SWEENEY TODD Manila Reveals Lead Cast

AUDIE GEMORA, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Robbie Guevara, Lena McKenzie, and Franco Laurel comprise the lead cast of Repertory Philippines’ (REP) new stage production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd.”  The musical runs at Onstage, 2/F Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati City in Manila from November 14 to December 13, 2009.

Sondheim (Into The Woods, Sunday In The Park With George) has won seven Tony Awards, and a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre.  He is also a multiple Grammy Award recipient, and a Pulitzer Prize winner.

The composer’s signature dissonant style in melody, and the chilling and exciting storyline make “Sweeney Todd” a memorable theatre experience. This is REP’s third incarnation of the musical thriller.  The company staged “Sweeney Todd” in 1982 and in the 1990s.

In the title role of Sweeney is Audie Gemora.  Touted as the King of Philippine Musical Theatre, he has appeared in over 40 plays, ranging from Broadway/West End to original Filipino works – playing major roles in “Pippin,” “Evita,” “West Side Story,” “Les Miserables,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Fili and Noli” for the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Pilipino, “Ang Paglalakbay Ni Radiya Managandiri” for The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), among others. 

The role of Mrs. Lovett, the unfortunate neighbor who is infatuated with Sweeney, is taken on by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo.  Two-time Aliw Best Actress, Menchu began her acting career with REP in “Fiddler On The Roof” in 1978.  And from there, she played important roles in “West Side Story,” “A Chorus Line,” “Les Miserables,” “Camelot,” “King And I,” “Evita,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman” to name a few.  She recently made her directorial debut with the highly successful revival of “West Side Story” featuring Christian Bautista, Karylle and Joanna Ampil.

Robbie Guevara plays the Beadle.  He is another main player in local theatre, having appeared in over 70 productions here and abroad.  He has directed REP’s “Romance, Romance” and “A Christmas Carol,” and Blue Repertory’s “Batboy.”

Two newcomers to the REP stage are Lena Mckenzie and Franco Laurel playing Johanna and Anthony respectively. Lena is a soprano who has performed in “Noli Me Tangere” for CCP Tanghalang Pilipino.  She is currently a voice major at the University of the Philippines (UP).  Franco, on the other hand, began performing in musicals in 1999 with “Rama and Sita,” where he played Rama’s younger brother.  In 2004, he received the Aliw Award Best Actor for his role as Ugly in Trumpets’ “Honk, the Ugly Duckling.” And in 2008, he was Jose Rizal in “Isang Panaginip Na Fili” for Dulaang UP.

Baby Barredo (Master Class) co-directs with Michael Williams (Man of La Mancha, Once On This Island).  Ms. Barredo has come full circle in “Sweeney Todd” as she was Mrs. Lovett in the 1982 production.  The other members of the Artistic and Production staff include Gino Gonzales (The Last 5 Years, Once On This Island)) for costume design, John Batalla (Once On This Island, N.O.A.H.) for lighting design, and Mio Infante (West Side Story, N.O.A.H.) for set design.  Gerard Salonga (West Side Story) conducts the FILharmoniKA orchestra.

“Sweeney Todd” play dates are from November 14 to December 13, 2009 with additional matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at Onstage, 2/F Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center Makati City.  For ticket inquiries and other information, call REP at (632) 8870710, 8880887 or Ticketworld at 8919999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph