Stephanie Reese

Filipina-American theater talent Stephanie Reese had the privilege of singing at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York when she was still a little girl choir member. The prestige to perform there solo has become a dream since then.

Well, like how most dreamers with great talent and determination end their journey, her long-aimed target to do a once-in-a-lifetime-gig at the venue is about to happen for real. She is scheduled to perform there on Nov. 7 and is hitting the record books as the first Fil-Am who will do so. Pure Pinays Regine Velasquez and Lea Salonga, both stars of iconic status here in the country, have done their own tricks at the place in 1991 and 2005, respectively.

In an interview, she revealed, “I was a small girl in a choir when I first performed at the Carnegie. To be able to star in my own on the very same stage has been my childhood dream.”

The Los Angeles-based international singer has been making a name for her versatility as a singer doing Broadway, ballads, pop, kundiman, and hip-hop.

She already released two albums (“The Voice” and “Stephanie Reese At Her Best”) and is bound to release a third one.

Having acted as Kim in the German production of “Miss Saigon,” Stephanie has now penetrated the Hollywood scene, especially when she rose to the occasion of last year’s 10th anniversary celebration of a posh restaurant in Beverly Hills where she shared the stage with Natalie Cole.

Now in the country to promote her act, the charming artist being likened to Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler’s for her singing style, reacted to her upcoming major show, “I can’t believe my name will all be there at the Carnegie!”

Filipino fans can actually see at least half of what she is going to unleash come the Carnegie night. She has a concert at the Music Museum in Greenhills on Oct. 2, 8 p.m. advertised as set to deliver 50% of what she is preparing for the big November night. She is having as guests thespian Audie Gemora and Argentinian dance sensation Sergio Viglini.

Titled “I Am Stephanie Reese,” the Music Museum concert is a “due to public demand” repeat of her sold-out gig at Teatrino, San Juan last May. It is obvious that she has yet to introduce herself to local mainstream audience, though those who have seen her perform live, whether regular fans or staunch critics, agree that she deserves the recognition from the hard-to-please Pinoys.

“I’m here because I love Filipinos and I want them to love me,” Reese, amused that the Filipino crowd is more challenging to satisfy (than Americans) during live shows, explained to local entertainment writers.
When asked about the prospect of her being tapped to act, she replied, “I would love to. It’s also a dream for me to do a drama film.”

Reese, who writes her own songs to be included in her new album, is a philanthropist as well. She is at present building a village for 30 families, spearheading charitable concerts to raise funds for Gawad Kalinga which builds homes for the Filipino poor.