THE very talented Rachel Alejandro returns to the stage via Atlantis Production’s staging of the Broadway hit Xanadu, a comedy musical based on the cult classic of the same name that originally starred Olivia Newton-John. It spawned a number of hits, such as “Suddenly,” “Magic” and the title song. Rachel stars with Felix Rivera and plays the muse Clio. It runs until September 19 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Building, Makati City.

For tickets: Atlantis Productions, 892-7078.

It’s your nth time to do a project with Atlantis. How does it feel?

I’m really excited to be doing this new piece with Atlantis. I enjoy working with Atlantis because of two major reasons: They tend to bring in material that I’m interested in doing; and their rehearsal process is very organized. I feel no time is wasted waiting. Every minute I spend in the rehearsal studio is time well spent.

How did you land the role, and how will this production differ from the Broadway version?

Bobby Garcia (who heads Atlantis) offered the role to me after seeing Xanadu on Broadway. They already had plans of bringing it in. As for the difference, it will be in the portrayals. I’d like to think that every actor in this production brings a different flavor to show with their unique interpretations of their roles. Also, I think the good chemistry Felix Rivera and I had on Avenue Q is even more apparent here. The audience will be kilig I think, because it’s a love story, as well as a comedy.

Tell me about the rollerskating. Did you have to train for it?

Yes, I took lessons with a skating instructor here in Manila, while the boys in the cast took lessons in New York. What I really had to learn was to take away my fear. It’s hard to skate when you’re tense.

How does it feel tackling a role that helped make Olivia Newton John famous?

I’ve been an Olivia Newton-John fan since I was small. I grew up singing her songs. I even asked my dad to buy me rollerskates when I was six years old because I wanted to be Olivia in that movie! (Laughs) I never got to learn to skate, though, until now.  Well, my wish has come true!

You’re now more active in theater. Does this mean concert performing is taking a back seat?

I just did a concert with Dingdong Avanzado at Metro Bar last weekend. I also continue to perform with my dad and Geneva (Cruz) in many shows here and abroad. So, no, my concert performing is still in full swing, although I balance it with theater.

Speaking of that concert, sorry to go chismis with you but your ex, the one you just had a concert with, Dingdong—he and Jessa (Zaragoza) are allegedly having marital problems, and your name got dragged into it. Care to comment.

I hope they work it out. They have a beautiful daughter who needs them both present in her life. I don’t know the specifics of their problems because Dingdong has not shared anything with me about it. I don’t want to pry and I find it completely ridiculous that anyone could conceive that I would have anything to do with their marital problems.

Anyway, back to the real questions. You just released a new album. Tell me about it.

It’s called Believe, and it’s my first album in six years. It’s a pop album but I also included showtunes such as “Xanadu,” “Fine Fine Line” (Avenue Q) and “Don’t Stop Believing” (Rock of Ages). Sony BMG is also releasing my CD lite singing Olivia Newton-John songs from Xanadu like “Suddenly,” “Have You Never Been Mellow” and “Magic”.

What was the must-include song of that album?

I really made sure I had great original Tagalog ballads in this album. That’s what I’m known for after all.

You’ve been part of the OPM industry for quite some time now. What can you say about the organization becoming more active again?

I hope the new administration will be more supportive of OPM and what it is trying to achieve. I trust that the new OPM officers, Ogie (Alcasid) and Dingdong, among them, will start to make a difference with their efforts in the years to come.

What’s next for Rachel after Xanadu?

My health food-catering business, The Sexy Chef, is launching new diet programs and I’m in charge of promoting them. We currently have the South Beach diet, the Pounds Away Calorie Controlled Diet, the Body After Baby Program for new moms looking to lose baby weight, and, soon, the Sugar Buster Diet for diabetics. For details, check out www.thesexychef.ph or call 721sexy (7399). It will be a very busy year for us.