Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

WHEN Stephanie Reese visited the Philippines to do volunteer work for Gawad Kalinga, little did she know that she’d be creating a name for herself in her mother’s home country.

She was already known outside Manila, at least in the theater circuit as she has tackled the roles in Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The King and I, and of course, as Kim in Miss Saigon.

Before she knew it, she was performing before audiences who were clamoring for encore numbers and who awarded her with much-deserved standing ovations. For her, there was no turning back.

Come Saturday, November 7, Stephanie will embark on yet another undertaking: this time as the first Filipino-American singer to perform at the Carnegie Hall.

"It is going to be a night of really exciting music, stuff that I am known to do, old favorites and my little acts in between. And of course the cause—a hundred percent of the proceeds will be for the benefit for Gawad Kalinga and will also help flood victims," Stephanie shared.

In a nutshell, she added that those who will watch her show should "expect to laugh, to cry and to feel inspired."

It is not the first time that Stephanie is performing at the famous concert hall. When she was younger, her choir performed at the Carnegie Hall. Now, the stage is hers alone.

A couple of weeks ago, Stephanie arrived from Manila where she staged a repeat of her successful I Am Stephanie Reese concert at the Music Museum, where she wowed the audience yet again.

Music critics raved about her Manila performance as "highly versatile, fascinating singer-actress who startled and stunned." "Stephanie was a revelation… She sang each number with the intensity of a 100-meter dash," said another.

Since her arrival from Manila, Stephanie has been working really hard to make the Carnegie Hall show unforgettable, which means a lot of sleepless nights. From promotions to script to concept, she is so hands-on.