Stephanie Reese

The “I Am Stephanie Reese” concert held at the Music Museum on Oct. 12 was an autobiographical story set to music. It traces Reese’s musical journey from her childhood days performing at her lola’s living room, to her residency as Kim in the German version of “Ms. Saigon,” to her current expedition as a solo singer.

An accomplished theatre actress and singer, Stephanie has essayed several high profile roles including Esmeralda in Disney’s “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame,” and Princess Tuptim in “The King And I.”

Stephanie opened the concert with a skit about how her lola’s music influenced her. While recreating that time by singing as if she were back in her family living room, "Que Sera, Que Sera" and "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" played in the background.

Confounding at first, the audience eventually warmed up to Reese’s manner of presentation. The skits slotted in songs help magnify and move along her stories. As she did, the scenes and characters that figured prominently in her life, flashed across projector screens.

Reese’s singing voice is perfect for theatre. Her rendition of "Sun & Moon" [sung in German] from "Ms. Saigon" was perfect while her duet with Audie Gemora on the “Theme From Phantom Of The Opera” was just what the doctor ordered in this type of musical setting.

She went on to relate that while she lived the dream of performing as a theatre actress, she still longed to sing pop tunes as a solo singer. She asked, “What do I do after theatre acting? What songs would I be singing? What type of a singer would I be?”

The answer: Combine her expertise in theatre and singing. To showcase her aptitude for both, Reese performed “Nessun Dorma” and Shirley Bassey-classics. Petite lady that she is, Reese’s vocal prowess is nevertheless powerful and controlled.

Reese also shared a time in her love when someone close to her died. Indeed, as she sang “Somewhere In Time,” the audience realized that it’s not all standing ovations and curtain calls for her.

The chanteuse’s versatility came to fore when she sang a French song titled “Spente Le Stele” and a Spanish one, “Habanera” [with the Euphony Male Ensemble]. The simple set-up of nylon guitar, upright bass/cello, drums and a baby grand piano served well these songs and the rest. Pianist Glen Lemen deserves an honorable mention.

Stephanie’s brief stay in the country was made more unforgettable by typhoon “Pepeng” which caused her to move the date of her concert.  She compared the typhoon to hurricane “Katrina.”

“In the US, they had to bring out the celebrities to get Americans to contribute and raise funds for the flood victims.

“But here, they didn’t have to do that because Pinoys were already extending a helping hand to their fellows a day after the floods. It’s the Bayanihan spirit.

“That’s why when people ask me, ‘Why celebrate being Filipino from among my mixed lineage of Japanese, Chinese, American, and Irish? My answer is simple: Because I’m proud to be a Filipino.”

Reese, a voice student of the late Eileen Manzin, will hold her solo debut concert in New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall on Nov. 7, 2009.

She has released three albums so far namely “The Voice,” “Stephanie Reese At Her Best” and “Stephanie Reese – This Is My Life.”