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Photo Coverage: CARE DIVAS to Debut at OnStage Theatre, 4/27-29 by Oliver Oliveros
- April 17, 2012 Considered as pillars of Philippine Theater, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Repertory Philippines (Rep) - coincidentally, both theater companies celebrate their 45th anniversary this year - are joining forces to bring one of PETA's highly successful original Filipino musicals, "Care Divas," to Rep's home at Greenbelt 1's OnStage Theatre on April 27 to 29.
BWW Interviews: BARE’s Reb Atadero Talks RIZAL X, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR & ONCE by Oliver Oliveros
- April 11, 2012 Ateneo de Manila University alumnus-turned-stage actor, musical director Reb Atadero first appeared in Blue Repertory's 2006 production of 'Hope for Flowers,' a rock musical inspired by Trina Paulus' book of the same title. Apparently, Reb fell in love with the process of putting on a play, and since then has kept the ball rolling. By attending workshops handled by stage veteran Robbie Guevara, he studied musical theater, which he admitted was initially unknown to him. However, right after seeing the video version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's seminal rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar," he said to himself, "Where have you been all my life, musical theater? Such a progressive art form is a fantastic medium for telling stories!"
Anna Maria Perez de Tagle Holds Benefit Concert On Board Cruise Ship, 5/7 by Oliver Oliveros
- April 09, 2012 GODSPELL star Anna Maria Perez de Tagle holds a benefit concert for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Monday, May 7, on board the Hornblower Hybrid (embarking at 7 p.m. from Pier 40), featuring de Tagle's GODSPELL costars Corbin Bleu, Wallace Smith, Nick Blaemire, Eric Krop, and George Salazar, and Filipino-American television and film actor and singer Sam Milby. Sonny Paladino is musical director.
It’s Official: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA To Premiere in Manila, 8/25-10/14 by Oliver Oliveros
- March 29, 2012 It is better late than never for Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Francis Lumen, Smart, and Citibank Philippines. Andrew Lloyd Webber's megamusical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, based on the French novel 'Le Fantôme de l'Opéra' by Gaston Leroux, gets its Philippine premiere after 24 years since the production opened on Broadway. An international touring production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, featuring cast members from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, and South Africa, runs at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' main theater from Saturday, August 25 to Sunday, October 14. Tickets go on sale to general public starting Tuesday, May 1. For Infinity (Powered by Smart) subscribers and Citibank cardholders, pre-selling of tickets is from Monday, March 19 to Monday, April 30.
Photo Flash: GOD OF CARNAGE Poster Featuring Salonga, Yulo Released by Oliver Oliveros
- March 27, 2012 Atlantis Productions has just released the teaser poster for its upcoming production of Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning play GOD OF CARNAGE, starring Lea Salonga, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Adrian Pang, and Art Acuña. To be directed by Bobby Garcia, the play will premiere in Manila in July, and in Singapore in November through a partnership with Singapore Repertory Theatre.
New Voice Company Holds Another V-Day Fundraiser, 3/31 by Oliver Oliveros
- March 27, 2012 New Voice Company, whose founder, Monique Wilson ('My Name Is Rachel Corrie,' 'The Good Body'), is one of the most provocative voices in Philippine contemporary theater, brings back THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, Eve Ensler's Obie Award-winning play, and V-Day 2012, a global movement that raises money for community organizations fighting violence against women, at Music Museum, Greenhills Shopping Center on Saturday, March 31 at 8 p.m.
Photo Flash: JEKYLL AND HYDE Opens in Manila by Oliver Oliveros
- March 23, 2012 Repertory Philippines' current 45th theater season reaches fever pitch with the premiere of composer Frank Wildhorn and book writer and lyricist Leslie Bricusse's overtly melodramatic, pop rock-laden Broadway musical JEKYLL AND HYDE. However, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, director for JEKYLL AND HYDE, along with her team, seems to have been rising above the original Broadway production's bad reputation since the local production opened last weekend. Whereas American critics find Wildhorn's body of work as "gallumphing, dunderheaded musicals that make everything by Andrew Lloyd Webber seems like great art," says Linda Winer of 'Newsday'; Filipino critics find Repertory Philippines' stripped-down incarnation of Wildhorn's most popular undertaking as nothing short of a miracle. "By doing away with the stage spectacle [without the high-tech gimmickry that marked its Broadway run], the focus was redirected to the actors - and rightly so," says Vladimir Bunoan of ABS-CBNNews.com.
Photo Coverage: GODSPELL Meets Filipino-American Press by Oliver Oliveros
- March 19, 2012 Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and George Salazar, Filipino actors and singers who are making their Broadway debuts in the current production of GODSPELL, and the rest of the show's cast were in full force to welcome the Filipino-American press, and Filipino-American TV and film actor Sam Milby, at a cocktail reception at Bambo 52 sushi bar and lounge in New York City, on Thursday, March 15, followed by an evening performance of GODSPELL at Circle in the Square Theatre, and a post-show talk back with KABABAYAN LA's Janelle So.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Lands in Manila for the Restaging of IN THE HEIGHTS, 3/16-25 by Oliver Oliveros
- March 14, 2012 Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator, original leading man (Usnavi), and Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer of the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical IN THE HEIGHTS, just landed in Manila to attend the opening night of Atlantis Productions Inc.'s restaging of IN THE HEIGHTS - its first ever licensed production in Asia, which features an all-Filipino cast - on Friday, March 16 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City, Philippines.
Photo Flash: De La Salle University Restages A FIRE IN THE SOUL by Oliver Oliveros
- March 13, 2012 The De La Salle Brothers, Roman Catholic religious brothers who dedicate their lives to educating young people, recently celebrated the centennial anniversary of De La Salle University (DLSU) in the Philippines, and commemorated their colleagues who were killed by Japanese soldiers in World War II via the restaging of the cantata (a vocal chamber work) A FIRE IN THE SOUL, which features libretto by Vicente Groyon III, music by Von de Guzman, and direction by Peque Gallaga.
Photo Flash: Blue Repertory’s Production of BARE by Oliver Oliveros
- March 05, 2012 Manila theatergoers have until Saturday, March 10, to catch Blue Repertory's production of Off-Broadway musical BARE at Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center. Theater and film actress Ana Abad Santos directs the production, starring Bibo Reyes and Jaime Barcelon.
De La Salle University Restages A FIRE IN THE SOUL, 2/27 by Oliver Oliveros
- February 26, 2012 Before moving to New York, I taught public relations courses at De La Salle University (DLSU-Manila) Department of Communication, where I also pursued studies in organizational communication and applied media. My alma mater turns 100 this year; and, I'm encouraging you to take part in its year-long celebration. Catching the restaging of the cantata (a vocal chamber work)A FIRE IN THE SOUL, featuring libretto by Vicente Groyon III, music by Von de Guzman, and direction by Peque Gallaga, at DLSU's Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium, 7F Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall on Monday, February 27, 8 p.m. would be greatly appreciated.
Mio Infante Talks Designing Costumes & Sets for CHARLIE BROWN, LITTLE MERMAID & More by Oliver Oliveros
- February 26, 2012 Actor turned designer Mio Infante has both or either designed scenography and costumes of some of the biggest and arguably the best children-centric musical theater productions of the past 11 years: Trumpets' LITTLE MERMAID(2001) and THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE(2002); and Atlantis Productions' Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST(2005) were some of the magical worlds he has created on stage.
ALADDIN to Make Asian Premiere in Manila This November by Nicole Rosky
- February 24, 2012 According to their website, Atlantic Productuctions will present the Asian premiere of Disney's Aladdin. The show will open at Manila's Meralco Theatre in November 2012. Casting has not yet been announced.
Photo Flash: 9 Works Theatrical Presents YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN by Oliver Oliveros
- February 21, 2012 For its first offering this year, 9 Works Theatrical presents the musical comedy YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN - based on the comic strip 'Peanuts' by Charles Schulz; featuring book by John Gordon; and music and lyrics by Clark Gesner. The show runs at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City until Saturday, March 3.
Suzue Toshiro’s FIREFLIES Plays Final Week at Ateneo de Manila University, 2/22-25 by Oliver Oliveros
- February 20, 2012 Tanghalang Ateneo and Ateneo Fine Arts Production, together with the Japan Foundation and the Department of English of Ateneo de Manila University, present Japanese playwright Suzue Toshiro's contemporary play FIREFLIES whose story follows three interlinked Japanese couples that are caught up in an emotional alienation. Directed by Ricardo Abad and BJ Crisostomo, and translated in English by David Goodman, FIREFLIES plays its last week at Rizal Mini Theatre, Ateneo Manila University from Wednesday, February 22 to Saturday, February 25 at 7 p.m., plus a Saturday matinee performance at 2 p.m. Toshiro will also give a lecture on contemporary Japanese theater on Friday, February 24 at Fine Arts Studio, Loyola Schools at 4:30 p.m.
MAMMA MIA! In Manila Extends Till 2/19 by Oliver Oliveros
- February 19, 2012 True blue ABBA fans have an additional one week to catch the international touring production of composers and lyricists Benny Andersson and Bjorn 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.
Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Blue Repertory’s Revival of BARE by Oliver Oliveros
- February 17, 2012 Ateneo Blue Repertory of the Loyola Schools Performing Arts Cluster brings back one of its hit musicals from Off-Broadway, BARE: A Pop Opera, at Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center on February 29 (opening night); March 1 to 3; and March 7 to 10. Once again, theater and film actress Ana Abad Santos directs the production, which stars Jaime Barcelon and Bibo Reyes.
Photo Flash: PETA's Filipino Adaptation of Shakespeare's KING LEAR by Oliver Oliveros
- February 14, 2012 Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), together with the British Council and the National Commission for Culture and Arts, presents the first-ever Filipino adaptation of William Shakespeare's more renowned tragedy HARING LEAR(KING LEAR) at PETA Theatre Center until Sunday, March 4. National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera does the text adaptation and veteran theater director Nonon Padilla directs this production.
Photo Flash: Ken Ludwig’s LEADING LADIES Opens In Manila by Oliver Oliveros
- February 10, 2012 Premier theater company Repertory Philippines (Rep) opened Ken Ludwig's (CRAZY FOR YOU, LEND ME A TENOR) rib-tickling play LEADING LADIES last night at Onstage Theatre, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Circle in the Square School (N.Y.)-trained actor Topper Fabregas and Rep regular James Stacey topbill the production.
NEXT FALL Opens Repertory Philippines’ 75th Season, 1/13-2/5 by Oliver Oliveros
- February 05, 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. 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.
CIRQUE MOTHER AFRICA Set for Resorts World Manila, 4/19-22 by Kelsey Denette
- February 04, 2012 For the first time in Manila, the world-renowned Cirque Mother Africa (created by professional acrobat Winston Ruddle) will dazzle and mesmerize local audiences with wild African music, dance and performance in a two-hour showcase.
Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Repertory Philippines’ LEADING LADIES by Oliver Oliveros
- January 31, 2012 The cast of Repertory Philippines' (Rep) LEADING LADIES, a rib-tickling play by Ken Ludwig (CRAZY FOR YOU, LEND ME A TENOR), recently held a photo op during a press conference at Rep's main office in Ortigas Center. LEADING LADIES is Rep's second offering for its 75th season.
Atlantis Productions’ NINE Pulls Off A Casting Coup, 9/21-10/7 by Oliver Oliveros
- January 30, 2012 In Atlantis Productions Inc.'s upcoming musical NINE, which features Maury Yeston's music and lyrics, and Arthur Kopit's book based on Federico Fellini's semi-autobiographical film 8 1/2, Jett Pangan will portray the role of Italian filmmaker Guido Contini; Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo will play Contini's wife, Luisa; Cherie Gil will play Contini's film producer, Liliane Le Fleur; and Eula Valdez will play Contini's leading lady, Claudia Jenssen.
MAMMA MIA! In Manila Extends Till 2/19 by Oliver Oliveros
- 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 Bjorn 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.