Article from Philippine Daily Inquirer URL is http://www.inq7.net/ent/2001/feb/28/ent_1-1.htm Thanks to Kay for this information! Pinoy actor in ‘Cinderella’ charms Canadian critics By Janet C. Garcia Inquirer News Service PROUD TO BE PINOY. Paolo Montalban says Filipinos should be proud of who they are. TORONTO -- Paolo Montalban’s charisma and talent charmed the audience here as he portrayed the role of The Prince in the musical play "Cinderella," which ran from Jan. 30 to Feb. 4 at the historic Pantages Theater. The play, created almost half a century ago originally for television by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, was not a hit among Canadian theater critics. But the Manila-born Montalban, who performed with Grammy awardee and seasoned actress Eartha Kitt (as the fairy godmother) and pop singer Deborah Gibson (as Cinderella), saved the day. A critic from the Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, said all performers failed but Montalban, who debuted as The Prince in the ABC/Disney-produced TV special Cinderella four years ago. "The most successful is Paolo Montalban as the prince," said Globe and Mail’s Ray Conlogue. "His strategy is to act like a well-mannered Yale undergrad who has wandered by accident into the chronic ward of a mental hospital. He sings with a pellucid sincerity that Rodgers and Hammerstein would have admired." Toronto Star’s Richard Ouzounian believed that the play almost lost its fairy tale charm and timeless beauty because of its ultramodern components, from the neon-colored costumes of the villains (the stepmother and stepsisters) to Gibson’s style of singing, which still clings to pop. But Ouzounian was impressed by Montalban. "On the positive side, I enjoyed the performance of Paolo Montalban as the Prince, although his sincerity seemed to have wandered in from another far more appropriate production," he wrote. The National Post’s Robert Cushman simply thought that Montalban, 27, "was pleasant enough" to be The Prince. Role of a lifetime Tall, dark and handsome Montalban debunked the notion that The Prince was Caucasian when he appeared with Brandy (as Cinderella), Whitney Houston (as fairy godmother) and Whoopi Goldberg (as the Queen) in the TV version of "Cinderella" in 1997. The psychology graduate, who has been on stage for almost 10 years now, said he feels more comfortable acting as The Prince. "I love it," Montalban said. "It’s the role of the lifetime." On stage, he had been part of productions such as "King and I" (on Broadway), "Man of La Mancha," "Ballad of Little Jo," "Nine" and the "Flower Drum Song." After "Cinderella," which will be presented in 20 more North American cities, Montalban said he would try out again for the role of an American-born Chinese circa 1959 in "Flower Drum Song" for its Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City productions. Beautiful people He also finished a Laurice Guillen film called "Magic Adobo," which tackles the lives of four Pinoys in New York. "It’s an ensemble kind of movie, a comic relief just like ‘Soul Food’ and ‘The Big Chill,’" he said. On TV, Montalban was also seen as Kung Lao in the WB series "Mortal Conquest," where he showed his martial arts prowess. Although he has been fortunate to depict different characters, the 6’1" actor craves to play Dr. Jose Rizal on stage. Montalban was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in 1998 but he said he’s got flaws too. "One of my eyes is lower than the other. I also have a really big head. It’s huge. And I have broad shoulders. But I disappear when I turn sideways." Montalban, who plays six musical instruments and whose parents Paul and Vivian are chemists, grew up in New Jersey. Being proud He said being a Filipino is an asset in his acting career. "Filipinos should not think that they would not be hired because of race," he said. "That’s a wrong attitude. We should be proud of who we are." In 1999, he went to Manila and was amazed by Filipino talents. "They sing and dance well." To be in his place, he said, they should remember two things: "Patience and hard work." "This whole business is about luck so it’s better to be prepared when opportunities come by," he said. He said he would be willing to help Filipinos make it big in the field of acting. And, like the good characters in "Cinderella," he would like to see them live happily ever after.