Audition photos of Atasha Muhlach were released
A controversy surfaced surrounding the theater stint of actress-host Atasha Muhlach as she was chosen to portray Annie Batungbakal in the musical ‘Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical.’
Being chosen to be the lead star in a musical of the stage adaptation of “Annie Batungbakal,” the 1979 musical-comedy film starring National Artist Nora Aunor and featuring the music of Hotdog, Atasha, in her early years in showbiz, has achieved a remarkable milestone.
Her fans celebrated this milestone, but some negative comments surfaced online, especially when former Idol Philippines S1 and Tawag ng Tanghalan contestant Rachel Libres, who also auditioned for the Annie Batungbakal musical, revealed that during the two-day audition, she did not see Atasha auditioning for the lead role.
With this, the daughter of showbiz veterans Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez received criticism. Some commented that “nepotism” paved the way for Atasha Muhlach to get the role, and for some, she is not yet well-equipped to portray a challenging character.
However, this was debunked by The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), based on the article in The Philippine Star.
PETA president and PETA Plus program director Melvin Lee shared photos taken during Atasha’s audition. “Atasha delivered a strong audition, showcasing solid singing, dancing, and stage presence. She displayed natural chemistry with the male actors and blended seamlessly with the ensemble of triple-threat theater performers,” the PETA official stated.
Lee also said that the young celebrity “brought charisma, warmth, and panache,” which are the traits that highlighted the lead character. He added that Atasha proved that she was the strong choice for the role.
The director of the musical, veteran theater director Chris Millado, shared some details about Atasha’s audition.
“She walked in like nobody. Gym pants. Plain tee. Bare face. Ponytail. No entourage. No arte. Then the music hit. She caught the choreography on the first eight-count and slid into the song’s high notes like they were made for her. She matched the leading boys’ swoony charm and swagger,” the theater director said.
Millado also shared his first impressions of Atasha Muhlach and his leading men in the musical. “First impressions? Sometimes, they bring their own invisible spotlight with them,” the director said.