Pressure on for Francine-Seth tandem

By Marinel Cruz Inquirer.net

YOUNG stars Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin, whose onscreen partnership— “FranSeth”—was launched via the mystery-drama “Dirty Linen,” admitted to feeling nervous about how the audience would react to their new tandem. They confessed that they expected to receive hate comments, too.

“Yes, we have been feeling the heavy weight on our shoulders since we joined this project’s story con. We were expecting to get a lot of negative comments or bashing from the audience, but thank God, there was none. Also, we chose to deal with the pressure by working hard to portray our characters well,” Francine told Inquirer Entertainment during a recent interview.

Francine and Seth used to be part of the nowdisbanded The Gold Squad of ABS-CBN. They were first seen as a team in the drama series “Kadenang Ginto,” but Francine was paired with Kyle Echarri, while Seth was partnered with Andrea Brillantes.

“It helps that Francine and I are good friends. I actually asked her first if it was OK with her to work with me in a love team. We are determined to make this partnership work. We are aware that people are watching us to see what we will do,” added Seth.

The actor said the pressure is actually coming from the fact that the network, particularly

Dreamscape Entertainment, invested in them and the project. “The company thought that pairing us up was worth a try. They’re observing us because this is our first project together. It’s up to us to turn this team-up into something big that will benefit the show and the network. We’re pressured because we want to prove that we deserve this opportunity,” he pointed out.

Francine agreed with Seth and added: “I feel that people have their eyes on us, waiting to see if we will fail or commit any mistakes. Seth and I talked about this—our goal is to play our characters well and give justice to the story because ‘Dirty Linen’ is not your ordinary teleserye. It doesn’t just tell one story. It has many layers, and each of these layers makes up the whole project. Seth and I would like to think that our characters’ storyline—the layer that we’re part of—is also important.”

Fortune and influence “Dirty Linen,” which also stars Janine Gutierrez and Zanjoe Marudo, began airing on the Kapamilya Channel on Jan. 23. However, the pilot week was all about introducing the main story arc and the major characters. Francine and Seth’s characters, Chiara and Nico, respectively, will be seen more frequently in the coming weeks.

Chiara is the youngest of the powerful Fiero clan. In spite of the family’s fortune and influence, Chiara feels alone and unwanted by her parents. She rebels as a way to get their attention and acceptance. Nico, meanwhile, is smart and hardworking. He receives a scholarship grant in the city that eventually paves the way for him to meet Chiara.

Asked how she was able to relate to her character, Francine said: “It’s true that, unlike Chiara, I’m surrounded by love at home, but there was a time when I also felt so alone and was desperate for other people’s company. I was looking for someone to listen to me and understand what I was going through, but no matter how I tried to explain my situation to friends, it still felt like they didn’t get me.

“I’ve managed to overcome that phase in my life, I’m OK now. It’s just that, in order to play Chiara, I had to return to that time and sort of open wounds that had already healed. I had to do this to portray Chiara more realistically,” Francine explained.

Meanwhile, Seth described Nico as “the purest character in the entire series.” When we asked him to explain what he meant, Seth said it’s hard to share details that will not spoil the story for its audience. “Nico grew up not knowing anything about the plans of his father (Joel Torre) and sister (Janine) to exact revenge on the Fieros.

He is also unaware that other members of what he considers his family are in on the plan, as well. In the beginning, he appears to be a typical student who studies hard to fulfill his dreams and help his family financially.” n

Jose Llana said, “This is a dream: to be a Filipino actor, playing a Filipino character, telling a crucial part of Filipino history, which is also part of American history. I’m honored to return to Here Lies Love. We built a family creating this show 10 years ago, and now we get to do it again on Broadway. See you on the dance floor!”

For his part, Conrad Ricamora said, “Working on Here Lies Love allowed me to embrace my Filipino heritage––all that Pinoy pride! This is a huge moment for increasing representation on stage, and I’m so excited and proud to bring this revolutionary show to Broadway.”

An international casting search is now underway for the remaining company of 20+ actors.

Ticket information

As the official card sponsor of “Here Lies Love,” American Express® card members have Early Access to exclusive presale tickets before the general public, from Monday, March 13 at 10 a.m. EST through Monday, March 20 at 9:59 a.m. EST at Telecharge.com.

Presale tickets for “Here Lies Love” are available exclusively to Audience Rewards® members from Monday, March 20 at 10 a.m. ET through Wednesday, March 22 at 9:59 a.m. ET. It’s free and fast to join at www. AudienceRewards.com.

Audience Rewards is the Official Rewards Program of Broadway, providing membership benefits and rewards for more than 2.7 million members and representing more than a quarter of all Broadway tickets purchased through Ticketmaster and Telecharge. Free and easy to join, Audience Rewards allows buyers to earn Show Points on every ticket purchase, to be redeemed for free tickets, theater collectibles, unique experiences, and more. Founded in 2008 by a unique coalition of prominent theater owners, including Nederlander, Shubert, and Jujamcyn, major national presenters, and key performing arts centers from across the country, Audience Rewards has offered members first access presales to more than 100 Broadway shows and 200 VIP experiences and events, which have included a meet and greet with Jake Gyllenhaal, a walk-on role in Rock of Ages, a cooking class with Gavin Creel & Celia KeenanBolger, celebrity Q&As, backstage tours and much more.

Tickets are on sale to the general public beginning Monday, March 27 at 10 a.m. EST online at Telecharge.com or by phone at 212239-6200.

For information on groups of 10+, contact Broadway Inbound at broadwayinbound. com or call 866-302-0995.

More information about the wide variety of standing and seating options available throughout the theater’s reconstructed space will be announced soon. Sign up now at HereLiesLoveBroadway.com for early access to tickets.

Additional show information

From its world premiere at The Public Theater in 2013, “Here Lies Love” has enjoyed popular and critical acclaim. The show returned to The Public in 2014-2015, debuted at London’s Royal National Theatre in 2014, and most recently opened at Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2017.

The creative team for Here Lies Love on Broadway includes three-time Tony Award® nominee David Korins (scenic design), Tony Award® winner Clint Ramos (costume design), Tony Award® winner Justin Townsend (lighting design), M.L. Dogg & Cody Spencer (sound design), and three-time Tony Award® nominee Peter Nigrini (projection design), with casting by Tara Rubin CSA, Xavier Rubiano CSA, Gail Quintos and general management by Foresight Theatrical. Additional creative team members include ATW Jonathan Larson Grant recipient J. Oconer Navarro (music director), Billy Bustamante (assistant director), Renée Albulario (assistant choreographer), Bobby Garcia (casting consultant/Philippines), Gregory T. Livoti (production stage manager), and Ryan Gohsman and Sheryl Polancos (assistant stage managers). Giselle “G” Töngi is the show’s Cultural and Community Liaison.

“Here Lies Love is produced” by Hal Luftig, Patrick Catullo, Diana DiMenna for Plate Spinner Productions, Clint Ramos, and Jose Antonio Vargas, with Aaron Lustbader serving as Executive Producer. They are joined by Giselle “G” Töngi, Celia Kaleialoha Kenney, Bobby Garcia and Girlie Rodis, Miranda Gohh, Rob Laqui, Georgina Pazcoguin, Yasuhiro Kawana, Triptyk Studios, Shira Friedman, and Hunter Arnold/TBD Theatricals. n

Only for reel: Barbie Forteza...

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“I never felt the need to reassure him. He trusts me. He’s patient,” she added. “I’m lucky to have him.”

And despite the love team’s success, the fact remains that Jak has been by her side for years and has held her hand through ups and downs. “Success won’t just make me forget that one person who has been making me happy for the past five years and counting; the person who was with me during the pandemic; the person I can share my struggles and victories with,” she said.

Besides, David isn’t one to make a move on women in committed relationships. “I was never like that. I know my boundaries. I respect their relationships. Barbie and I are good friends, and we know our boundaries. Work is work. And we love our work,” said the actor, who’s also on good terms with Jak. “I have big respect for Jak. He’s a kind person. I have worked with him and found him to be a genuine and hardworking man,” David added. n