Vlad Bunoan

Neo Rivera and Vien King in 'On Your Feet.' Handout

Article (news)

Jude Cartalaba

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781157181933c1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Neo Rivera and Vien King in &#x27;On Your Feet.&#x27; Handout</div>If there is one golden rule in show business, it is the timeless adage by the legendary acting pioneer Konstantin Stanislavski: There are no small roles, only small actors. Every single character onstage is a vital piece of the grand storytelling puzzle, and a truly skilled actor can breathe absolute fire into even the briefest of moments.Enter two of the local theater scene&#x27;s most captivating leading men, Vien King and Neo Rivera. Fresh off a string of starring roles, these two handsome theater stars are proving their dedication to the craft by stepping into supporting roles for 9 Works Theatrical’s highly anticipated jukebox musical “On Your Feet!” opening this July 10 at The Proscenium Theatre in Rockwell, Makati.King is set to portray José Fajardo, the fiercely devoted father of pop icon Gloria Estefan, while Rivera will play Phil, the skeptical, traditional record label executive. When it comes to mapping out their characters&#x27; psyches, both actors are diving deep. For King, his character is a portrait of quiet dignity and heartbreaking sacrifice.“He is a man who gives everything to his country, his family, and his duty, and asks for nothing back,&quot; King said. &quot;He’s patriotic, tender, dignified, and ultimately broken by the very things he believed in. As a Filipino, I grew up watching the men in my family carry that same quiet sacrifice. They don’t talk about what they’ve given up, they just show up. José doesn’t explain himself; he acts. The most powerful moments on stage are the ones where you don’t explain. You just do.”Rivera, on the other hand, breaks into a laugh when describing the delightfully dramatic Phil.“He is over the top. Borderline OA — something I resonate with the most!&quot; he revealed.  &quot;He expresses his thoughts totally unfiltered, which is why he’s seen as the &#x27;antagonist&#x27; of the story. But he really isn’t! He’s just a traditional executive who knows how the gritty music industry works. When Gloria and Emilio want to crossover, it’s completely unfamiliar to him. He&#x27;s thinking about the prize and the money. But Phil’s arc also comes through in the end, which is a major win!”<div> </div><div>From leading men to support</div>Make no mistake — neither actor had qualms about stepping out of the main spotlight. Rivera boasts a resume of leading roles, from Repertory Philippines’ &quot;The Quest for the Adarna&quot; (2019), &quot;Snow White and the Prince&quot; (2023-2024), and &quot;Going Home to Christmas&quot; (2024) to Trumpets’ &quot;Pamilya Maleta&quot; (2019) and &quot;Joseph, The Dreamer&quot; (2022). Even with Phil being a non-singing, non-dancing role, he is having the absolute time of his life.“I see Phil as an &#x27;open character,&#x27; which gives me so much liberty to play onstage,&quot; Rivera said.&quot;Director Robbie Guevara has given me the complete freedom to not just explore, but totally play. That’s how I plan to stand out in my scenes. But hey, who knows? Maybe Phil will surprise everyone and pop up in one of those high-energy dance numbers!”Kings own starring track record is equally stellar, having headlined the Philippine Opera Company’s &quot;Passion&quot; (2019), Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ &quot;Rama Hari&quot; (2023), 9 Works&#x27; &quot;Liwanag sa Dilim&quot; (2025), and The Sandbox Collective’s &quot;Sideshow&quot; (2025). Fresh from a training stint at London’s world-renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), King views this supporting role as the ultimate artistic test.“There’s a beautiful freedom in economy,&quot; he explained. &quot;Every scene, every line, every moment José appears has to land completely because you don’t have the luxury of a full arc to build it. You have to make people feel a whole life in just a few moments. Honestly, that restraint is the craft. RADA taught me exactly how much you can do with very little. José lives in that exquisite space.”<div> </div><div>Technique and truth</div>Of course, executing these roles flawlessly comes with its own unique backstage challenges. For King, it’s a tightrope walk between vocal perfection and intense emotion.“The technical and emotional demands pull in opposite directions. My natural range is bass to tenor, so the baritone sweet spot is right in my wheelhouse, but José’s most vocally demanding moments are also his most emotionally raw. “When Someone Comes into Your Life is essentially a father saying goodbye to his daughter. You’re navigating that deep grief while making sure every note hits with perfect intention. The voice always follows the truth of the moment.”As for Rivera, playing a music mogul has made him reflect on what real-life industry visionaries should look for in today’s generation of dreamers. &quot;Record executives like Phil should always look for an artist’s pure grit and drive,&quot; Neo asserts. &quot;It&#x27;s about keeping some of the traditional discipline while always maintaining fresh eyes and an open mind.&quot;Directed by Robbie Guevara, “On Your Feet!” traces the journey of music icons Gloria and Emilio Estefan through their biggest hits. It opens July 10 at The Proscenium Theatre in Rockwell, Makati.

Fresh off a string of starring roles, these two handsome theater leading men are proving their dedication to the craft by stepping into supporting roles for 9 Works Theatrical’s highly anticipated jukebox musical “On Your Feet!”

Fresh off a string of starring roles, these two handsome theater leading men are proving their dedication to the craft by stepping into supporting roles for 9 Works Theatrical’s highly anticipated jukebox musical “On Your Feet!”

Leading men Vien King, Neo Rivera embrace featured roles in 'On Your Feet!'

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Leading men Vien King, Neo Rivera embrace featured roles in 'On Your Feet!'

Jude Cartalaba

Published June 11, 2026 02:05 PM PHT

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On Your Feet

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Vien King

Neo Rivera

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