Oliver Oliveros

MAMMA MIA! In Manila Extends Till 2/19

2012-01-25T13:52:00.000-05:00

Mamma Mia! at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
extends until Sunday, February 19; poster image
c/o Concertus Inc.

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Manila, Philippines, January 25, 2012 – True blue ABBA fans have an additional one week to catch the international touring production of composers and lyricists Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and book writer Catherine Johnson’s smash musical Mamma Mia! at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Previously slated to close on February 14, Concertus Inc., one of the local producers behind Mamma Mia!, has just announced the show’s final extension: must close February 19.

Mamma Mia! opened in Manila on January 24 to a very enthusiastic audience that danced in the aisles to the show’s finale megamix: a medley of ABBA’s greatest hits that includes “Mamma Mia,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Waterloo” done in a concert style.

Presented by Infinity, powered by Smart, and Citibank, Mamma Mia!, which is widely regarded as the mother ship of jukebox musicals on Broadway and in London’s West End, features 22 songs by ABBA, a Swedish pop music group formed by Andersson and Ulvaeus in the '70s. Apart from “Dancing Queen” and "Mamma Mia," radio hits "Take A Chance On Me,” Voulez-Vouz,” and "The Winner Takes It All," are show-stopping musical numbers from the show.

Johnson's script, which is set on a Greek island where a wedding is about to take place, adds a dramatic structure that melds together ABBA's discography.

Included in the Manila run are actresses Sara Poyzer (Donna Sheridan, the mother of the bride), Charlotte Wakefield (Sophie Sheridan, the bride), Rosie Heath (Ali, Sophie’s bridesmaid), and Tasha Taylor Thompson (Lisa, Sophie’s bridesmaid).

Mamma Mia’s international touring company has played to theatergoers in the United Kingdom, Dubai, Germany, Sweden, Prague, New Zealand, Turkey, China, and Tapei.

For tickets to Mamma Mia!, visit BroadwayWorld Philippines’ show listings section [Click Here].

The international touring cast of Mamma Mia! recently met with the local press: (L-R): Tasha Taylor Johnson (Lisa), Kelly Edwards (dance captain), Sara Poyzer (Donna Sheridan), Charlotte Wakefield (Sophie Sheridan), and Rosie Heath (Ali); photo by Jory Rivera

Also, avail of current Mamma Mia! promos

Mamma Mia! Cebu Pacific Air Promo

Cebu Pacific Air passengers get an exclusive 10% discount on Mamma Mia! tickets: log on to Cebu Pacific Air website at www.cebupacificair.com till February 15 for details.

Mamma Mia! Dusit Thani Manila Promo

Till February 18, Dusit Thani Manila offers the Mamma Mia! Room Packages where guests have the opportunity to watch Mamma Mia! while enjoying luxurious accommodations in the city. This room package includes an overnight stay; buffet breakfast for two at Basix All-Day Dining Restaurant; two orchestra tickets to Mamma Mia!; plus a complimentary roundtrip car transfers to and from the Cultural Center of the Philippines. A limited-edition Mamma Mia! original cast recording CD is given away as a special commemorative gift to club and grand room guests. Package rates start at PhP 15,500+. For information, call (632) 238-8888.

Rustan's Mamma Mia! Raffle

For every single-receipt purchase of PhP 3,000 at Rustan's Makati, Shangri-La, Alabang, Gateway, Cebu, RP Essenses, Red Tag, and Newport Stores, the customer receives one raffle ticket. Rustan's will draw 25 winners of Mamma Mia! tickets worth PhP 5,000 each, and 18 winners of tickets worth PhP 7,000 each. Promo Duration: January 18 – February 8.

Photo Flash: LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE In Manila

2012-01-23T22:59:00.001-05:00

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo in Love, Loss, and What
I Wore; photo by Jory Rivera

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Co-written by Precious Lee Cundangan

Manila, Philippines, January 23, 2012 – Falling in love is sweeter the second time around, and it’s true in the case of Love, Loss, and What I Wore, an Off Broadway play that you would fall in love with, and would love to see over and over again. For that reason alone, Manila-based CTE Productions brought back Love, Loss, and What I Wore for another run at RCBC Theater in Makati City last weekend. Michael Williams (Sweeney Todd, Defending the Caveman) and Cathy Azanza-Dy (Defending the Caveman) teamed up again as co-directors for Love, Loss, and What I Wore, which was first performed in Manila in July 2011.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore’s ultrachic, straightforward, and compelling script is penned by sisters Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle) and Delia Ephron (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Hanging Up). Based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman, Love, Loss, and What I Wore vividly recalls a collection of funny, emotional, heartwarming, and sometimes heartbreaking stories from various women who remembered important times in their lives through the clothes they wore: from prom dresses to memories of what mothers would say about their daughters’ sense of style; from women’s gamut of emotions inside the dressing room to those cowboy boots that make a woman feel and look sexy and tough – and even Madonna – the play talks about fashion only women would understand.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore, which is currently running on Off Broadway, has had featured notable actresses like Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls); Alicia Silverstone (Clueless); Betty White (Golden Girls); Brooke Shields (Blue Lagoon, Grease); Fran Drescher (The Nanny); Jamie Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos, Entourage), Jane Lynch (Glee); Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Rita Wilson (Sleepless in Seattle), and Rosie O'Donnell (Grease), to name a few.

For last weekend’s run in Manila, Jay Valencia-Glorioso, acclaimed classical vocalist and theater performer, headlined the cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore, together with other theater luminaries: Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, also Repertory Philippines’ associate artistic director; Azanza-Dy; Liza Infante-Robinson, also Repertory Philippines’ treasurer; and Bituin Escalante, a multi-award winning recording artist.

Love, Lost, and What I Wore may look like a “girl thing” on the onset but it should also cater to men – the play could help men understand what goes through a woman’s mind, and her often misunderstood, abused heart.

For more photos, click HERE.

Spotlight Artists Centre Holds Auditions for KATY!, 1/29

2012-01-22T14:30:00.006-05:00

Spotlight Artists Centre, which staged the Manila

revival of original Filipino musical Magsimula Ka last year,

is bringing back the smash Filipino musical

Katy! this year!; image c/o Spotlight Artists Centre

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Manila, Philippines, January 22, 2012 – Ryan Cayabyab (music) and Jose Javier Reyes’ (book and lyrics) hugely successful original Filipino musical, Katy!, a musical based on the life and times of the “Queen of Philippine Jazz” Katy dela Cruz (1907-2004), is making its way back to the stage this year! Acclaimed theater and recording artists-cum-performance teachers Isay Alvarez, Robert Seña, and Tricia Amper Jimenez’s Spotlight Artists Centre is on top of this much-anticipated theatrical event.

Auditions for major roles, like Katy (25-40 years old); male lead (25-40 years old); and young Katy’s father (45-55 years old) will be held on Sunday, January 29. Auditionees should prepare a song from the musical like “Minsan Ang Minahal Ay Ako,” “Sari-Saring Babae,” “Balut,” etc. or a jazz song. Call Yssa at (632)899-8089 or (63)922-8986644 for more information and registration requirements.

“Katy!” was originally produced by Celeste Legaspi and Girlie Rodis; the show premiered at the now-defunct Rizal Theater in 1989, which later transferred to the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Legaspi, Mitch Valdez, Bernardo Bernardo, and Marco Sison starred in the original production, directed by Nestor Torre.

2011 BWW Philippines Awards Winners Announced!

2012-01-21T18:37:00.005-05:00

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

After an intense internal auditing process, the results are in for the 2011 BroadwayWorld (BWW) Philippines Awards!

This year's nomination and voting periods broke online traffic records and we couldn't be more excited to announce the winners from the Philippines, which were chosen by our avid readers: Nikki Gil (Sweet Charity); OJ Mariano (Rent); Ciara Sotto (Sweet Charity), Cris Villonco (The Joy Luck Club), Vince Tañada (Cory ng Edsa); Martin Delos Santos (Ang Post Office); Shamaine Buencamino (Fake); Jeremy Domingo (American Hwangap); original Filipino musical Cory Ng Edsa; The Play Company and Ma-Yi Theater Company’s original play American Hwangap; 9 Works Theatrical; and Resorts World Manila are among this year’s top winners.

Nominations were submitted on October 2011, and voting ran through midnight of December 31, 2011.

Best Leading Actress (Musical)
Nikki Gil - Sweet Charity - 9 Works Theatrical

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Musical)
OJ Mariano - Rent - 9 Works Theatrical

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Musical)
Ciara Sotto - Sweet Charity - 9 Works Theatrical

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Play)
Cris Villonco - The Joy Luck Club - Repertory Philippines

Best Leading Actor (Musical)
Vince Tañada - Cory ng Edsa - Philippine Stagers Foundation

Best Leading Actor (Play)
Martin Delos Santos - Ang Post Office - PETA

Best Leading Actress (Play)
Shamaine Buencamino - Fake - UP Playwrights' Theater

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Play)
Jeremy Domingo - American Hwangap - Tanghalang Pilipino

Best Musical
Cory ng Edsa - Philippine Stagers Foundation

Best Play
American Hwangap - Tanghalang Pilipino

Best Direction of a Musical
Vince Tañada - Cory ng Edsa - Philippine Stagers Foundation

Best Direction of a Play
Gary Labad - Ang Post Office - PETA

Best Choreography
John San Antonio - Cory ng Edsa - Philippine Stagers Foundation

Best Costume Design
Emy Tañada - Cory ng Edsa - Philippine Stagers Foundation

Best Lighting Design
Shoko Matsumoto - Next To Normal - Atlantis Productions Inc.

Best Musical Direction
Pipo Cifra - Cory ng Edsa - Philippine Stagers Foundation

Best Set Design
Jeffrey Ambrosio - Cory ng Edsa - Philippine Stagers Foundation

Best Sound Design
Art Grabentina - Cory ng Edsa - Philippine Stagers Foundation

Best Theater Company
9 Works Theatrical

Best Theatrical Venue
Resorts World Manila

Congratulations to all the winners!

BWW Phils. Interview: PRISCILLA's J. Elaine Marcos Talks Ping-Pong Balls, Pink Boas & More

2012-01-21T02:54:00.001-05:00

TV, film, and Broadway actress J. Elaine Marcos

By Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

New York, January 18, 2012 – TV, film, and Broadway actress J. Elaine Marcos can’t shy away from the fact that she’s a distant relative of the Marcoses, the Philippines’ most controversial political clan. Apart from the obvious last name and broadly similar facial features as Imee Marcos, the current governor of the northern province of Ilocos Norte, J. Elaine even made a cameo appearance as Imee’s mom, Imelda Marcos, the Philippines’ former first lady, in the Broadway musical comedy The Wedding Singer five years ago. Nonetheless, the Marcoses (and Filipinos around the world) should pay attention to this petite, brown-skinned, talented actress – J. Elaine happens to be carrying an impressive Broadway resume that includes Miss Saigon, Flower Drum Song, Wonderful Town, Sweet Charity, again The Wedding Singer, A Chorus Line, and her latest assignment, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, where she does a show-stealing turn as Cynthia, a feisty Filipina mail-order bride who performs the late ‘70s hit single “Pop Muzik” (interspersed with lyrics in Filipino, e.g. “isa, dalawa, tatlo, I’m rapping in Filipino”) while blowing out ping-pong balls into the audience.

“Comedy, first of all, is something I absolutely love. If there’s one thing that I really know very well, it’s this character [Cynthia]. I’ve said many times that Cynthia’s like my mom: Cynthia's over-the-topness – that kind of exaggerated persona – is what I love to do because I don’t ever really get to do that at all in my real life. When it comes to other comedies, I tend to do it completely subtle and dry. With Cynthia, I feel completely at home doing it. I don’t feel artificial,” J. Elaine tells BroadwayWorld.com in an exclusive one-on-one interview. “However, I’m not really good at ping-pong. But, I’m good at bowling; I’d go for the big balls,” she bursts out.

J. Elaine Marcos as Cynthia in Broadway's
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert;
photo by Joan Marcus

American singer, actress, and comedian Bette Midler brings the screen-to-stage adaptation of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert to Broadway, which opened at Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) in March 2011 and recently announced performance schedules running through September 2012. The Tony Award-winning musical (Best Costume Design for Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner) tells the story of Bernadette (Tony Sheldon), Mitzi (Will Swenson), and Adam (Nick Adams) – three drag queens-cum-best friends who engage in their wildest road trip ever (driving the “Priscilla” bus across the Australian desert), where they meet J. Elaine’s Cynthia and husband to Cynthia, Bob (C. David Johnson), an Australian mechanic who eventually joins the drag queens’ expedition.

Except for Tony, who originated the role of Bernadette in Australia five years ago, J. Elaine, Will, Nick, C. David, and the rest of the original Broadway cast of Priscilla first performed their respective roles via the North American premiere of Priscilla in Toronto, six months prior to opening on Broadway. J. Elaine recalls, “The Canadians loved it. I’m not used to an audience getting up, dancing, pumping fists in the air, and wearing [pink] boas at the same time. Especially in the last show I was in, which was A Chorus Line, there wasn’t even an opportunity on that show at the very end for the audience to clap because we had this finale ["One"] which people think was our last number; but that was actually our bows. They were singing along with it; they were just sitting in their seats; but, they never had the opportunity to clap.”

In contrast, she adds, “I remember in Toronto, the first time we did the show, the cast was really shocked with the amount of enthusiasm coming back from the audience. I remember Tony saying, ‘I knew you guys would be amazed at the reception we’re getting; you would be getting it every night.’ And, it does feel good…The audience knows the show’s music, e.g. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Material Girl,” and “I Will Survive.” You just kind of let go and you don’t have to worry so much about the lyrics of the songs. In the finale, I’ll be looking at the audience and I’ll notice, literally, a random group of Filipinos would be waving at me and I'll be waving back at them."

Apparently, among Priscilla’s opening night audience in Canada was J. Elaine’s mom, her sole inspiration in creating the hilarious role of Cynthia. “My mom just laughed when she saw the show in Toronto. I would say that she definitely felt so honoured because everyone remembers Cynthia. I don’t think that she realized that the audience loves Cynthia because she’s kind of crazy though, “ J. Elaine bursts into loud laughter. “But, I’m glad that people have embraced Cynthia, in a sense, love her.”

J. Elaine Marcos rehearses for Priscilla: Queen of the Desert in Toronto;
photo by Racheal McCaig

An alumna of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, J. Elaine first came to the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of” in 1994. “I took a two-year program at AMDA – pretty much singing and acting all day for two years. Then, I kept on till I got to working on Broadway then TV and film (which includes appearances in NBC’s 30 Rock and Lipstick Jungle; and a feature role in Morning Glory, a comedy film with Rachel McAdams and Harrison Ford, among others).” Even though working on TV and film is more financially rewarding compared to working in a musical theater production, J. Elaine wouldn’t mind filming during the day and performing in the theater in the evening. “I love the theater because of the gut feeling of the live audience and the immediate reaction. It’s so fast. Doing a film is also wonderful; but let’s be honest, television and film pay much more. But I’m very grateful because [both TV and film] people recognize my work in Priscilla.”

Recently nominated as one of the Outstanding Filipino-Americans in New York, together with other Filipino actors who have been making a name for themselves on Broadway like MiG Ayesa (Rock of Ages) and T.V. Carpio (Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark), J. Elaine is so amazed with the strong bond among Filipino artists working in American theater. “We all know each other. They’re only a few of us, and we respect each other,” she says. “Miss Saigon was my Broadway debut (last one year and a half before it closed in 2001). That was the first time that I really was able to embrace my Filipino culture in a way. During dinner time, someone would bring [Filipino food] kare-kare or dinuguan. The dressing room smelled like food – our food. Miss Saigon really brought a lot of Filipinos together.”

Consequently, Filipino artists continue to conquer the bright lights of Times Square till this day: George Salazar and Ana Maria Perez de Tagle star in the first Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell; Catherine Ricafort stars as Ali in Broadway’s current 10th longest-running musical, Mamma Mia!; Bobby Lopez has been consistently winning Tony Awards for his original scores for musicals, for instance, his works for 2003’s hit musical Avenue Q and today’s hottest show in town, The Book of Mormon; and of course, J. Elaine never ceases in bringing the house down every night at Priscilla.

J. Elaine stresses that “in the workplace, we always make fun of stereotypes because we know our types: I know I’m short, Asian, Filipino. Another guy knows that he’s the tall, black guy. We look at the breakdowns: that’s what we see, and that’s what it is. But, we know we’re more than that. It’s not an issue amongst us. Thankfully, we know it takes a lot to get a job. In musical theater, they really put you into a wringer. They want to make sure you can sing, act, dance, and you can harmonize. Everyone made it through the wringer, so we’re more than just our types.”

“I’m going to stay with the Priscilla as long as it runs. Like I said, it feels like home. It’s a good thing!” she exclaims as BroadwayWorld.com wraps up the interview.

Priscilla: Queen of the Desert at Broadway’s Palace Theatre is currently offering winter season tickets starting at $43. You may purchase tickets at www.priscillaonbroadway.com.

Photo Flash: Geoffrey Nauffts' NEXT FALL Opens In Manila, 1/13-2/5

2012-01-13T17:02:00.000-05:00

Repertory Philippines' production of Geoffrey Naughts' Next Fall stars Bart Guingona
and David Bianco; photo by Jory Rivera

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Co-written by Precious C. Lee Cundangan

Manila, Philippines, January 13, 2012 – Repertory Philippines (Rep.), the country’s premier English-speaking theater company, is celebrating 45 years in business by opening its 75th season with New York University Tisch School of the Arts alumnus and playwright Geoffrey Nauffts’ Broadway dramedy Next Fall, a moving story of a gay couple whose religious differences add tensions and contradictions to their five-year romantic relationship. The play “takes a witty and provocative look at faith, commitment, unconditional love, and what goes beyond a typical love story,” according to Rep.

Audie Gemora, who recently won a Best Direction citation at the Aliw Awards for his work on the original Filipino musical Noli Me Tangere, directs Next Fall, his second straight play directorial job for Rep. after Equus.

David Bianco plays Luke; photo by Jory Rivera

Leading the production’s cast is theater stalwart Bart Guingona, who plays Adam, a cynical atheist whose non-committal, no-nonsense take on religion is challenged when his partner meets an accident; co-starring with Guingona is David Bianco, an actor from Theatreworks USA, who plays Luke, Adam’s boyfriend, an aspiring thespian and a devout born again Christian.

Also in the cast are Liesl Batucan, who plays Holly, Adam and Luke’s common friend, and owner of the candle shop where the couple works; Niccolo Manahan, who plays Brandon, Luke’s gay Christian friend; Juno Henares, who plays Arlene, Luke’s eccentric mom; and Miguel Faustmann, who plays Butch, Luke’s religious father and Arlene’s former husband.

Next Fall premiered as an Off Broadway play, produced by Nauffts’ Naked Angels, at Peter Jay Sharp Theatre in the summer of 2009; the sold-out performances and rave reviews that the production earned that summer prompted a Broadway transfer to Helen Hayes Theatre in March 2010.

“[Next Fall's] the little play that could,” according to New York critic David Cote, garnered several awards and nominations, among them were the 2010 Outer Critics Circle Awards’ John Gassner Award for Nauffts; 2010 Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Outstanding Play, Best Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for Sean Dugan; 2010 Tony Award nominations for Best Play, Best Direction of a Play for Sheryl Kaller); and 2010 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding New Broadway Play.

Rep’s artistic, creative, and production team members behind Next Fall are Baby Barredo (artistic director), Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (associate artistic director), John Batalla (lighting designer), Denis Lagdameo (set designer), Gidget Tolentino (production manager), Ayam Barredo (company manager), Dingdong Rosales (stage manager), Pol Roxas (sound technician), Pablito Salvador (lighting technician), and Adul Lasin (set execution and scenic artist).

Next Fall runs from January 13 to February 5, 2012 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City; evening performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and matinee performances are on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. For tickets, visit BroadwayWorld Philippines show listings’ section [Click Here].

For more photos, Click Here.

BWW Phils. Interview: Fredison Lo Talks SOUND OF MUSIC, RENT, Anne Curtis & More

2012-01-12T02:34:00.003-05:00

De La Salle University-Manila alumnus and Stages talent Fredison Lo stars as
Rolf in Resorts World Manila's current production of the Broadway musical
The Sound of Music; photo c/o Stages Production Specialists Inc.

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Co-written by Jude Cartalaba

Manila, Philippines, January 11, 2012 – Perceived as a boy-next-door type by many young theater habitués and TV 5 viewers, Fredison Lo (Fred Lo to his theater colleagues and former schoolmates at De La Salle University-Manila), has started out a career niche in the theater by essaying lead roles in major musical productions of Rent (Mark Cohen) and Trumpets’ N.O.A.H (Narrator/God); and has recently been exploring acting on mainstream television too via TV 5’s remake of the ‘70s-‘80s popular sitcom Iskul Bukol, where he played the role of the young professor Rude Valentino.

“[As to being typecast as a take-home-to-mama guy] Well, I try to be as nice as I can be whenever I deal with people. But, I don’t exactly label myself like that because in every experience that I have, it changes me in some way, helping me grow as a person. And, I do admit to having a dark side,” Lo told BroadwayWorld.com at Resort World Manila’s recent press conference for its extended run of the beloved Broadway musical The Sound of Music. Lo has been tapped to breathe life into the character of Rolf (with Marvin Ong as alternate actor), the young Nazi messenger whom Liesl von Trapp has fallen head over heels with, and who will eventually betray the von Trapp family in the play.

Among the characters he has played in the theater and on television so far, Lo finds playing the role of independent filmmaker, Mark, in the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Rent as the most challenging.

“For me, acting on stage isn’t about acting like someone but being the character itself. After figuring out what kind of person Mark was for me (his history, likes, dislikes, motivations, etc.), I tried incorporating who my image of Mark was into my own personality to create my version of him. In doing so, I was able to convey a character on stage that felt natural to me even though I wasn’t exactly like him, because I put part of myself into the character.”

Lo added, “[Iskul Bukol’s] Rude was more of a fun character to play. Rude was nice, smart, and serious yet naïve. His character dealt with trivial problems and had less depth, while Mark was deep and involved in more complicated and serious situations that left a lot of inner dialogues and conflicts to be discovered in his [spoken and sung] lines.”

Fredison Lo poses as Rolf; photo c/o Resorts World Manila

He also stressed that his role as Rolf, as opposed to Mark, reveals that “Rolf’s biggest conflict would be between his interest in Liesl von Trapp and his political views/inclinations. He technically has a clear and concise view of his path in life, and he follows it based on his instincts. Mark, on the one hand, is someone who’s looking for purpose and meaning to his life, and what he's doing. As the story progresses, we slowly see Mark’s growth and emotional battle through each experience he has in the play, while, Rolf’s journey is left to the imagination.”

During BroadwayWorld.com’s interview, Lo was vocal about auditioning for or playing the part of Simba’s nemesis, Scar, if ever Disney’s The Lion King would make it to the Philippines.

“I’ve always been curious of how I’d do as a villain,” he said.

“Frankly, I know that I don’t exactly fit the peg of a villain, that’s why I usually get protagonist roles. I guess, I just want to see what my other side is like on stage, just for a change. Also, I love The Lion King.”

Interestingly enough, if he were given the opportunity to be a leading man in a mainstream movie, he would be picking television host-turned-recording/concert artist Anne Curtis as his leading lady.

“… I’d love to work with Anne Curtis (after I get past the initial starstruck moment I always get when I see her); I think she’s one of those girls in showbiz who has grown in a lot of aspects and is very comfortable with who she is (and I find her hot, too!),” he burst into laughter.

Fredison Lo at Resorts World Manila's recent
press conference for The Sound of Music;
photo by Dale Bacar

Both local actresses and singers Sarah Geronimo, and Nikki Gil (who also does musicals, e.g. Legally Blonde, Sweet Charity) have surfaced as his choices to singing a duet, “I think it’d be cool to do a duet with the two ladies.”

Lo may not be in the league of the most bankable local mainstream entertainment stars just yet, but he has certainly earned some fiercely loyal fans, and still remains humble amidst his newfound celebrity status.

“Well, I’m not exactly a big celebrity. I’m practically a ‘baby’ when it comes to the showbiz industry. But I’ve had some experiences when people recognize me in the malls or in the streets; some of them even ask to take pictures, and it’s a really a good feeling to know that people hear or know of what you do after all the efforts you put into your work," he said. "I guess one disadvantage [of being a celebrity] is that your life matters to other people now; so, you have to be careful of the things you do because the bigger your name is, the more people pay attention to your life."

Lo knows what his passion is, and knows how and when to pursue that passion at the same time. BroadwayWorld.com wrapped up its interview with the theater and television actor by asking for his personal advice to young Filipino talents who have been trying to carve a niche for themselves in the same field of interest that he’s in.

“I honestly believe that the things that have been happening to me are because of the decisions and risks that I made, which helped me get to the right place and right time; and, I know that there will be a lot more places and times to end up in,” he said.

“But I’m not saying that you should wait for it and expect things to happen. Life still requires a lot of hard work and perseverance because disappointment is always the easiest and most common state to be in. Always ask yourself: ‘What have I done lately to make it (your dreams, goals, etc.) happen?’ As long as you keep preparing for it and never let rejection bring you down, you’re bound to end up in your right place and time.”

Catch theater heartthrob Fredison Lo as Rolf in Resort World Manila’s now long-running production of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s “The Sound of Music” at Newport Performing Arts Theatre until February 12. For tickets, visit BroadwayWorld Philippines show listings’ section [Click Here].

MAMMA MIA! Gives Backstage Tour; International Tour Opens in Manila 1/24

2012-01-09T17:10:00.001-05:00

Broadway and West End's hit musical Mamma Mia! opens in Manila on January 24;
photo c/o Mamma Mia! International Touring Company

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

New York, January 9, 2012 – Philippine-based ABS CBN lifestyle program host and entertainment reporter MJ Felipe recently flew all the way to Zurich, Switzerland to meet and conduct a behind-the-scenes tour with Mamma Mia’s international touring company’s stage manager, James Anderton and its cast. The touring production marked its 2,000th performance on the road in Zurich last November; its next stop is the Cultural Center of the Philippines, with limited engagement performances from January 24 to February 12.

On Broadway, Mamma Mia!, currently the 10th longest-running musical in Great White Way's history, which features the music and lyrics of Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, and book by Catherine Johnson, celebrated its 10 years at the Winter Garden Theatre with a street concert party in Times Square and the Empire State Building lit up in pink, white, and blue last October. Three Filipino Broadway actors are currently playing in Mamma Mia! on Broadway: Catherine Ricafort (Ali), Albert Guerzon (Ensemble/Eddie understudy), and Gerard Salvador (Ensemble/Pepper understudy).

Mamma Mia!, which is also widely regarded as the mother ship of jukebox musicals, contains 22 of the best radio hits of ABBA, a Swedish pop music group formed by Andersson and Ulvaeus in the '70s. "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Take A Chance On Me" and "The Winner Takes It All," are some of show-stopping musical numbers from the show.

Johnson's script, which is set on a Greek island where a wedding is about to take place, adds a dramatic structure that melds together ABBA's discography.

Included in the Manila run are actresses Sara Poyzer (Donna Sheridan, the mother of the bride), Charlotte Wakefield (Sophie Sheridan, the bride), Rosie Heath (Ali, Sophie’s bridesmaid), and Tasha Taylor Thompson (Lisa, Sophie’s bridesmaid).

Mamma Mia’s international touring company has played to theatergoers in the United Kingdom, Dubai, Germany, Sweden, Prague, New Zealand, Turkey, China, and Tapei.

For tickets to Mamma Mia! in Manila, visit BroadwayWorld Philippines show listings’ section [Click Here].

SOUND OF MUSIC Manila Releases New Promo Video; Show Extends Till 2/12

2012-01-07T12:53:00.000-05:00

Joanna Ampil stars in Resorts World Manila's production of
Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved musical The Sound of Music;
image c/o Resorts World Manila

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Manila, Philippines, January 7, 2012 – London-based musical theater actress Joanna Ampil (Miss Saigon, Avenue Q), who’s been playing the coveted role of postulant Maria Rainer (with Cris Villonco as alternate actress) in Resorts World Manila’s local production of Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers’ beloved musical The Sound of Music (SOM) for over three months now, would need to postpone her planned visit to New York City this winter because Resorts World has just announced SOM’s extended performances till February 12, 2012.

Resorts World held a press conference on January 5, which unveiled its new hit musical’s additional performances and Ampil’s new co-stars: Ariel Rivera (1896, Rama at Sita) plays Captain von Trapp (Audie Gemora and Jon Joven as alternate actors); Leo Martinez (Equus) plays Max Detweiler (Miguel Faustmann and Robbie Guevara as alternate actors); Sheila Valderrama (Wedding Singer, Sweet Charity) plays Baroness Elsa Schraeder; and Fred Lo (Rent, N.O.A.H.) plays Rolf (Marvin Ong as alternate actor). Furthermore, Resorts World has released its new promo video, which shows Ampil as Maria: wearing her postulant’s habit while singing out solfege syllables at a recording studio.

SOM is Ampil’s second major musical project in Manila; the first one was West Side Story, where she played the young, love-struck Maria opposite international recording artist Christian Bautista’s Tony. Prior to her local assignments, she had starred in the London productions of Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables, Hair, Rent, and Avenue Q. She also recorded the vocals of Kim in the complete symphonic recording of Miss Saigon in 1995, and the vocals of Mary Magdalene in a cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1997.

Ampil co-starred with Adam Pascal (Rent, Aida) in a musical concert titled The Real Love produced by Supreme Master Television last year; Ampil plans a mini-reunion with Pascal, who’s currently playing the role of DJ Huey Calhoun in the Broadway musical Memphis, when she finally gets the chance to visit the Big Apple.

For tickets to Resorts World’s now long-running musical The Sound of Music, visit BroadwayWorld Philippines’ show listings section [Click Here].

MAMMA MIA's Catherine Ricafort Stars In PRISON DANCER Web Series

2012-01-03T01:09:00.000-05:00

Filipino-American Broadway actress Catherine
Ricafort plays Cherish in the upcoming 12 episode
web series Prison Dancer.

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

New York, January 2, 2012 – Last year’s New York Musical Festival’s (NYMF) participant Prison Dancer, a musical inspired by the world-renowned dancing prisoners from Cebu, Philippines, featuring music and lyrics by Romeo Candido, and book by Candido and Carmen de Jesus, is now a web series. Prison Dancer, a 12 episode web series premiering this Spring, stars Canadian Idol Season One finalist Mikey Bustos and Mamma Mia! on Broadway’s current Ali, Catherine Ricafort.

Prison Dancer tells the story of six Filipino dancing prisoners – Lola, Oo Oo, Nana, Hookaps, Shakespeare, and Christian (played by Bustos) – whose lives are suddenly changed when their dancing videos uploaded on YouTube became viral hits. Investigative journalist, named Matt, uncovers the “personal, poignant, hilarious, and universal stories of these prisoners.”

Ricafort plays Cherish, love interest to Bustos’ Christian, the prison’s newly-admitted inmate. “We shot in Toronto last month, and it was an incredible experience! It’s a project filled with many firsts me: [it’s my] first time to act on camera; [it’s my] first time to do a project based on a true Filipino story; and [it’s my] first time to speak some lines in Tagalog (the first language in the Philippines) with an accent,” Ricafort told BroadwayWorld.com.

Ana Serrano, a three-time Canadian New Media Award recipient, produces Prison Dancer for its web release. For more information, visit www.prisondancer.com.

NEXT FALL Opens Repertory Philippines' 75th Season, 1/13-2/5

2011-12-29T01:06:00.000-05:00

Bart Guingona and David Bianco star in
Repertory Philippines' upcoming
production of the Broadway play
"Next Fall"; main photo by David Fabros

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Co-written by Precious C. Lee Cundangan

Manila, Philippines, December 17, 2011 – Repertory Philippines (Rep.), the country’s premier English-speaking theater company, is celebrating 45 years in business by opening its 75th season with New York University Tisch School of the Arts alumnus and playwright Geoffrey Nauffts’ Broadway dramedy Next Fall, a moving story of a gay couple whose religious differences add tensions and contradictions to their five-year romantic relationship. Rep.’s staging of Next Fall runs from January 13 to February 5, 2012 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City; evening performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and matinee performances are on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.

Audie Gemora, who recently won a Best Direction citation at the Aliw Awards for his work on the original Filipino musical Noli Me Tangere, directs Next Fall, his second straight play directorial job for Rep. after Equus.

Leading Next Fall’s cast is theater stalwart Bart Guingona, who plays Adam, a cynical atheist whose non-committal, no-nonsense take on religion is challenged when his partner meets an accident; co-starring with Guingona is David Bianco, an actor from Theatreworks USA, who plays Luke, Adam’s boyfriend, an aspiring thespian and a devout born again Christian.

Also in the cast are Liesl Batucan, who plays Holly, Adam and Luke’s common friend, and owner of the candle shop where the couple works; Niccolo Manahan, who plays Brandon, Luke’s gay Christian friend; Juno Henares, who plays Arlene, Luke’s eccentric mom; and Miguel Faustmann, who plays Butch, Luke’s religious father and Arlene’s former husband.

Next Fall premiered as an Off Broadway play, produced by Nauffts’ Naked Angels, at Peter Jay Sharp Theatre in the summer of 2009; the sold-out performances and rave reviews that the production earned that summer prompted a Broadway transfer to Helen Hayes Theatre in March 2010.

“[Next Fall's] the little play that could,” according to New York critic David Cote, garnered several awards and nominations, among them were the 2010 Outer Critics Circle Awards’ John Gassner Award for Nauffts; 2010 Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Outstanding Play, Best Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for Sean Dugan; 2010 Tony Award nominations for Best Play, Best Direction of a Play for Sheryl Kaller; and 2010 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding New Broadway Play.

For tickets to Rep’s production of Next Fall, call (632)571-6926 or 571-4941 or email info@repertory.ph; tickets are also available at TicketWorld, call (632) 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. The play is presented through special arrangement with Creative Artists Agency.

As If Escalating Broadway Ticket Prices For Hot-Selling Shows Aren’t Enough

2011-12-11T13:56:00.001-05:00

Broadway's Spider-man: Turn Off The Dark is currently one of Ticketmaster's best -selling shows; Spidey ticket prices range from $76 to nearly $200 plus the web site's controversial processing fees; image c/o ticketmaster.com

New York, December 11, 2011 – Strong ticket sales are crucial to the life expectancy of musicals on Broadway. David Thompson, John Kander, and Fred Ebb’s Scottsboro Boys, a musical based on the 1931 Scottsboro Boys trial: nine African-American teenage boys accused of rape in Alabama; Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahren’s Ragtime, a musical that follows the intertwined stories of three groups of Americans – the immigrants, the white Anglo-Saxon protestants, and African Americans – set in the turn of the 20th century America; and Floyd Mutrux and Collin Escott’s Baby It’s You!, a musical based on the life story of Florence Greenberg whose claim to fame was discovering the African-American girl group The Shirelles in the 1960s, were some of Broadway’s recent casualties due to poor ticket sales. And while Scottsboro Boys, Ragtime, Baby It’s You! et al. are getting the boot, hit Broadway musicals such as Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Robert Lopez’s The Book of Mormon; Bono and The Edge’s Spider-man: Turn Off The Dark; and Disney Theatrical Productions’ The Lion King have been packing their houses to the hilt and raising their ticket prices as well.

As if these escalating show ticket prices for hot-selling Broadway shows aren’t enough, Ticketmaster.com, a popular ticket sales and distribution web site, has recently been found guilty of profiting from its deceptive processing fees for these Broadway shows and numerous live concerts, among others, for the past 12 years.

Rock singer Reeve Carney
(Spider-man) gets a kiss from
Broadway actress Jennifer Damiano
(Mary Jane Watson) during
Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark's
curtain call; photo c/o pop-break.com

“Tickemaster is giving back, but not because it's the holiday season.

As the result of a class-action lawsuit, the ticket-pushing behemoth is going to be handing out $1.50 per ticket (up to 17) to everyone who used the site between October 21, 1999 and October 19, 2011. Those who chose the UPS shipping option will be getting a little bit more back: an additional $5.00 credit per order.

It seems Ticketmaster's processing fees were deemed deceptive because they did not clearly state that Ticketmaster was profiting from them.” (HuffingtonPost.com, December 12, 2011)

Ironically, Ticketmaster can continue profiting from its processing fees as long as the company discloses these fees as profit on its web site. Life’s unfair, indeed.

Broadway shows’ flashy television advertisements, and Broadway news sites BroadwayWorld.com and Theatermania.com endorse Ticketmaster.com as their official ticket brokers; and Ticketmaster’s tickets prices are certainly steeper compared to other ticket vendors such as the same-day-tickets at the TKTS discount booth in Duffy Square in Times Square. Purchasing a single balcony ticket to Broadway’s Spider-man: Turn of the Dark at the TKTS booth can cost $70.00 plus processing fee; while buying the same balcony ticket from Ticketmaster can cost around six or nine dollars more plus processing fee. Ergo, the fact that Ticketmaster has been offering more expensive tickets compared to other ticket options, profiting further under the guise of processing charges, whether it’s disclosed or not, should be avoided – there’s a rather incredible ethical lapse here.

“Theater [show] prices have gone sky-high--$100 for a musical is now the norm. But this is New York, and there's nothing New Yorkers hate more than paying retail. The truth is, Broadway has become a lot like the airline industry: If you know what you're doing, you can spend a fraction of what the person next to you did.” (Budget Travel, April 2005)

Oliver Oliveros is regional site editor, author, and photographer at BroadwayWorld.com. You may follow him on twitter.com/OliverOliveros.

Michael Jackson's IMMORTAL CD Soundtrack Out Now; Philippine Residents Get a Chance to Win a Trip to Los Angeles to See IMMORTAL

2011-12-07T13:42:00.001-05:00

Cirque Du Soleil presents Michael Jackson's "Immortal" 2-CD
deluxe edition; soundtrack CD cover artwork
c/o Ivory Music & Video

By Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Manila, Philippines, December 7, 2011 – Ivory Music & Video, the exclusive licensee of Sony Music in the Philippines, has a neat Christmas treat for Cirque du Soleil and Michael Jackson fans in the Philippines: the music company has just announced that the highly anticipated deluxe double CD soundtrack for Cirque du Soleil’s tribute to the late Michael Jackson, Immortal World Tour, which opened in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort last weekend, is now available in music stores nationwide. Ivory Music & Video has also launched its Facebook-based photo contest whose winner will win a trip for two to Los Angeles to see Immortal – simply take a photo of you and your friend holding the Immortal CD and email to mj@pongr.com or upload to https://www.facebook.com/michaeljackson?sk=app_145998935425929.

“The wonderful thing about the Immortal show is that Cirque [du Soleil] didn't [doesn't] try to find someone to impersonate Michael [Jackson]; they just try to recreate his essence…you never know what's going to happen next. But Cirque is an icon; so is Michael. So you put the two together like this, people expect to see something fantastic. And it is. It's such a great show. It's very entertaining,” said Tito and Jackson for The Rolling Stone.

Immortal includes over 100 minutes of Jackson’s original recordings reimagined for Cirque du Soleil. Incorporating all of Jackson’s iconic works into a single CD proved impossible hence the release of the double CD edition, which offers listeners the opportunity to enjoy the music from the Immortal show from start to finish as it is experienced during a live performance.

Esteemed musical director Kevin Antunes, and writer and director Jamie King had redesigned and reimagined more than 40 of Jackson’s greatest hits to sync with Immortal’s visual elements on screen and live action on stage. After spending a year in the studio, Antunes had created a new soundscape to Jackson’s musical brilliance while preserving the power and familiarity of the music icon’s unparalleled voice and ingenious recordings.

The debut track from Immortal, titled "Immortal Megamix," is comprised of four of Jackson’s greatest hits -- “Can You Feel It,” “Don't Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Billie Jean,” and “Black Or White.” -- reimagined as never before. A showstopping highlight, the “Immortal Megamix” is set to stream on www.michaeljackson.com and on https://www.facebook.com/michaeljackson.

Immortal Deluxe Double CD Tracklist

Deluxe Disc 1:

1. Workin’ Day And Night (Immortal Version)
2. The Immortal Intro (Immortal Version)
3. Childhood (Immortal Version)
4. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Immortal Version)
5. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) (Immortal Version)
6. Dancing Machine/Blame It On The Boogie (Immortal Version)
7. Ben (Immortal Version)
8. This Place Hotel (Immortal Version)
9. Smooth Criminal (Immortal Version)
10. Dangerous (Immortal Version)
11. The Mime Segment: (I Like) The Way You Love Me/Speed Demon/Another Part Of Me (Immortal Version)
12. The Jackson 5 Medley (Immortal Version)
13. Speechless/Human Nature (Immortal Version
14. Is It Scary/Threatened (Immortal Version)
15. Thriller (Immortal Version)

Deluxe Disc 2:

1. You Are Not Alone/I Just Can't Stop Loving You (Immortal Version)
2. Beat It/State Of Shock (Immortal Version)
3. Jam (Immortal Version)
4. Planet Earth/Earth Song (Immortal Version)
5. Scream/Little Susie (Immortal Version)
6. Gone Too Soon (Immortal Version)
7. They Don't Care About Us (Immortal Version)
8. Will You Be There (Immortal Version)
9. I’ll Be There (Immortal Version)
10. Immortal Megamix: Can You Feel It/Don't Stop ‘Til You Get Enough/Billie Jean/Black Or White (Immortal Version)
11. Man In The Mirror (Immortal Version)
12. Remember The Time/Bad (Immortal Version)

My Photo Keepsakes from the Philippines

2011-12-01T16:19:00.001-05:00

The author and photographer in
Padre Burgos, Quezon,
the Philippines

New York, December 1, 2011 – As I’m about to wrap up my blogging chronicles for my social media class, I think it’d be also interesting to share with my classmates and the world some photo keepsakes from my beloved home, the Philippines; these photos remind me of what I miss most about the Philippines since I moved to the big city last Spring for my Graduate Studies at New York University.

Coincidentally, when PhilippineParadisePages.com, an online concierge directory, announced its Best Philippine Sceneries photo contest some two weeks ago, I got very enthusiastic about joining. I immediately browsed through my entire collection of Philippine travel photos that I posted on Facebook. That very instance had made me realize how much I terribly miss my "mother ship" – its picturesque beauty; its 7,107 islands spread out across the archipelago; its floury white sand beaches; and its exotic marine life.

I’ve been a shoestring traveller and published travel photographer for as long as I can remember. I’ve recently been to Santa Monica beach in California; Lake Michigan in Illinois; Coney Island in New York; and Maya Bay (Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The Beach”) in Krabi, Thailand – sadly, none of them could beat the pristine paradise in the Philippines.

Let’s take a look at some of these places.

Boracay Island

Boat Station One, Boracay Island, Aklan, the Philippines;
photo by Oliver Oliveros

Boracay, which was recently awarded Second Best Beach in the World at Travelers’ Choice 2011 by TripAdvisor.com, is approximately 196 miles from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, cliff diving are the best day time leisure activities on the island. Visitors spend the night dining in seafood restaurants along the beach and buy a round of drinks in countless bars, pubs, and nightclubs.

Boracay’s powdery white sand has the finest texture I’ve ever held in my hands.

Apo Island

This beautiful natural rock formation greets visitors upon arrival
on Apo Island; photo by Oliver Oliveros

Apo Island, a volcanic island and a marine sanctuary, is around 590 miles from Manila, which has become a popular dive site and snorkelling destination among European divers and tourists.

I last visited the island with some members of the Philippine press and Greenpeace Southeast Asia's staff in 2006. We installed solar panels for electricity production at Apo Island Elementary School, which was part of Greenpeace’s campaign for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Borawan Island

Borawan Island showcases limestone rock formations that delight
local rock climbers and rapellers; photo by Oliver Oliveros

Borawan Island, known for its humongous limestone rock formations and dazzling white, sandy shore lines, is located in Padre Burgos, Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon, around 125 miles from Manila. Its intimidating rock formations are best for rock climbing and rappelling – definitely not for the faint of heart.

Tali Beach

A lovely summer sunset awaits visitors at Tali Beach;
photo by Oliver Oliveros

Tali Beach in Nasugbu, Batangas, best known for its quiet, private beach resorts, is nearest to Manila – it’s just around 65 miles. It’s been my quick getaway fix from a demanding professional life back in the city.

The author and photographer engages in helmet
diving in Boracay.

I'm obviously more of a beach person than a mountain person. However, I do love mountains and big cities too. It's just that I find unsoiled waters can refresh my tired travelling soul.

By the way, I've missed the first submission deadline of PhilippineParadisePages.com’s photo tilt. I may or may not submit these photos; if ever I do submit, but then lose, I won’t cry buckets. For me, these photos are the winningest of them all because they bring back memories of some of the great times I had back home.

Oh, I’m so longing for your charming and wonderful natural beauty, my Philippines. Till we meet again…

Photo Flash: Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID Opens in Manila

2011-11-24T23:21:00.001-05:00

Pop singers Rachelle Ann Go (Ariel) and Erik Santos (Prince Eric) make their
professional musical theater debuts in Atlantis Productions' Disney's
The Little Mermaid; photo by Jaime Unson

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

New York, November 24, 2011 -- Manila-based theater company Atlantis Productions Inc.'s Asian premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid could have been a spectacular float addition in today’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Times Square.

One shouldn't wonder at Atlantis’ Disneyesque feat because The Little Mermaid’s co-director, Bobby Garcia (the other director is Chari Arespacochaga), happened to work at Disneyland Hong Kong as its entertainment director when the theme park opened in 2005. Needless to say, working on Disney theatrical materials is second nature to Garcia by now.

Rachelle Ann Go as the little mermaid, Ariel, has been
earning raves and praises from critics and audience
alike; photo by Jaime Unson

The original Broadway production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, based on the 1989 2D animated film, which boasts the popular songs “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Kiss the Girl,” created by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, opened at Lunt-Fontane Theatre in 2008 and ran nearly 700 regular performances. Additional 10 songs, co-written by Menken and Glenn Slater, and a book by Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright have been incorporated into the stage adaptation, which garnered generally mixed reviews from critics.

Broadway’s The Little Mermaid had starred the talented, incandescent Sierra Boggess in the title role (Ariel); while Manila’s production has found a new ingénue in strong pop singer Rachelle Ann Go. Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga, who’s also a columnist in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, only had praises and raves for Go’s opening night (November 18) performance, “As for Go, I don’t know that the superlatives in my vocabulary could cover just how wonderful I thought she was. Bundles of charm oozed from her, as well as an easy sense of humor and adventure. Her voice was also a great mix of that clean and pristine Disney sound, plus a deep pop sensibility that made this score (and her Ariel) accessible to everyone. She was a perfect Ariel, and her portrayal will only continue to deepen and improve. She blew me away on opening night.”

Power belter Jinky Llamanzares as the sea witch, Ursula,
brings the house down in every performance;
photo by Jaime Unson

Other standouts are powerful female vocalist Jinky Llamanzares as the evil sea witch, Ursula and 2011 BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards' nominee OJ Mariano as the red Jamaican crab, Sebastian; as well as Eric Pineda’s around 150 gorgeous and intricate costumes whose unique Asian touches had to be approved by Disney Theatrical Group, no less. Go’s Ariel wears a pair of giant seashell sleeves that resembles the typical Filipiniana terno’s large, puffed sleeves. On the other hand, Calvin Millado’s King Triton, the Sea King and Ariel’s father, dons a traditional Balinese royal costume.

On the other hand, what the production lacks in expensive set pieces and flying harnesses, which are common currency in Broadway musicals nowadays, it makes up for with puppeteer-actors, who control wayang or shadow puppets, bunraku or traditional Japanese puppets, and nang kaloung or Cambodian puppets during certain parts of the show. By the way, merfolks are not strapped on rollerblades in this production!

Go, Llamanzares, Mariano, and Millado are joined by Erik Santos as Prince Eric (his professional musical theater debut), Lee Villoria as Flounder, Enrique Canoy as Scuttle, Felix Rivera as Flotsam, Jamie Barcelon as Jetsam, Raymond Concepcion as Grimsby, and Juliene Mendoza as Chef Louis.

The Little Mermaid also features choreography by Cecile Martinez, set design by Lex Marcos, lighting design by Jay Aranda, puppetry design and execution by Liz and Benny Batoctoy and Sam Fuentes, projection design by GA Fallarme, musical direction by Ceejay Javier, vocal coaching by Manman Angsico, and production management by Liza Camus.

Catch the show’s last three weeks (it runs until December 11) at Meralco Theater. For tickets, visit www.atlantisproductionsinc.com.

For more photos, click HERE.

Lara Fabregas Makes a Theater Comeback Via HEDDA GABLER, 11/25-26

2011-11-22T23:56:00.001-05:00

Hong Kong-based actress Lara Fabregas makes a
much-awaited theater comeback via Henrik Ibsen's
Hedda Gabler; photo by Juan Caguicla

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

New York, November 23, 2011 – I just have to write about Lara Fabregas; she’s my kind of a leading lady of the theater: enigmatic, elusive, complex, sultry, and divine. If she were to star as Hedda Gabler, the original, quintessential “desperate housewife” in Henrik Ibsen’s 1890 play, in the big city, which versatile and accomplished actresses Cate Blanchett and Mary-Louise Parker did in 2006 and 2009, respectively, I’d be the first to fall in line for show tickets. Alas, Ms. Fabregas’ much-awaited stage comeback after almost seven years is happening back home in Manila. At times like these, I wish I were a bridge that could stretch across the Pacific.

Actor’s Actors Inc. (AAI), the Philippine theater company that gave me my first crack at handling theater publicity back in 2003, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, and the Vito Cruz Project, bring to the stage Norwegian playwright Ibsen’s four-act play Hedda Gabler, a psychological, dramatic portrait of the title character: Gabler, a daughter of an aristocratic general and a wife to a scholar, Jorgen Tesman, is getting increasingly bored and frustrated in her marriage; consequently, she will find herself meddling in the lives of others that could lead to dire consequences.

Directed by theater stalwart and political activist Bart Guingona, this campus-based production of Hedda Gabler, features a formidable cast that includes Kalila Aguilos, Linda Lupton, Angela Mapa, Paolo O’Hara, Leo Rialp, and Reuben Uy.

The last time I worked with Ms. Fabregas and Mr. Guingona was for AAI’s production of David Mamet’s cerebral psychological drama Oleanna in 2004; Ms. Fabregas was luminous as Carol, a young university student who accuses her professor of sexual exploitation. Three years ago, I had the chance to watch Hollywood film actress Julia Stiles playing the same role at Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Although, Ms. Fabregas and Ms. Stiles had tackled the role very differently, their performances were both riveting and memorable.

Again, I regret missing Ms. Fabregas’ turn as the neurotic Hedda. Theaterphiles in Manila mustn’t miss out this one.

Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler will have matinee performances on Friday, November 25 at 1 p.m. and on Saturday, November 26 at 3 p.m. at School of Design and Arts Theater, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 980 Pablo Ocampo St., Malate, Manila. For tickets, call (63)915-9411055 or (63)917-5859294.

Oliver Oliveros is regional site editor, author, and photographer at BroadwayWorld.com. You may follow him on twitter.com/OliverOliveros.

Make Your Vote Count for the 2011 BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards

2011-11-16T12:24:00.056-05:00

Collage work by Ching Nicolas of Overtures and Finales

By Oliver Oliveros for BroadwayWorld.com

New York, November 16, 2011 -- The first-ever BroadwayWorld (BWW) Philippines Awards, an audience initiative project that encourages BWW readers from the Philippines to nominate and vote for their favorite plays, musicals, and theater personalities of the past year, revealed its list of nominees two weeks ago to an overwhelming response. Related web pages on my blog and BWW have around 2,000 hits, 100 comments, 2,000 likes, and 100 shares to date.

Although, user comments have been mixed, for example:

• “Sound of Music (SOM) for Best Sound? They must be kidding” (SOM’s current performance venue, the Newport Performing Arts Theater, had some acoustic problems lately);

• “It’s about time we had something like this;" and

• “This is a better venue for recognizing and levelling off the field for other theater companies especially those that aren't really mainstream… BWW Phils. Awards are a refreshing take from the usual award-giving bodies. This is a great beginning to empowering the theater industry. Kudos to BWW Phils.”

I'd rather look at these diverse and opposing views as healthy conversations between BWW and its steadily growing fan base of readers more than anything -- every point raised is important.

Nonetheless, BWW Philippines has been thankful for the warm response from nominees like OJ Mariano, Vince Tañada, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Jaime del Mundo, Christopher De Venecia, Gian Magdangal, Jerald Napoles, Joey Mendoza, Jett Pangan, Caisa Borromeo, Ciara Sotto, Bea Garcia, Skyzx Labastilla, Markki Stroem, Shamaine Buencamino, Dexter Santos, Pipo Cifra, and Jon Jon Martin, among others; and for some Philippine media outlets that have picked up the story like MyxPh.Com and Pep.Ph.

The BWW Awards were first launched in the United States and United Kingdom three years ago. But since there has been a large number of readers that's based in the Philippines, BWW Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Robert Diamond, and I had decided to extend the BWW Awards to the Philippines. Last month, Filipino readers sent in their nomination entries in 20 categories (Best Musical, Best Leading Actor [Musical], Best Sound et al.), which totalled around 500. From these nomination entries, we’ve shortlisted 85; and these nominees were very diversified productions: they ranged from commercial theater productions, non-commercial theater productions, and semi-professional, campus-based theater productions whose book or script was either in English or Filipino.

The BWW Philippines Awards are now open for voting and will close on December 31, 2011. To help BWW readers decide, I’ll do a weekly roundup of nominees starting with the nominees for Best Musical:

2011 BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards’ nominees for Best Musical

In the Heights (Atlantis Productions Inc.)

Atlantis Productions presents the Asian premiere of the Broadway musical
In the Heights; photo c/o Atlantis Productions

Directed by Atlantis Productions’ Bobby Garcia (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Next to Normal), In the Heights, penned by Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, presents a portrait of the Hispanic community in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Its original Broadway production, which features high-energy musical numbers with hip hop, salsa, soul, and merengue (music and dance from the Dominican Republic) influences, won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2008. The production returns to Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in March 2012.

Sweet Charity (9 Works Theatrical)

Meet the exuberant cast of 9 Works Theatrical's production of the Broadway musical
Sweet Charity; photo by Jory Rivera

Directed by 9 Works Theatrical’s Robbie Guevara (Rent, The Wedding Singer), Sweet Charity, which had starred television host and singer Nikki Gil (Seussical, Legally Blonde) in her third stage outing, highlights Tony Award-winning composer Cy Coleman’s catchy-but-naughty tunes (and sometimes with dark tones in the same vein as John Kander's musical Chicago) and dance numbers based on Bob Fosse’s original choreography.

Sound of Music (Resorts World Manila)

London-based actress Joanna Ampil and stage actor and director Audie Gemora
topbill Resorts World Manila's production of the beloved musical Sound of Music;
photo by Dale Bacar

Currently playing at Newport Performing Arts Theater, The Philippine revival of Sound of Music, which stars London-based actress Joanna Ampil and young thespian Cris Villonco as Maria Von Trapp, is one of the beloved classics by Broadway composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein. For the Manila production, the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra provides live orchestral music, conducted by Maestro Rodel Colmenar with back-up vocals by Lyn Fabella; and independent filmmaker Paul Soriano produces larger than life visual effects and digital videos. The production runs until December 11.

Peter Pan (Repertory Philippines/Stages Production Specialists Inc.)

Repertory Philippines and Stages Production Specialists Inc. bring
to life Anthony Drewe and George Stiles' musical incarnation of Peter Pan;
photo by Dale Bacar

Directed by Jaime del Mundo (Shakespeare in Hollywood, N.O.A.H.) and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Little Women), Peter Pan, which had cast television actor and singer Sam Concepcion in the title role, is Broadway book writer and lyricist Anthony Drewe and composer George Stiles' musical incarnation of J.M. Barrie’s children’s classic. Their version of Peter Pan, which first opened in Denmark in 1996, won several awards including The Orchestra Award and Best Song for "When I Kill Peter Pan" at the International Musical of the Year, also in Denmark.

Noli Me Tangere (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Maestro Ryan Cayabyab updates his score for this revival of
Filipino musical Noli Me Tangere; photo c/o Tanghalang Pilipino

Directed by one of Philippine theater’s thought leaders, Audie Gemora (Equus, Disney's High School Musical) , Noli Me Tangere, which had starred pop recording artists Gian Magdangal and Mark Bautista as the revolutionary pragmatist Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, is multi-award winning composer Ryan Cayabyab’s musical adaptation of the Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal’s controversial novel published in 1887.

Care Divas (Philippine Educational Theater Association)

Care Divas is Philippine Educational Theater Association's (PETA) new
smash musical! ; photo c/o PETA

Directed by Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) Maribel Legarda (William), Care Divas, which features music by prolific musical theater composer Vincent de Jesus, tells the life stories (based on book writer Liza Magtoto's personal interviews) of five Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs): Chelsea, Shai, Kayla, Thalia and Jonee who work as caregivers of elderly Jews in the morning and perform as drag queens at night in Tel Aviv, Israel. The production returns to PETA Theater Center on December 1, 2, 4, 8 and 9.

Cory ng EDSA (Philippine Stagers Foundation)

The Aliw Award-winning team behind the musical Ako si Ninoy returns with
another critically-acclaimed production in Cory ng EDSA; photo by Dale Bacar

Recently awarded Best Musical at the 2011 Aliw Awards, Cory ng EDSA, is an original Filipino musical, created by Vince Tañada (Ako si Ninoy), which is based on the life and times of the nation's icon of democracy, the late President Corazon Aquino. The production is currently on a national tour.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Oliver Oliveros is regional site editor, author, and photographer at BroadwayWorld.com. You may follow him on twitter.com/OliverOliveros.

Dulaang Kalay’s New Play Tackles Filipinos’ Penchant for Soap Operas

2011-11-14T02:26:00.003-05:00

Dulaang Kalay is Philippine theater scene's new
kid on the block; graphic artwork c/o Dulaang Kalay

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Manila, Philippines, November 14, 2011 -- Dulaang UP's Rizal X's head writer Katte Sabate, and composer and lyricist William Elvin Manzano have just formed a new theater group called Dulaang Kalay whose inaugural offering is an original play titled Series Finale: Saan Hahantong ang Tagpong Ito?, a satirical look at Filipinos' incurable obsession toward soap operas.

According to Fr. Roland Dela Rosa, a columnist in the Manila Bulletin, "...less than 5% of the adult Filipino population in urban areas read books. Around 23% prefer...radio and newspapers. But, a whopping 72% depend on television [including soap operas] and the Internet for their daily dose of information." (J. Walter Thompson's survey, 2011) Dulaang Kalay's new play, Series Finale, would probe deeper into this phenomenon by dissecting the anatomy of a soap opera's final episode -- most of the time, formulaic and derivative -- and its implications and relationship to national scandals and sensational news reporting.

Except for actors Acey Aguilar (Orosman at Zafira) and Elora Españo (Rizal X, Orosman at Zafira), the play will feature several new faces: Janine Santos, Erika Estacio, Jules Dela Paz, Toji Salinas, Roxy Aldiosa, Dreps Tatad, Earle Figuracion, Harry David, JR Macanas, Zandrei Merced, Japo Parcero, Victoria Mañebo, Leah Galisa, Nikka Angeles, Keann Clemente, Gell-O Conferido, Lexy Lu, Claricel Estrella, Jake Tanchuling, and Tim Villareal.

Jean Tanchuco and Nissi Gatan are production designers; Niqi Granados is costume designer; Meliton Roxas is lighting designer; Dino Dimar is photographer and graphic designer; Gabe Ongkiko and Timothy Ng are video producers; Delphine Buencamino is choreographer; and Manzano is director.

Dulaang Kalay's Series Finale will run from December 5 to 18 at Vision 21, Crossroads 77, No. 77 Mother Ignacia Street, Quezon City.

BWW Phils. Interview: JM De Guzman Talks About Dulaang UP, ‘Angelito,’ and More

2011-11-11T03:21:00.021-05:00

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Television star, songwriter, and recording artist
JM De Guzman will always be a proud homegrown
talent of Dulaang UP; photo c/o Ivory Records

"I'll always find the time to go back to my theater roots; everything I know now, I learned it from my professors and directors." - JM De Guzman

New York, November 11, 2011 -- Whether here in the United States or in the Philippines, it's always been a cause for celebration among theater circles when a Filipino stage actor makes it to mainstream entertainment -- think of Glee's Darren Criss, Hannah Montana's Ana Maria Perez de Tagle, and Kitchen Musical's Karylle Tatlonghari and Christian Bautista; add to that growing roster JM De Guzman, ABS-CBN's newest afternoon soap leading man; an Ivory Records' songwriter and recording artist; and Dulaang UP's proud homegrown talent.

Although De Guzman started acting on television via ABS CBN's kiddie show Ang TV, his screen name "Butik," at age four, he considers himself as one of the biz's prodigal sons. With his consistent, personal conviction on improving his talent in acting, he had opted to take the longer route to mainstream stardom: At age 17 (he's now in his early 20s), he chose to pursue performance studies at the University of the Philippines (UP) instead, and took apprenticeship duties under Dulaang UP, the state university's semi-professional theater arm.

"I realized na I wasn't growing as an actor. I needed to study because it's my craft that I really love," said De Guzman in an exchange of emails with BroadwayWorld.

Just like everybody else enrolled in a theater program, De Guzman had to learn the littlest details in a theater production such as set and prop designs along with the basic tenets of theater acting prior to landing a lead role in a play or a musical. Dulaang UP's regular patrons last saw him as Basilio in the musical Isang Panaginip na Fili, directed by Floy Quintos, and as Zelim in the heavy dance musical Orosman at Zafira, directed by Dexter Santos.

"JM has always been a sweet kid since his college days. He started out as a happy-go-lucky student during his freshman year. But, when he learned that a pretty face would never be enough to become a true artist, he has changed to become [a] more focused and disciplined [student]. He knew that he has to give it all every time an opportunity arises," said stage director Dexter Santos in a separate interview.

JM De Guzman plays Zelim in Dulaang UP's critically-acclaimed
original production of Orosman at Zafira; photo by Jojit Lorenzo

"Sa teatro, nadisiplina ako professionally and personally. I remember buong araw akong nasa stage at nag-aayos ng set. Minsan, nasisigawan, namumura at napapahiya din...I'll always find the time to go back to my theater roots; everything I know now, I learned it from my professors and directors: Si Direk Dexter Santos, tinutukan ako; si Professor Tony Mabesa, nainspire ako; at si Direk Alex Cortez, nadisiplina ako," De Guzman said.

A man of his word, he has since stayed true to his commitment to Dulaang UP: Amidst his gruelling filming schedule for his last successful soap Mula Sa Puso, where he played the role of taxi driver-turned-haciendero, Gabriel Maglayon, and his recording and promotion schedule for his self-titled debut album, produced by Ivory Records, he still had found the time to compose "Curtain Call," which apparently made the cut as one of the musical numbers in Dulaang UP's recent Aliw Award-winning original Filipino musical Rizal X, a millennial multimedia presentation about the works and life of Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero.

"May boses at songwriting talent talaga si JM," said Jon Daza, Ivory Records' A&R manager. "I personally believe kasi na eventually magiging big star s'ya, at para magkaroon ng maliit na bahagi kami sa Ivory Records sa success n'ya, proud kami du'n. So far, we've a very healthy working relationship with him."

JM De Guzman's self-titled album is now available
on i Tunes; graphic artwork c/o Ivory Records

De Guzman recalled, "Naka-smile ako habang sinusulat ko ang thank you note sa album ko. Nagflashback sa akin ang mga taong talagang tumulong nu'ng nagsisimula pa lang ako. My original single 'Carried Away' ay 'yung kanta na masasabi kong pinakamaganda kong nabuo."

De Guzman's debut album contains the track "Carried Away," a bittersweet love song, as well as remakes of other OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and pop hits such as "Pagdating Ng Panahon," "Out Of My League," "Bizarre Love Triangle," "Collide," "Kiss Me," "True," "Yakap Sa Dilim," "Give You The World," "Sa May Bintana," and "Nothing Compares 2 U." As of this writing, Ivory Records has informed BroadwayWorld that the record company is all set to release a repackaged edition of De Guzman's album; it will include the singer/actor's cover version of The Script's strong ballad "The Man Who Can't Be Moved," arranged and produced by DJ Myke Salomon.

Furthermore, starting Monday, De Guzman's steadily growing fan base in the Philippines and among TFC (The Filipino Channel) subscribers here in New York and elsewhere will be glued to the television anew for the premiere episodes of ABS CBN's newest afternoon soap Angelito: Batang Ama, where he plays the title role who faces the responsibilities and challenges of parenthood as a teenager.

"Pinaghahandaan ko to take on big projects like 'Angelito.' I stopped show biz when I was young to study theater arts at UP where I learned more about the craft that I love. Masasabi ko na ready na ako, and I'm equipped to tackle lead roles," De Guzman said.

"Tiwala sa Diyos at sa sarili. Ito lang ang pinanghahawakan ko."

To JM: BroadwayWorld Philippines and the Philippine theater community are so proud of you.

Follow JM De Guzman on Twitter: @hukbong_JM and @JM_DeGuzman; and download his debut album on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jm-de-guzman-ep/id463958085.

Breaking News: Lea Salonga to Star in GOD OF CARNAGE Manila; Auditions Announced for ROCK OF AGES, NINE, SHREK

2011-11-10T15:11:00.007-05:00

Tony winner Lea Salonga will star in the
Philippine premiere of Yasmina Reza's
black comedy God of Carnage in July 2012;
graphic artwork c/o Atlantis Productions

By Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

Manila, Philippines, November 10, 2011 -- It's rather unusual to see Lea Salonga, a Tony Award-winning actress whose name has been synonymous with all things musical, flexing her acting muscles in a straight play; she did that once in the Manila run of David Auburn's Proof back in 2001, and she's set to do that again via the impending Manila premiere of Yasmina Reza's God of Carnage in July next year.

Atlantis Productions (Dogeaters, Next to Normal) has just announced that Salonga will star in the black comedy God of Carnage, the company's first straight play offering after four years, and its only straight play production for its 2012 season, which boasts of three big Broadway musicals -- Rock of Ages, Nine, and Shrek.

According to Bobby Garcia, Atlantis Productions' resident director, Salonga has been tapped to portray the role of Veronica, a writer and wife to a wholesaler Michael, whose son, Henry, was hit with a stick in a public playground in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

The 2009 Tony Award-winning play God of Carnage, whose original text was in French, is a 90-minute debacle of two couples -- Veronica and Michael; Anette, a self-proclaimed wealth manager and Alan, a corporate lawyer -- who meet and discuss about their kids' recent playground squabble.

Roman Polanski, a film auteur, has recently released his film adaptation of the play, which has been retitled to Carnage and has starred Jodie Foster (Penelope; Veronica in the play), Kate Winslet (Nancy; Anette in the play), Christopher Waltz (Alan), and John C. Reilly (Michael).

On the other hand, Atlantis Productions has also announced its auditions for adult actors and singers for its upcoming productions of Rock of Ages, Nine, and Shrek on Wednesday, November 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Spotlight Artists Center, Jupiter Street, Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City. Auditionees should sing a rock song and a musical theater song with either a piano score or an accompaniment CD. For more information, call Atlantis Productions at (632) 892-7078 or 840-1187.

Editor's note: We'll update this news item with a statement from Salonga as soon as possible.

BWW Phils. Awards’ Nominees Lauchengco, Glorioso, Tañada et. al. Win Big at Aliw Awards

2011-11-09T02:59:00.006-05:00

Menchu Lauchengo-Yulo won the Best Actress
trophy at the recent 24th Aliw Awards for her
critically-acclaimed portrayal of Diana Goodman,
a mother who's suffering from manic depression,
in the rock musical Next to Normal; she's also one
of the Best Leading Actress (Musical) nominees
at the 2011 Broadwayworld Philippines Awards.
(Graphic artwork c/o Atlantis Productions Inc.)

By Oliver Oliveros for BroadwayWorld.com

Manila, Philippines, November 9, 2011 -- BroadwayWorld (BWW) Philippines Awards' nominees Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Best Leading Actress [Musical] for Next to Normal); Jay Glorioso (Best Leading Actress [Play] for Love, Loss, and What I Wore); Vince Tañada (Best Direction of a Musical and Best Leading Actor [Musical] for Cory ng EDSA); Frances Makil Ignacio (Best Actress in a Featured Role [Play] for The Joy Luck Club); and Cory ng EDSA (Best Musical) were big winners at the 24th Aliw Awards, an award-giving body that recognizes excellence among Filipino practitioners in the fields of theater, opera, dance, live vocal performance, and instrumental performance.

At the Aliw Awards, Lauchengco, Glorioso, Tañada and Ignacio clinched the top acting prizes for their performances in Next to Normal (Atlantis Productions), In the Heights/A Little Night Music (Atlantis Productions), Cory ng EDSA (Philippine Stagers Foundation), and The Joy Luck Club (Repertory Philippines) respectively, which were announced during a dinner show held at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila last night.

Below were some of the winners:

Best Non-Musical Production: Rajah Indarapata (MSU); Best Musical Production: Cory ng EDSA (Philippine Stagers Foundation); Best Stage Director (Non-Musical): Tony Mabesa for Fake (UP Playwrights' Theater); Best Stage Director (Musical): Audie Gemora for Noli Me Tangere (Tanghalang Pilipino); Best Actor (Non-Musical): Joel Lamangan for Fake (UP Playwrights' Theater); Best Actor (Musical): Vince Tañada for Cory ng EDSA (Philippine Stagers Foundation); Best Actress (Non-Musical): Frances Makil Ignacio for The Joy Luck Club (Repertory Philippines); Best Actress (Musical): Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo for Next to Normal (Atlantis Productions); Best Actor in a Featured Role (Musical): Joel Trinidad for Kaos (Resorts World Manila); Best Actress in a Featured Role (Musical): Jay Glorioso for In the Heights and A Little Night Music (Atlantis Productions); Best New Group: Opera Belles (Philippine Opera Company); and Lifetime Achievement Award (Theater): Tony Mabesa.

Photo Flash: Salonga, Jacobs, Llana et al. in SUITES BY SONDHEIM - BroadwayWorld.com

2011-11-08T18:01:00.004-05:00

Lea Salonga in Suites by Sondheim, a tribute concert
to Broadway musical composer Stephen Sondheim, at
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center; photo by Dom J Manalo

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

New York, November 8, 2011 -- Lea Salonga, Adam Jacobs, Ali Ewoldt, Jose Llana, and Angel Desai led a company of mostly Filipino-American Broadway actors in Suites by Sondheim, a tribute concert to American musical theater icon Stephen Sondheim, at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center last night. The Book of Mormon's co-book writer, co-composer, and co-lyricist Robert Lopez, who's part-Filipino, was also honoured with an Award of Excellence at the concert.

"It's certainly historic, if nothing else. Not this many Filipino performers in one place will get [got] to perform this material that's just classic and intelligent," Salonga told BroadwayWorld.com in a previous interview.

Directed by Victor Lirio and music directed by Tom Myron, Suites by Sondheim has included Sondheim-penned solos, suites, and medleys such as "Company," "Another Hundred People," "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," and "Multitude of Amy's/Being Alive" from Company; "One Hand, One Heart," "A Boy Like That," and "Somewhere" from West Side Story; "What More Do I Need," "Class," and "So Many People" from Saturday Night; "Green Finch and Linnet Bird," "Johanna," and "Pretty Women," from Sweeney Todd; "Night Waltz," "The Miller's Son," "Everyday a Little Death," "A Weekend in a Country," and "Send In the Clowns" from A Little Night Music; "Not a Day Goes By" and "Our Time" from Merrily We Roll Along; and "Finishing the Hat," "Move On," and "Sunday" from Sunday in the Park with George.

The Philippine Development Foundation USA (PhilDev), a non-profit organization that supports community and entrepreneurship programs in the Philippines, was the concert's sole beneficiary.

For more photos, click HERE.

BWW Phils. Interview: Lea Salonga Talks About ‘Suites by Sondheim’

2011-11-06T18:21:00.026-05:00

Lea Salonga sits down with BroadwayWorld.com
and talks about Suites by Sondheim, her concert at
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center; photo by
Oliver Oliveros

By Oliver Oliveros for BroadwayWorld.com

"You better be smart singing Sondheim." - Lea Salonga

New York, November 6, 2011 -- It's always been a pleasure to interview Filipino Pride and Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables) in person, especially when the rare opportunity to meet and sit down with her in a rehearsal studio or at a theater in New York comes along. During our past interviews, she had always imbibed a unique blend of a Manileño-meets-New Yorker attitude: one that's warm and friendly, and doesn't mind braving a subway ride just to hop her way from one interview to another.

Although it's been more exciting to personally conduct a tape recorded interview with Salonga, there had been instances that I needed to engage in online interviews with her especially on reporting breaking news. I remember I had to break the news on her special participation in Concertus Inc. and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions' first international touring production of Cats in Manila two years ago, and her very recent judging stint at the 2011 Ms. Universe Pageant in São Paulo, Brazil. During those two instances, we're at two opposite ends of the world; so we had to exchange messages on Facebook and email (Thank, God for Facebook and email!), and wait for the green light to spill the beans.

But then again, nothing beats the real thing: meeting your interview subject in the flesh.

BroadwayWorld.com's (BWW) Richard Ridge and I, on two different occasions, have recently caught up with Salonga to talk about her newest project in the city: Suites by Sondheim, a tribute concert to Stephen Sondheim, an American musical theater legend who had penned musicals such as Sweeney Todd and West Side Story. The show will feature Filipino-American Broadway actors, and singers in a one-night-only performance at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center tomorrow, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.

BroadwayWorld.com: Speaking of Sondheim, how difficult is it to sing his songs? [Sondheim's infamously known for his uncanny ability to create beautiful yet tricky melodies and inhumanely wordy lyrics.]

Lea Salonga: "The thing about Sondheim is that it does get very cerebral. You do need a faculty with words and a love for the lyrics to not just pull it off, but to have an appreciation for it. I, as a younger person, [her first Sondheim show was playing the Witch in Into the Woods in Singapore in 1994] and Sondheim versus being a little older and having lived a little bit of life and then looking at Sondheim again, I think one requires a certain amount of living in order to appreciate Sondheim, and I think there's a lot of life in a lot of what he writes."

She added, "You can do the music, you can sing the lyrics, but it's not as full as after having just lived a little bit. Victor Lirio [the concert's co-producer and director] is making me sing 'Not a Day Goes By' [a stirring solo number from Sondheim's musical "Merrily We Roll Along"] and if I had looked at that at the age of 22, I would've been a little like, "What is that about?" whereas being 40. So the reaction's much more visceral, much more immediate, and there isn't as much thinking involved."

"You better be smart singing Sondheim."

BroadwayWorld.com: So, how's your concert going to be any different from past, numerous tribute concerts to Sondheim?

Lea Salonga: "The cool part about this concert is that, I think almost every conceivable Filipino-American or Filipino that has performed on Broadway in recent history is going to be a part of this. It's certainly historic, if nothing else. Not this many Filipino performers in one place will get to perform this material that is just classic and intelligent; and interestingly, it falls on the anniversary of my solo show at Carnegie Hall with Diversity Theater six years ago."

Joining Salonga at the concert are equally accomplished Filipino-American theater performers that will include Adam Jacobs (Les Miserables, Lion King), Jose Llana (Wonderland, Flower Drum Song), Paolo Montalban (Pacific Overtures, Cinderella) Joan Almedilla (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables), Alan Ariano (Miss Saigon, The Encounter), Emy Baysic (Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia), Angel Desai (Company), Rona Figueroa (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables), Lydia Gaston (The King and I, Miss Saigon), Deedee Magno Hall (Wicked, Miss Saigon), Orville Mendoza (Pacific Overtures, Miss Saigon), Emily Morales (South Pacific); Jennifer Paz (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables), and Diane Phelan (South Pacific, West Side Story), among others. Broadway composer Robert Lopez, who's Filipino American, will be honored with the Award of Excellence for his Tony Award-winning compositions for hit Broadway musicals Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon.

The Philippine Development Foundation USA (PhilDev), a non-profit organization that supports community and entrepreneurship programs in the Philippines, will be the concert's sole beneficiary.

As of this writing, I was told that the Alice Tully Hall Box Office has released additional 50 tickets at $150. The show's nearly sold out. So, if you're in New York and you're a Salonga or a Sondheim fan, make sure you'll get in.

BroadwayWorld.com will catch up again with Salonga at the concert tomorrow night; expect for more related news and features.

Oliver Oliveros is regional site editor, author, and photographer at BroadwayWorld.com. You may follow him on twitter.com/OliverOliveros.

Photo Flash: Leviathan Lab's TWELFTH NIGHT, 11/4-11/19 - BroadwayWorld.com

2011-11-04T18:05:00.006-04:00

Roger Yeh plays Fabian and Tina Chilip,
Viola, in Leviathan Lab's production of William
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at Arclight Theater;
photo by Oliver Oliveros

by Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

New York, November 4, 2011 -- Leviathan Lab, a newly-established professional creative studio that's helping Asian American artists in advancing their careers in theater and film, recently met with some members of the press and presented excerpts from its inaugural production of William Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night, which opens tonight and will run until Saturday, November 19 at Arclight Theatre (152 West 71st Street).

Under the direction of Nelson Eusebio III (assistant director, All's Well That Ends Well, The Public Theater/NYSF's Shakespeare in the Park 2011), Leviathan Lab's Twelfth Night transports the seaside city of Illyria to Hong Kong in the 1960s, where the alluring scent of romance pervades the atmosphere. Viola, the play's young protagonist, sets a series of events that create a tangled knot of mistaken identities, bewildering desires, and practical jokes that only time and fortune can untie.

Tina Chilip (Flipzoids, Joy Luck Club) as Viola and OBIE Award-winning actor Jojo Gonzalez (The Romance of Magno Rubio) as Feste the clown lead an All Asian American cast in this yet another reimagining of Shakespeare's play.

"We (Asian American actors) don't get a lot of opportunities to do Shakespeare plays. I haven't done it since grad. school, and I had a lot of Shakespeare trainings in school. But since I graduated, the opportunities are not there. We're very grateful to Leviathan Lab for giving us the opportunity to exercise these muscles -- It's an actor's medium; we love doing this," Chilip told BroadwayWorld.com.

Along with Chilip and Gonzalez, the production features Kurt Uy as Orsino, Eileen Rivera as Olivia, Andrew Eisenman as Malvolio, John Roque as Sir Toby Belch, Marcus Ho as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Karen Tsen Lee and Ka-Ling Cheung as Maria (alternating weeks), Chris Doi as Sebastian, Roger Yeh as Fabian, and Eugene Oh as Antonio.

For tickets, visit www.leviathanlab.com. Ticket prices: $18 general admission, $15 students and seniors, with special prices for groups of 10 or more.

For more photos, click HERE.

2011 BWW Philippines Awards Reveal Nominees

2011-11-03T15:54:00.010-04:00

By Oliver Oliveros, BroadwayWorld.com

New York, November 3, 2011 -- Our theater scene in the Philippines, especially in Metro Manila, has never been as vibrant as in recent months, and we owe our hardworking, excellent theater practitioners the recognition and appreciation they deserve.

Congratulations to BroadwayWorld.com (BWW) Philippines Awards' nominees, whose names are below, and were shortlisted from around 500 nomination entries sent from October 6 to 31.

You may now vote for your favourite nominees; voting deadline is December 31.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

2011 BWW Philippines Awards Nominees

Best Musical

In the Heights (Atlantis Productions Inc.)

Sweet Charity (9 Works Theatrical)

Sound of Music (Resorts World Manila)

Peter Pan (Repertory Philippines/Stages Production Specialists Inc.)

Noli Me Tangere (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Care Divas (Philippine Educational Theater Association)

Cory ng Edsa (Philippine Stagers Foundation)

Best Play

American Hwangap (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Ang Post Office (Philippine Educational Theater Association)

Best Direction of a Musical

Bobby Garcia (Next to Normal)

Jaime del Mundo and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Peter Pan)

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Little Women)

Robbie Guevara (Sweet Charity)

Chari Arespacochaga (Aida)

Christopher De Venecia (Little Shop of Horrors)

Dexter Santos (Orosman at Zafira)

Vince Tanada (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Direction of a Play

Gary Labad (Ang Post Office)

Best Leading Actor (Musical)

Jett Pangan (Next to Normal)

Felix Rivera (Next to Normal)

Sam Concepcion (Peter Pan)

Gian Magdangal (The Wedding Singer)

Kris Lawrence (Sweet Charity)

Mark Bautista (Noli Me Tangere)

Melvin Lee (Care Divas)

Ricci Chan (Care Divas)

Jerald Napoles (Care Divas)

Vince Tanada (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Leading Actor (Play)

Martin delos Santos (Ang Post Office)

Best Leading Actress (Musical)

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Next to Normal)

Ciara Sotto (Rent)

Mian Dimacali (Rent)

Caisa Borromeo (Little Women)

Nikki Gil (Sweet Charity)

Tippy dos Santos (Peter Pan)

Cris Villonco (Noli Me Tangere)

Best Leading Actress (Play)

Jay Glorioso (Love, Loss, and What I Wore)

Liza Infante (The 39 Steps)

Shamaine Centenera Buencamino (Fake)

Best Musical Direction

Gerard Salonga (Little Women)

Joseph Tolentino (Sweet Charity)

Pipo Cifra (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Choreography

Cecille Martinez (In the Heights)

Deana Aquino (Sweet Charity)

Dexter Santos (Orosman at Zafira)

John San Antonio (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Costume Design

Raven Ong (Peter Pan)

Mio Infante (Rent)

Emy Tanada (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Lighting Design

Shoko Matsumoto (Next to Normal)

Best Set Design

Joey Mendoza (Little Women)

Gino Gonzales (Peter Pan)

Jeffrey Ambrosio (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Sound Design

Chuck Ledesma (Rent)

Bobbit Jacinto (In the Heights)

Rards Corpus (Sound of Music)

Art Grabentina (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Musical)

Markki Stroem (Next to Normal)

OJ Mariano (Rent)

Michael Williams (Peter Pan)

Jeff Arcilla (Little Women)

Johann dela Fuente (The Wedding Singer)

Jon Jon Martin (The Wedding Singer)

Miguel Faustmann (Sweet Charity)

Myke Salomon (Care Divas)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Play)

Jeremy Domingo (American Hwangap)

Nicco Manalo (American Hwangap)

Jonathan Tadioan (Bombita)

George de Jesus (Amphitryon)

Joshua Deocareza (Titus Andronicus)

Nic Campos (Shakespeare in Hollywood)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Musical)

Bea Garcia (Next to Normal)

Tex Ordonez (In the Heights)

Ciara Sotto (Sweet Charity)

Sheila Valderrama (Sweet Charity)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Play)

Cris Villonco (The Joy Luck Club)

Frances Makil Ignacio (The Joy Luck Club)

Liesl Batucan (American Hwangap)

Skyzx Labastilla (Titus Andronicus)

Best Theater Company

Atlantis Productions Inc.

9 Works Theatrical

Best Theatrical Venue

Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium

CCP Little Theater

PETA Center Theater

Newport Performing Arts Theater (Resorts World Manila)