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Markki Stroem makes his straight play debut in 'Angels in America'

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Totel V. De Jesus

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/03/23/markki-stroem-1.jpg"/><figcaption>Markki Stroem in a scene with Angeli Bayani in Atlantis&#x27; &quot;Angels of America.&quot;<em> Photo courtesy of Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group</em></figcaption></figure></div><p><br/>MANILA -- In the movies, playing a gay role seemed like second nature to actor-singer Markki Stroem.</p><p>From Cinema One Originals&#x27; &quot;Slumber Party&quot; in 2017 to &quot;Star Cinema&#x27;s&quot; rom-com last year, the Julia Barretto-Joshua Garcia topbilled &quot;I Love You, Hater,&quot; this Kapamilya talent never fails to make an indelible mark among movie fans.</p><p>It was not so long ago when he came into our national consciousness via &quot;Pilipinas Got Talent&quot; in 2010. Hosts Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford described him as someone whose gaze or eyes women should avoid looking into because, like a superhero, they could be hypnotized and easily fall for him. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w-QskDW_1CY?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>But beyond that showbiz persona, Stroem is a devoted disciple of theater.</p><p>In the realm of musical theater, to be exact, Stroem has been synonymous with musicals and playing straight guy, mostly on the romantic side. </p><p>We remember the Carlo Vergara-Vince de Jesus original musical, &quot;Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady,&quot; where he plays, well, the superhero Leading Man. </p><p>How can we forget the character of Bituin Escalante telling him in the final scene, &quot;Lahat ng lang sa &#x27;yo, malaki. (Everything about you is huge.)&quot;</p><p>True enough, Stroem is bigger than his life in the movies and television.</p><p>In the past nine years, he&#x27;s done acclaimed hit musicals. For Atlantis Theatricals, he&#x27;s acted in &quot;Next To Normal,&quot; &quot;Carrie,&quot; &quot;Jersey Boys&quot; and &quot;Side Show.&quot; With Repertory Philippines, he&#x27;s done &quot;Camp Rock&quot; and &quot;Hair.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/lifestyle/11/13/12/markki-stroem-other-pinoys-reps-camp-rock">WATCH: Markki Stroem, other Pinoys in Rep&#x27;s &#x27;Camp Rock&#x27;</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/08/30/17/markki-stroem-stars-in-reps-production-of-hair">READ: Markki Stroem stars in Rep&#x27;s production of &#x27;Hair&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>Now, in what he considers his first-ever gay role in a straight play, Stroem is Joe Pitt in &quot;Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches,&quot; the opening production celebrating Atlantis&#x27; 20th anniversary. </p><p>Written by American playwright-screenwriter Tony Kushner and set in the 1980s in New York City during the AIDS epidemic, &quot;Angels in America&quot; had won a Pulitzer, Drama Desk and 10 Tony Awards, including best play. </p><p>Stroem&#x27;s character Joe Pitt is a closeted Mormon lawyer married to a Valium-dependent woman. He meets Prior Walter, a gay man who learned he contacted the AIDS virus and is now abandoned by his partner, Louis Ironson.</p><p>We threw some questions to Stroem on being Joe Pitt, why he&#x27;s very much at home in Atlantis and what he thinks of his co-actors. </p><p>(Incidentally, he celebrated his 32nd birthday on Thursday, March 21, while doing the preview of &quot;Angels In America.&quot;)</p><p>Here&#x27;s the excerpt:</p><div><strong>Q: This is your fifth time with Atlantis. Would you say you&#x27;ve always been at home with Atlantis? </strong></div><p>I love working with Atlantis! The level of detail and professionalism is almost, if not, at par with foreign companies. They take care of their artists and make sure that the working environment is copacetic, drama-free and incredibly respectful of everyone in the production.</p><div><strong>Q: Describe Bobby Garcia as director.</strong></div><p>Direk Bobby Garcia has been a father figure to me since my professional debut in “Next to Normal.” He has since molded me and been my guide in the theater world. He knows what he wants and I trust him with all his decisions. The rehearsal process is lick clockwork, no time is wasted. But you are expected to be on time (in my case sometimes 5 hours before call time to prep), prepared and memorized to begin each and every workday. </p><div><strong> Q: Did you audition or were you invited by Direk Bobby for the role of Joe Pitt? </strong></div><p>I was invited for the reading. It was a tense experience. The reading was an audition to see if each of our characters meshed with each other. Fortunately it did and we are now doing the show together.</p><div><strong>Q: Where there other roles (in other productions) offered to you?</strong></div><p>There were a few other ones, but I only do one (for theater) a year as I have a regular hosting gig now on “The Morning Rush” daily on RX 93.1 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. I take rehearsal days off as vacation leave. Although for the first three weeks of rehearsals I still co-hosted &quot;The Morning Rush.&quot; Tech week was when I took my leave.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/03/23/markki-stroem-2.jpg"/><figcaption>Markki Storem with Cherie Gil in Atlantis&#x27; &quot;Angels of America.&quot; <em>Photo courtesy of Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group</em></figcaption></figure></div><div><strong> Q: When did you get the offer? I&#x27;ve heard as early as middle of last year?</strong></div><p>Got the offer right after &quot;Side Show.&quot; We will do &quot;Part 1&quot; this year and hopefully we get to do &quot;Part 2&quot; next year.</p><div><strong> Q: Is this the first time you are playing a closeted gay role in a play for a professional theater company?</strong></div><p>This is my first time playing a closeted gay man in theater. Although my character Claude Hooper-Bukowski in Repertory Philippines’ “Hair” was somewhat fluid. Not necessarily gay though.</p><p>In my movie acting career, I have played multiple gay roles. Cinema One Originals “Slumber Party” and Star Cinema&#x27;s “Can We Still Be Friends” and “I Love You, Hater.”</p><div><strong> Q: In an objective manner, what can you say about Joe Pitt and the way he reacts to situations?</strong></div><p>Initially, it was hard for me to agree with his principles in life. How he used a woman for his own narcissistic needs was beyond me. Although, after a while, I grew to understand where he was coming from. </p><p>His moral compass is based on his religious beliefs, and to a certain extent he has a degree of redemption in “Millennium Approaches” (Part 1). I wish I could say the same about his journey in “Perestroika.” Although as we all know how karma works, it always bites you back in the end.</p><div><strong>Q: Have you seen &quot;Angels in America&quot; on Broadway? </strong></div><p>I have not, but I have seen the National Theater recorded version with Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane and Russell Tovey. I have also seen the HBO version with Meryl Streep and Al Pacino.</p><p><strong>Q: How many times? </strong><br/> <br/>Countless. Watched it countless times. I cannot anymore count.<br/> <br/><strong>Q: The first time you saw the National Theater-recorded version, could you describe the feeling?</strong></p><p>There was a certain level of elation, and a longing to continue to spread this very relevant story. More now than ever. Especially with the rise in HIV cases daily in the Philippines. We all have to understand that it is not a death sentence and it is important to get tested. We can all live full lives if it is treated early on.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/03/23/markki-stroem-3.jpg"/><figcaption>The cast members of Atlantis Theatrical&#x27;s &quot;Angels In America&quot; (from left, standing): Art Acuña, Cherie Gil, Markki Stroem, Topper Fabregas, Pinky Amador, Andoy Ranay, (seated) Angeli Bayani and Nelsito Gomez. <em>Photo courtesy of Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group</em></figcaption></figure></div><div><strong> Q: How would you describe your co-actors? Starting with Topper Fabregas (who plays the lead character Prior Walter). Is this your first time acting with him?</strong></div><p>First time acting with Topper on stage, third time working with him. First as my director for &quot;Camp Rock,&quot; second as my alternate for &quot;Hair&quot; and now my co-actor. He has been such a rock of support and cheerleader to everyone. He is a star. The glue that holds the show together.</p><div><strong> Q: Nelsito Gomez, who plays Louis Ironson, lover of Prior Walter.</strong></div><p>Nelsito, I have worked with now four times. &quot;Camp Rock,&quot; &quot;Carrie: The Musical,&quot; &quot;Jersey Boys&quot; and now here. He has grown so much and I am very proud of how he has evolved as a performer. He has matured and is a joy to work with.</p><div><strong>Q: The Cherie Gil, playing Hannah Pitt, Joe&#x27;s mother.</strong></div><p>Cherie is a spectacle to behold everytime she sets foot on that stage. She has a presence that is indescribable. She has been a maternal figure in this entire process and I am thankful for all I have learned from her.</p><div><strong> Q: National treasure Angeli Bayani, who plays Joe&#x27;s wife Harper.</strong></div><p>Halimaw. The first word that comes to mind when Angeli as an actress is concerned. The breadth of emotion and care for each beat is so natural and open. Ang Lee&#x27;s &quot;national treasure&quot; has also been such a joy as a scene partner as her performance feels so real, nuanced and supportive.</p><p><strong>Q: Pinky Amador (playing the Angel).</strong><br/> <br/>Our resident accent and voice coach. She has been such a rock of support in all aspects of the process. She does not appear until midway through Act 2 so she really assisted in most of the preparations. She is also the Angel in the show and has a magnificent moment that I am so excited for everyone to see.</p><div><strong> Q: Art Acuna, who plays another closeted homosexual, the vicious Roy Cohn.</strong></div><p>He is a force! Such an inspiration to see him work. He is our star student who came in so prepared. He gives a dominant powerful performance as Roy Cohn.</p><div><strong>Q: Andoy Ranay, who plays Belize, an ex-drag queen and is the beshie of Prior.</strong></div><p>Andoy is a joy to work with. He adds spice to the show as Belize and accents his role with his witty comebacks.</p><div><strong>Q: Any more plans for the year? Theater or film?</strong></div><p>There are plans to do &quot;Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady,&quot; the movie. We had the storycon late last year. Awaiting our sched availabilities. </p><p>&quot;Angels in America&quot; opens on Friday, March 22, and runs until April 7 at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.<br/> </p>

<p>In what he considers his first-ever gay role in a straight play, Markki Stroem is Joe Pitt in "Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches," the opening production celebrating Atlantis' 20th anniversary. <br /> </p>

In what he considers his first-ever gay role in a straight play, Markki Stroem is Joe Pitt in "Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches," the opening production celebrating Atlantis' 20th anniversary.