Joanna Ampil

Career

Joanna, at seventeen years old, auditioned for an open call in Manila for the original production of Miss Saigon in front of director Sir Nicolas Hytner. Despite not having any experience in theatre or the performing arts, she landed the lead role of Kim and was flown to London to rehearse with the West End company at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. She has since reprised her role as Kim in the original Australian production, the original United Kingdom and Ireland Tour and 10th Anniversary Performance.

Ampil's other notable roles include Mary Magdalene in the West End revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, Éponine in Les Misérables, Fantine in Les Misérables, Mimi in Rent, Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, Sheila Franklin in Hair, Thanh in the world premiere of The Real Love, Heidi in I Sing!, The ingénue June in the West End premiere of The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, Blue Fairy in Pinocchio: A New Musical, West End Women (UK Tour), The Magic of Disney in Concert (Hyde Park, London), Defying Gravity: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz (Sydney), Grizabella in Cats, and reprising Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert.

In 2008, she made her Philippine theatre debut as Maria in West Side Story, alongside Christian Bautista's Tony. She played Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre and was followed by Nellie Forbush in South Pacific in Concert. She was invited by Philippine's Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde to play Inang Bayan in the ballet Rebel EDSA 30. In 2015, she played Francesca Johnson in the international premiere of The Bridges of Madison County, and Jenna in the international premiere of Waitress in 2018.

She performed on recordings of Miss Saigon (The Complete Symphonic Recording) as Kim, Jesus Christ Superstar (1996 London Revival Cast) as Mary Magdalene, The Postman and the Poet (Concept Cast) as Beatriz Gonzalez and Ang Larawan “The Portrait” (Original Soundtrack) as Candida.

Her debut musicals album "Joanna Ampil" was released 2007 by JAY Records, followed with pop albums "Try Love" in 2010 and "Joanna Ampil" in 2014 with VIVA Records. Her latest singles are Reach for the Stars, Always Better and Memory.

In 2017, Ampil portrayed Candida Marasigan in the feature film Ang Larawan for which she won the Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Actress, PMPC Star Awards, Gawad Pasado, Luna, Gawad Tangi, Guillermo Award, Urduja Best Heritage Film Awards and the prestigious Gawad Urian Best Actress Awards.

She worked on the television series "Call Me Tita" "Babae Sa Septic Tank 3", The Quest, Mummy Autopsy and Broken News. She portrayed Corazon in Maalaala Mo Kaya's "Kadena" wherein she won the GEMS Award for Best Actress for Television.

She performed Grizabella in the 40th Anniversary Tour of Cats (South Korea, 2020/2021) during the height of COVID-19 pandemic with socially distanced audiences and local government protocols; along with Phantom of the Opera World Tour (South Korea and Taiwan, 2020).

In the summer of 2021, Joanna made her Chichester Festival Theatre debut in Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific as Bloody Mary. In the summer of 2022, she reprised the role of Bloody Mary in London ahead of a UK Tour.

In 2023, she played The Engineer in the brand new production Miss Saigon at Sheffield Theatres by special arrangement with Sir Cameron Mackintosh, bringing together the original creators of the show Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil along with Artistic Directors Robert Hastie and Anthony Lau in editing the book, lyrics and creating new arrangements for the reimagined production.

Joanna joined international stars of the stage and screen, including Michael Ball, Daniel Dae Kim, Maria Friedman, Audra McDonald, Julian Ovenden, Lucy St. Louis, Aaron Tveit, Marisha Wallace and Patrick Wilson in My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert, featuring a 40-piece orchestra on 12 December 2023, at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The filmed musical concert will be screened in cinemas across the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, and will be part of the PBS Great Performances broadcast this Spring 2024.

Theatre

Discography

Cast albums

• My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert
• Miss Saigon (The Complete Symphonic Recording)
• Jesus Christ Superstar (1996 London Cast)
• The Postman and The Poet (Concept Cast)
• Ang Larawan (Original Soundtrack)

Studio albums

• Joanna Ampil (2007; Jay Records)
• Try Love (2010; Musiko Records, Sony Music)
• Joanna Ampil (2014; Viva Records)

Singles

• Reach For The Stars
• I'm Caught Between Goodbye and I Love You
• For The Last Time I Felt Like This
• Hanggang Saan
• The Only Place To Be
• Memory
• Always Better
• Kundimang Mahal (theme song of the movie Culion)
• One More Gift

Filmography

Film

Television/Digital

Concerts

• Carols in the Domain (1995) The Domain, Sydney
• Stars of the Musicals (2001) Putra, Kuala Lumpur
• The Night of 100 Stars: Marvin Hamlisch (2001) London Palladium
• One Day More: A Symphonic Concert of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (2004) Symphony Hall, Birmingham
• An Evening with Jason Robert Brown (2005) Players Theatre, London
• Musical Moments (2007) Hong Kong Cultural Centre
• Musical Moments (2008) Hong Kong Cultural Centre
• Musical Moments (2009) Hong Kong Cultural Centre
• Joanna Ampil, I Love... (2009) Music Museum, Manila
• West End Girl: Joanna Ampil (2010) OnStage, Manila
• Brad Little Unmasked with Joanna Ampil (2010) Taipei International Convention Centre, Taiwan
• Broadway Showstoppers (2011) Newport Performing Arts Theatre
• The Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Concert (2012) Hanoi Opera House, Vietnam
• The Night of 1000 Voices (2012) Royal Albert Hall, London
• The Magic of Disney in Concert (2012) Hyde Park, London In celebration of the H.M. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
• West End Women: Kerry Ellis, Ria Jones & Joanna Ampil (2014) United Kingdom Tour
• Defying Gravity: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz (2016) Sydney
• A Woman's World: Joanna Ampil (2016) Shangri-La Plaza, Manila
• The Sound of Musicals: Joanna Ampil, Graham Bickley, Kerry Ellis and Oliver Tompsett (2016) United Kingdom Tour
• Una nit a Broadway Andrew Lloyd Webber: Joanna Ampil, John Owen Jones, Geronimo Rauch and Celinde Schoenmacher (2017) L'Auditori, Barcelona
• Love Wins: Joanna Ampil (2018) Maybank Theatre, Manila
• Silver Lining: Joanna Ampil (2019) Maybank Theatre, Manila
• Pinoy Playlist: Joanna Ampil (2019) Maybank Theatre, Manila
• Bulawan: The CCP's 50th Anniversary Gala (2023) Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila
• Fivera Goes West End with Joanna Ampil (2023) Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore
• Fivera Goes West End with Joanna Ampil (2023) Esplanade Theatre, Singapore
• Anywhere We Sing Is Home: The CCP's 54th Anniversary Gala (2023) Samsung Performing Arts Theatre, Manila
• West End Musical Halloween (2023) Lyric Theatre, London
• West End Does: Christmas (2023) Cadogan Hall, London
• My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert (2023) Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

References

References

1. "Joanna Ampil {{!}} Creative Artists Management".
2. (2021-10-29). "Joanna Ampil".
3. Guide, Paul Dixon Albemarle of London's West End Theatre. (21 January 1998). "London Jesus Christ Superstar To Close 28 March".
4. (2016-03-16). "'Les Mis' composer Claude-Michel Schonberg says, 'Salamat po, Pilipinas'".
5. (2004-10-21). "Windsor Castle hosts Les Mis gala".
6. "musicalzentrale - Cast der "Rent"-Tournee von Arena nimmt Gestalt an".
7. "Archive for Avenue Q at Gielgud Theatre, London. 2009-2010. [MUSICAL]".
8. Inverne, James. (22 September 2005). "Updated Hair Opens at London's Gate Theatre Sept. 22".
9. "Introduction to "The Real Love" Musical".
10. Ltd, Bankside Press. "I Sing! at Union Theatre".
11. "The Musical of Musicals - The Guide to Musical Theatre".
12. "Pinocchio".
13. BWW News Desk. "Kerry Ellis, Ria Jones and Joanna Ampil to Star in WEST END WOMEN Tour, Nov-Dec 2014".
14. (2012-06-05). "Jubilee Family Festival, Hyde Park June 2/3 2012 – Ramin Karimloo and the Disney concert".
15. (2016-02-13). "Defying Gravity: the songs of Stephen Schwartz review (Theatre Royal, Sydney)".
16. "Joanna Ampil • Defying Gravity".
17. Delgado, Carla. "BWW Interview: Joanna Ampil Talks CATS, Grizabella Makeup And More!".
18. Gans, Andrew. (11 October 2019). "Ramin Karimloo, Declan Bennett, Joanna Ampil, Telly Leung Star in Tokyo Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert Beginning October 11".
19. Caruncho, Eric S.. (2019-07-02). "Joanna Ampil—to play Mary Magdalene in 'Jesus Christ, Superstar'—is on a creative roll".
20. "Joanna Ampil shifts from West End to West Side".
21. "London-based stage actress Joanna Ampil comes home to perform in "West Side Story"".
22. "Joanna Ampil, Cris Villonco and Audie Gemora lead cast of The Sound of Music".
23. Vladimir Bunoan. (2015-09-25). "Review: 'South Pacific' concert hints at exciting future".
24. Gil, Baby A.. "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific in concert".
25. "Mark Bautista and Joanna Ampil lead cast of South Pacific in Concert".
26. "Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Joanna Ampil as Inang Bayan in 'Rebel' – Ballet Manila".
27. Hetrick, Adam. (6 October 2015). "International Premiere of Bridges of Madison County Taps Miss Saigon Star".
28. "Joanna Ampil".
29. "index {{!}} musical {{!}} The Postman and the Poet".
30. "Joanna Ampil".
31. "Jay Records - Joanna Ampil".
32. "Joanna Ampil releases her 12-track debut album, Try Love".
33. (6 July 2014). "Joanna Ampil: From stage to movie star".
34. (2018-01-05). "Joanna Ampil, MMFF Best Actress, on playing Candida: 'I felt this role was beyond me'".
35. Salterio, Leah C.. (2019-09-12). "iWant review: 'Call Me Tita' proudly and confidently embraces aging".
36. (3 September 2019). "Binge-worthy: 'Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 3'".
37. (2019-08-22). "Theater star Joanna Ampil in 'MMK' for first time".
38. "Sammi Cannold: South Korea has proved that theatre can be Covid-safe and open for business".
39. (2021-07-14). "South Pacific review – a roof-raising Rodgers and Hammerstein triumph".
40. (2022-08-05). "Joanna Ampil reprises Bloody Mary role in UK and Ireland 2022 tour of 'South Pacific' musical".
41. "NEW CRUCIBLE, PLAYHOUSE AND LYCEUM SHOWS FOR 2023".
42. "CAST ANNOUNCED FOR MISS SAIGON".
43. Wild, Stephi. "Joanna Ampil and Maria Friedman Join MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT".
44. (2023-12-04). "Joanna Ampil and Maria Friedman Announced as Further Headline Artists for My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert - Concord".
45. (2022-09-19). "My Favorite Things {{!}} Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Concert".
46. (2023-12-14). "My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert to be screened in cinemas".
47. Wild, Stephi. "MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Will Screen in Cinemas in Australia and New Zealand".
48. Lo, Ricky. "How Miss Saigon 'Snatched' Joanna from Becoming a Nun".
49. "AusStage".
50. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/98364-Ampil-and-Fellows-to-Star-in-London-Premiere-of-Musical-of-Musicals Playbill.com story] {{webarchive. link. (2011-06-04)
51. (2016-06-08). "Miss Saigon review from 1999".
52. (2016-06-09). "Les Miserables Review from 1999".
53. (2016-06-08). "LES MISERABLES: MAJOR CAST CHANGES..".
54. "Les Misérables".
55. "Miss Saigon pulling them in".
56. Inverne, James. (3 April 2004). "Les Misérables Reopens at London's Queen's with Substantial Redesigns".
57. "Royal performance for Chirac visit is tribute to entente cordiale".
58. "musicalzentrale - "Rent" geht auf Tournee".
59. "RENT European Tour".
60. BWW News Desk. "Musical 'i sing!' Will Have UK Premiere November 29".
61. BWW News Desk. "The Musical of Musicals Heads to London, March 28-April 22".
62. BWW News Desk. "West End 'Les Miz' to Mark 9,000th Performance, Aug. 10".
63. ""West Side Story" restaged in Manila after 27 years".
64. Shenton, Mark. (20 October 2008). "London's Avenue Q to Close in March 2009; Atherton to Return to Cast".
65. Denette, Kelsey. "THE REAL LOVE Debuts at Pasadena Civic, Broadcasts Live".
66. Oliveros, Oliver. "Photos: Resorts World Manila Mounts THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 10/15-12/11".
67. (2014-05-28). "CATS at New Wimbledon Theatre".
68. Oliveros, Oliver. "BWW Interviews: Joanna Ampil Talks Grizabella, CATS 2013 UK/Europe Tour".
69. Cartalaba, Jude. "Photos: RWM's SOUTH PACIFIC In Concert Meets the Press".
70. (10 March 2016). "Ballet Manila's 'Rebel': Not just a history lesson".
71. Oliveros, Oliver. "First International Production of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY to Premiere in Manila, 11/20".
72. "CATS the musical announces new cast for UK & European tour".
73. "BASEL/Musical-Theater: CATS".
74. BWW News Desk. "CATS Leaps Into Frankfurt On August 23".
75. (18 January 2017). "Review: Cats at Dubai Opera is as purr-fect as it is timeless".
76. (9 November 2017). "Premiere - Die "Jellicle Cats" schnurren im Musical Dome Köln / Bühne / Kultur / / report-k.de - Kölns Internetzeitung".
77. "Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical 'Cats', one of the longest running shows on London's West End, coming to Hong Kong in 2018".
78. "為何《CATS》可以成為音樂劇的經典？".
79. (16 January 2018). "As Hit Musical 'Cats' Returns to Hong Kong, Actress Joanna Ampil Talks About Starring Role as Grizabella".
80. "Nunn so thrilled as 'Cats' director".
81. Oliveros, Oliver. "WAITRESS International Premiere Announces Full Cast".
82. (2018-08-28). "Joanna Ampil leads cast of 'Waitress' musical".
83. "How Broadway's biggest shows are captivating audiences in Asia".
84. Henry, Alan. "Ramin Karimloo, Telly Leung And More Will Lead JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Concert in Japan".
85. Oliveros, Oliver. "Photos: CATS Opens Four-Week Limited Engagement in Manila, Now Thru 1 Dec.".
86. Wild, Stephi. "Photos: Get a First Look at CATS in South Korea, Starring Joanna Ampil".
87. Eun-byel, Im. (2020-07-01). "Int'l tour of 'Cats' to hit Seoul stage in September".
88. "Joanna Ampil to star in UK staging of hit musical 'South Pacific'".
89. Supercool. (2021-06-20). "South Pacific".
90. (2021-04-02). "Joanna Ampil to star in UK production of 'South Pacific' musical".
91. Quadra-Balibay, Aurora. (2020-03-03). "Joanna Ampil stars in Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific musical in UK".
92. Corp, ABS-CBN. "Joanna Ampil Is Set To Play Bloody Mary in a UK Production of South Pacific".
93. "Filipina actress Joanna Ampil stars in 'Cats' on Taiwan tour - Focus Taiwan".
94. "Filipina actress Joanna Ampil stars in 'Cats' on Taiwan tour - Focus Taiwan".
95. "South Pacific announces complete casting {{!}} WhatsOnStage".
96. Staff Writer. (2022-07-27). "First Look: South Pacific at Sadler’s Wells and on Tour".
97. Roper, Danielle. (2022-07-20). "Cast dazzle in epic performance of South Pacific at Opera House".
98. "사이트명".
99. (2022-09-21). "NEW CRUCIBLE, PLAYHOUSE AND LYCEUM SHOWS FOR 2023".
100. (2024-08-23). "My Favorite Things: The Rodgers and Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert released on streaming platforms".
101. "First Night Records Online Store".
102. "Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber – Jesus Christ Superstar (1996, CD)".
103. (2017-12-16). "Ang Larawan Original Soundtrack released on limited edition vinyl".
104. Hetrick, Adam. (4 December 2007). "Miss Saigon's Ampil Releases Solo Debut Recording".
105. "Joanna Ampil Reach For The Stars CD".
106. "Joanna Ampil - I'm Caught Between Goodbye And I Love You".
107. "Joanna Ampil - The Last Time I Felt Like This".
108. "Joanna Ampil — Hanggang Saan (Official Music Video with Lyrics)".
109. "Joanna Ampil — The Only Place To Be [Official Music Video]".
110. (31 March 2017). "Memory - Single by Joanna Ampil".
111. (28 July 2017). "Always Better - Single by Joanna Ampil".
112. Cartalaba, Jude. "Joanna Ampil Sings the Movie Theme Song of CULION".
113. (2021-12-24). "Joanna Ampil to release new single 'One More Gift' on Christmas Day".
114. Scherfig, Lone. (2011-08-17). "One Day". Focus Features, Random House Films, Film4.
115. (2013-10-23). "Supreme Master Television's 5th Anniversary: "The Real Love" Musical & Don McLean in Concert".
116. Oliveros, Oliver. "BWW Review: ANG LARAWAN Is Lavish, Absorbing Family Drama". BroadwayWorld.com.
117. Tantiangco, Aya. (December 31, 2017). "2017 MMFF Best Actress Joanna Ampil was a 'perfect' Candida for 'Ang Larawan'".
118. (2018-02-21). "WATCH: These movies won big at the 34th PMPC Star Awards for Movies".
119. "Abra, Joanna Ampil lead Urian awards".
120. "Ang babae sa septic tank 3: The Real Untold Story of Josephine Bracken (2019)".
121. "The Show Must Go On (2021) - IMDb".
122. (2023-12-01). "Joanna Ampil and Maria Friedman join My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert in London {{!}} West End Theatre".
123. "Jay Records - Joanna Ampil".
124. (2004-12-07). "Students star in ‘Mummy Autopsy’".
125. "Broken News (TV Mini Series 2005) - IMDb".
126. "Leading Women: Joanna Ampil".
127. (2020-04-12). "Bulawan: CCP 50th Anniversary Gala". Cultural Center of the Philippines.
128. Team, The Good News Pilipinas. (2019-03-26). "MEET: Joanna Ampil, multi-awarded musical theatre, TV, and film actress {{!}} Good News Pilipinas! TV".
129. "Call Me Tita (TV Series 2019– ) - IMDb".
130. "Joanna Ampil".
131. Whittock, Jesse. (2024-03-20). "Sky Buys ‘My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert’, Music Doc Featuring Michael Ball, Audra McDonald & Daniel Dae Kim".
132. Wild, Stephi. "MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Album is Available Now".
133. "The Wiggles: Carols in the Domain (1995)".
134. "MAS and Celcom to bring West End/Broadway musical to Malaysia".
135. "Archive for A Night of 100 Stars at London Palladium, London. 2001. [VARIETY SHOW]".
136. Gans, Andrew. (21 July 2004). "One Day More: Symphonic Boublil-Schönberg Concert Premiere to Feature London Stage Stars".
137. BWW News Desk. "Jason Robert Brown Performs in London, December 7–11".
138. "Moments of musical magic for charity".
139. "title-sponsor-musical-moments".
140. (2009-02-05). "Joanna Ampil back in RP for a Valentine show".
141. Oliveros, Oliver. "Photos: Joanna Ampil Manila Concert, 9/18".
142. 魚燒 (esmeralda). (2010-03-12). "Brad Little Unmasked=沒帶面具的小麵包演唱會".
143. Oliveros, Oliver. "Valdez, Ampil, Castro Headline BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS, 9/27".
144. "Vietnam-Philippines friendship concert in Hanoi".
145. (2012-03-27). "The Night of 1000 Voices at the Royal Albert Hall in May 2012".
146. (2012-06-05). "Jubilee Family Festival, Hyde Park June 2/3 2012 – Ramin Karimloo and the Disney concert".
147. (2014-06-05). "West End Women: This is a (wo)man's world".
148. Bublitz, Jacqueline. "DEFYING GRAVITY Down Under: Sutton Foster, Aaron Tveit & Betty Buckley Head to Oz for Stephen Schwartz Concert".
149. "Defying Gravity: the songs of Stephen Schwartz".
150. O'Donoghue, Natalie. "SOUND OF MUSICALS Comes to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall".
151. Gonzalez, Juan-Jose. "L'Auditori de Barcelona acogerá UNA NOCHE EN BROADWAY en diciembre".
152. "Una noche en Broadway con Andrew Lloyd Webber y la OBC".
153. Cester, Xavier. (2017-12-24). "L'OBC celebra el Nadal amb Lloyd Webber".
154. Policarpio, Allan. (2018-02-13). "'Love Wins' celebrates Joanna Ampil's dreams, achievements as an artist".
155. "LIST: February 2019 concerts in the Philippines".
156. "Celebrate OPM of old and new at 'Pinoy Playlist' music fest this October".
157. TheaterFansManila.com. (2020-04-12). "WATCH: CCP Streams "Bulawan", its 50th Anniversary Concert to Launch CCP Online".
158. "Fivera Goes West End with Joanna Ampil".
159. "VIVA Fiesta 2023 - Esplanade Theatre (29 Aug.2023) {{!}} VIVA Foundation for children with cancer".
160. Orosa, Carlo. "Anywhere We Sing is Home: A showcase of outstanding theater talents".
161. (2023-09-05). "Line-up for next West End Musical Halloween announced".
162. (2023-09-05). "West End Musical Halloween line up to include Aimie Atkinson, Joaquin Pedro Valdes & Joanna Ampil {{!}} West End Theatre".
163. (2023-10-27). "West End Does: Christmas reveals 2023 line-up".
164. Button, Simon. (2023-12-14). "My Favourite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert review: Something wonderful indeed".