One of the most celebrated Filipino musical theater stars, Rachelle Ann Go, is set to return to Abu Dhabi as she reprises her role as Fantine in Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular.
In an exclusive interview with The Filipino Times, Rachelle, whose performances have earned international acclaim, shared her excitement about performing for her fellow Filipinos in this highly anticipated concert version of Les Misérables.
Having previously visited Abu Dhabi, Rachelle reflected on the warmth of the Filipino community in the city, noting how their presence made her feel right at home.
“We were there last year, and we love the UAE. We love Abu Dhabi. My family—my husband and my two kids—they love it,” she shared. “To see a lot of Filipinos there as well, nakakataba ng puso. Pag nakakasalamuha ko sila after the show or kahit sa mall, naglalakad ako, Filipinos are everywhere! Para lang akong nasa Philippines.”
Her bond with the Filipino audience runs deep, as she acknowledged the unique energy they bring to her performances.
“When you’re doing a concert version, ibang vibe. You can scream, sometimes you can sing along. So, I’m quite excited to see kung papaano ito magta-translate sa audiences sa Abu Dhabi, especially sa mga Pinoy. Baka maging karaoke night ito,” she said with a laugh.
Returning as Fantine
Rachelle has portrayed Fantine since 2016, but as a mother of two, she now connects with the character on a deeper level, particularly the theme of motherly love.
“If you will ask me before having a family, I think the brokenness and the heartaches of what I’ve been through in my life. Tapos may napagdaanan din siya sa buhay niya. I think the pain, doon ako nakaka-relate. And then, now that I am a mom of two, I know how it feels to show love and to give sacrifices towards your child,” she added.
Unlike traditional theatrical productions, Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular offers a fresh challenge for Rachelle. This concert-style presentation focuses primarily on vocals and emotional delivery, as opposed to the elaborate physical movements typically seen in fully staged performances.
“The people, I believe, will connect more with the voice and little movements. Rachelleod thing we have big screens, so people sitting at the back, makikita niyo talaga what is happening,” she shared. “It’s an arena but it’s still gonna be intimate. I think the challenge for me is dapat kumanta ako galing sa puso.”
Overcoming challenges as an international performer
Reflecting on her journey in international theater, Rachelle acknowledged the difficulties she faced when she moved to the UK in 2014 for her first musical show, Miss Saigon.
“Wala akong experience. I didn’t train. No training at all in musical theater. So being in a space, being in a room filled with people who are trained, who are experienced, it’s quite intimidating. I felt like I was so insecure,” she admitted. “I learned through my co-actor, yung mga director. Tinuturuan naman nila kami. Parang nawala na rin yung hiya.”
She also shared how she related to the struggles of OFWs, particularly the challenge of being away from loved ones.
“I’m sure lahat ng OFW yung makaka-relate sa akin. When you’re sick, tapos you don’t have your parents, you don’t have your kapatid around, and you’re on your own. You’re alone… So I think that’s the biggest challenge is homesickness,” she said.
For aspiring Filipino performers, Rachelle had this advice: “Know what your gifts are. Know it and then hone it… Train to become the best version of yourself and keep auditioning.”
“Always do it with heart. And the people will see it and they will see you shine. They will always see the light in you,” she added.
Filipinos in the UAE will have a rare opportunity to witness Rachelle Ann Rachelle in Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular, a grand and immersive production that brings the timeless classic to a new level at the Etihad Arena from April 10 to 20, 2025. Tickets are available at: https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/event-booking/les-miserables-the-arena-spectacular.
