EXCLUSIVE: Markki Stroem is excited to play a superhero in new Tagalog musical

As part of Dalanghita Productions' upcoming musical Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady, Markki Stroem admitted he is excited to play the role of a superhero. “What's interesting is that Carrie was the telekinetic character in the last play I did and now in this play my role Leading Man is the telekinetic one. The reason he's called Leading Man is because his ring can lead things and he's the newest member of the team. He still doesn't know if he fits in and he lost a lot of things back home before,” he told Push.com.ph.

The 28-year-old singer-actor said he has always enjoyed being part of local productions. “This is my first Tagalog musical. It's such a great experience to like also witness the talent of the Filipino theater companies. I haven't really been able to watch many Filipino musicals but listening to this cast, wow I really need to start watching a lot of musicals. They're just brilliant and of course with this director Chris Martinez he's really helped me out in a lot of ways. Sometimes I just go beside him and talk to him about my character. It really helped me out and I salute you for being a great director. I don't speak Tagalog here but next time I want to do a Filipino musical. As in diretsong Tagalog kung kaya ko. Hinay-hinay lang. Pero dito may song kami na Tagalog sa dulo,” he admitted.

For his role as the newest member of Fuerza Filipinas, a group of superheroes tasked to save the world, Markki said he had to look the part. “I always try to keep in shape whenever I can and I have a scene where it's a skinny-dipping scene so I'm in a towel so I have to really have a good body. So before this I did Crossfit and then I go straight to rehearsals. I do Crossfit everyday except Sundays and on Sundays I run,” he shared.

In the musical, Markki gets to work with singers Bituin Escalanta and Frenchie Dy who both alternate for the lead role of Mely, the household helper of their superhero league. “Oh they're beautiful actors and they're so giving. Whenever we have conversations, they're always supporting. If we're not taking a scene we go out and read lines. They impart stuff especially Bituin because she's been around longer. It's an experience also with tita Menchu Lauchengo-Yulo. I've worked with her four times and every single time she's always helping. If I have a question she will always help. That's what I love about theater, it's a collaborative effort,” he added.

With Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady set to run from May 7 to June 7 at the PETA theater in Quezon City, Markki said his other showbiz commitments will have to take a backseat. “For now kapag nag-te-teatro ako I usually do gigs lang. And I have an album I am working on. Pero usually just gigs and then when I finish doing something I want to focus on one thing and then move on to the next thing and focus on that. But I had a movie earlier this year which was Halik Sa Hangin and then Deal or No Deal and then this play. I like being able to go back and forth,” he admitted.

According to the half-Pinoy, half-Norwegian artist, his personal life is also happy right now even though he would not divulge the name of his constant date. “My love life? Masaya naman. I'm single (laughs). Dating a little bit. Non-showbiz, she's from theater,” he shared. Markki admitted that dating a non-showbiz girl has it's advantages, “I guess it's more easy to go out and have conversations because you can be yourself with them and it was just her birthday recently so we celebrated.”