Live!.

 

Meanwhile, Princess Kogajin will be played by Filipino-American singer Stephanie Reese. She has played numerous roles such as Kim of “Miss Saigon,” Esmeralda of “Hunchback of Notre Dame” and Princess Tuptim of the “Kind and I.”

 

Reese has also performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and on West End.

 

Other Filipinos in the cast are singer Kuya Manzano and veteran stage actors Chinggoy Alonso and Pinky Marquez.

 

Manzano, who has been performing on stage in Spain, Portugal, Holland and China, will portray Kublai Khan. Alonso will play different roles such as Marco Polo’s father Nicollo, the narrator and twin parts of Rustigielo, while Marquez will take the role of Empress Wu, Princess Kogajin’s mother.

 

 

 

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