The Sweet Way Dingdong Dantes Encouraged Marian Rivera To Take On Her First Theater Role

We know her as Darna, Marimar, Dyesebel, and maaany other strong female characters, but this February, Marian Rivera is starring in her first-ever theater play as a vice president! In an exclusive interview with Summit Media journalists, Marian talked about how she first heard of password: 03d1pu5_R3x—and it involved her hubby Dingdong Dantes.

Marian shares: "Si Dong po kinausap niya ako, ang sabi niya, 'May big project ang Ateneo, play ito. Ganito yung character.' Ako naman, noong kinukuwento niya sa akin, sabi ko, 'Wow, gawin mo 'yan Dad, kaya mo 'yan!' Sabi niya, 'Ayun ang masaklap, kasi hindi ako yung gusto nila, ikaw ang gusto nila." 

According to the play's director Ronan Capinding, Marian was really his first choice for the role! Shocked, Marian initially had doubts about joining the project: "Ako ay naduwag, dahil pakiramdam ko ay hindi ko po ito kakayanin...Parang salitang teatro pa lang, parang, whoa, sandali lang. Medyo kinakabahan ako diyan. Parang hindi ko yata kakayanin 'yan!"

"Hanggang sa sabi sa akin ng asawa ko: 'Bago ka matakot, bago mo i-entertain 'yang kaduwagan mo na 'yan, kausapin mo muna si Sir Ron sa mga dapat mong malaman. Baka 'pag mayroon kang mga question na masagot niya ay mapa-oo ka namin."

She met with Direk Ron, and Dingdong kept ~*bugging*~ her about her final decision. Marian researched about her character, really studied the lines, and constantly talked to the director whenever she had questions. 

password: 03d1pu5_R3x, which was filmed from the actors' own homes, is actually a modern-day adaptation of the classic Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. The play is "a story of a charismatic leader's downfall" and password: 03d1pu5_R3x takes place in "the current global situation of pandemic isolation and despair." 

Fun fact: Marian's role, Vice President Kreon, was actually male in the original play. Marian shares: "Ako po ay bise presidente ng lalawigan na ang character ay very firm na babae na may paninindigan, although mayroon rin namang pusong mamon." Watch the video below to know more about Marian's first project as a theater actress: 

Marian Rivera talks about first theatre role 

password: 03d1pu5_R3x will be available for streaming on February 22, 25, and 27. Tickets (which can be purchased through Ticket2Me) are worth P150 for general viewing and P250 for general viewing coupled with a souvenir program. 

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