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This February, Gian Magdangal can be seen in a new theater production: 'RENT'! Find out how he got the role of rock star Roger.
This February, Gian Magdangal can be seen in a new theater production: RENT! Find out how he got the role of rock star Roger, and what he's doing to prepare for the role—in this iGMA.tv exclusive interview! Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photo by Mitch S. Mauricio. After starring in West Side Story back in 2008, Gian Magdangal is once again returning to his theater roots through 9 Works Theatrical production of RENT. "I'm playing the role of Roger [Davis], the rock star who is HIV positive in the play," Gian tells us during our exclusive interview with him. He adds that he feels very honored, "at the same time, pressured," to be part of the restaging of the hit musical here in the Philippines. He says of the former ensemble cast, "it's really a tough act to follow." Couple that with RENT being an iconic play, as Gian describes it, "talagang it should really be done well. Kailangan maganda 'yung pagkagawa." With the role of Roger, and Riff in West Side Story, we asked Gian kung sa tingin ba niya nalilinya siya sa characters with the bad boy image. "I don't know," he answers honestly. "Maybe because it goes with the music that I've been projecting. Probably." Idinagdag pa ni Gian na the producers must've seen something in him—because he had to audition for the role. "Hindi naman ‘yun dahil may pangalan [ako] or anything," he explains to us. "It's because of the audition. In theater, ganoon naman e." For the role of Roger, Gian says he's preparing himself physically and vocally. The musical RENT has a very energetic vibe that would leave even the most fit person panting—and so Gian is hitting the gym "to get really, really fit for the play. Kasi it calls for it." He adds that he's also started getting voice lessons again, "balik sa training—lahat talaga." He's also preparing himself to act as a romantic lead to one of his relatives! "I found out that one of the actresses playing Mimi is one of my distant cousins!" Gian says his fans would just have to see how their romantic chemistry would be developed, but he's sure "it will go well as the rehearsals progress." All he can say for now is that "you can't rush theater." So to Gian's fans who miss seeing him act, he has this to say: "they can see me sing, act and perform—in RENT." He adds that he might also go back to television when he gets offers, but for now his fans could catch him in the musical production. RENT runs all weekends of February at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza, starting February 5. Want Gian's personal invite? Watch this! Of course, you can continue to catch Gian every Sunday on SOP Fully Charged. And you'll always be updated with what he's doing through Fanatxt. Just text GIAN ON and send to 4627 for all telcos. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for Globe, Smart, and Talk N Text, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is exclusive for the Philippines only.) Pag-usapan si Gian at ang kanyang latest project sa mas pinagandang iGMA forums! Not yet a member? Register here!