Willy Wonka actor praises Lea Salonga, teases Pinoy song in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' Manila run

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MANILA, Philippines — American stage actor Daniel Plimpton is already endearing himself to Filipino audiences ahead of the Philippine debut of the musical "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Plimpton portrays the iconic chocolatier Willy Wonka in the production based on the popular book by Roald Dahl.

The actor was in Manila along with Cohen Toukatly, who play Charlie Bucket, and show director Drew Cipillone, following confirmation of the musical's July arrival in the Philippines to meet with members of the media including Philstar.com.

Lea fan. The Willy Wonka actor was asked if he was a fan of any Filipino theater actor, and Plimpton did not look far as he mentioned the celebrated thespian Lea Salonga.

His admiration for Salonga is a personal one as Plimpton starred in "Miss Saigon" — the musical that made Salonga famous and won her a Tony Award — as a 16-year-old.

Plimpton also commended the growing number of Filipino stage actors abroad in recent years, adding he was excited for Filipinos to see Salonga in the "Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular" show to be staged in Manila later this month.

Salonga, who has played Éponine and Fantine on Broadway and in London, will take on the role of Madame Thénardier.

Rachelle Ann Go will reprise Fantine, having performed the character on the West End, a UK and Ireland tour, and right here in the Philippines back in 2016 at the Theater at Solaire.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular" will both run in the same venue.

RELATED: Lea Salonga, Rachelle Ann Go lead 'Les Miserables' concert company

Filipino injection. Plimpton also teased that a small scene in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" will have some Filipino flavor in it.

The actor said in the scene, his character will perform a snippet of a local song from the city the production is currently in, recounting doing just that during the musical's recent visit to Taiwan.

He noted that English artist Jacob Collier covered the late Freddie Aguilar's "Anak" during his recent visit to the Philippines last June and is considering following suit though Plimpton opened the floor for suggestions.

One media member suggested Plimpton perform Hotdog's "Bongga Ka Day" while another mentioned Sheryn Regis' "Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw," both receiving cheers from fellow press.

Another media representative recommended "The Spaghetti Song" or any track by SexBomb Girls, given the group's iconic variety of novelty songs.

"In your imagination, I will sound amazing, " Plimpton quipped, earning laughs as he referenced "Pure Imagination" from the musical.

During the same event, Toukatly mentioned trying to eat snails while on tour and welcomed ideas for Filipino delicacies to try.

Balut was naturally suggested while other recommendations for the young actor were Kare-Kare and Isaw.

RELATED: 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' musical makes Philippine debut this July