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Maxie Andreison and Viñas DeLuxe are announced as the leads of the upcoming "Die Beautiful" musical.
The IdeaFirst Company via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — IdeaFirst Live is tapping two local drag icons, Maxie Andreison and Viñas DeLuxe, to lead onstage the musical adaptation of "Die Beautiful."
The production is a planned stage version of the 2016 film by Jun Robles Lana, which follows Paolo Ballesteros' Trisha, both in her life as a trans woman growing up and in death as friends try to give her the funeral she deserves.
Lana, co-founder and president of IdeaFirst, will see the musical adaptation of his movie take over the Makati's Proscenium Theater in June next year.
More than 200 individuals auditioned for roles in the production, which will have Maxie and Viñas alternating the lead role of Trisha.
Both performers are considered icons in the local drag community, highlighted by successful runs in "Drag Race Philippines," coincidentally hosted by Ballesteros.
Viñas competed in the inaugural season and was the runner-up in last year's "Slaysian Royale," while Maxie won the third season a year after placing fifth in "Queen of the Universe" Season 2.
Maxie is also no stranger to the stage. She made her debut in a musical adaptation of "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" as a teenager from, which they coined their stage name.
"For the musical, the role will require an artist who can navigate comedy and drama, deliver powerful vocals, and embody Trisha's journey with truth, charisma, and emotional depth," said show director Tuxqs Rutaquio upon the cast announcement.
Lana added, "Bringing Trisha to life on stage requires a rare kind of magic."
Viñas posted a video online showing clips from the audition process, which confirmed her casting as Trisha, blurring all other auditionees except Maxie while overlaying a monologue from the 2016 film by Ballesteros' character.
"Omgg ito na! Nainspire ako maging Drag Queen nung napanood ko si Mama Pao sa TV. Ginagaya ko pa makeup ni Mama Pao sa 'Die Beautiful' noon. Ngayon gaganap na tayong Trisha. Maraming salamat po, Lord!" said Viñas.
Key roles still to be announced are Trisha's best friend Barbs Cordero, father Mr. Villar, sister Beth, and adoptive daughter Shirley Mae as originated respectively in the movie by Christian Bables, Joel Torre, Gladys Reyes, and both Faye Alhambra and Inah de Belen.
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