I loved this scene from Smash, Season 2. There's nobody else around, and it has a backstage vibe to it. I also love this song and I'm a sucker for scenes that get the whole cast together. They're walking around the Broadway streets early in the morning as they head to the theater for the Tony's.
Walking around in that row of streets between Times Square and Hell's Kitchen is so electrifying, theater after theater, posters and actors' names on marquees. That there are dozens of amazing shows you could walk into on any week night is one of the reasons I love New York.
Smash was by no means an amazing show but I was always drawn to it because of the peek it gives into the creative processes of writing, casting and producing a show. I love that they cast so many real theater performers, including my favorite Will Chase!. I never got to see Jeremy Jordan in Newsies but I got to meet him in Smash. I super hate his character but love his voice, and I absolutely can't wait to see him in Last 5 Years. I'd love to see Megan Hilty live, she's such a bombshell. The show didn't make a McPheever fan out of me and she was probably my least favorite on the show; her voice is unfortunately also the thinnest compared to her formidable Broadway-trained co-stars. But that's ok, she gets the poppier tunes and I a lot of them (especially hers and Jeremy's songs) are on loop on my iPod.
It was a delectable guilty pleasure and with two full seasons it would make for fantastic binge watching. And when I want to see the beautiful theater streets again... cue video.
Showing posts with label theater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theater. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
Book of Mormon
January 2013
Put this on my list when it first came out finally got to see it last year! This was the first ticket I booked when I found out I was going to New York. I didn't reach the original cast but I was so excited to find out that the new Elder Price was none other than Mattchior, Matt Doyle who I saw in Spring and got the nickname after he played Melchior one night.
This show was so ridiculous and didn't take itself too seriously at all. I mean, "I have maggots in my scrotum"?! Come on! "Sal Tlay Ka Siti" was so serious and funny at the same time. And the baptism scene written like a love scene. Come annnnn. To end Act One was "Man Up", time for Elder Cunningham to step up! That song really made me cry. I loved this show so much.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Noli Me Tangere Manila
Why I enjoyed my theater trip outside RCBC
I can't decide how much I liked this show. On the one hand, production value was excellent. On the other, I only understood like 40% of it. (Yes, I am a terrible Filipino. Yes, I am terrible at Filipino.) Maybe I should have invited a companion who could have acted as a handy reference for words I didn't understand.I have, let's say, personal baggage about Noli Me Tangere. I had to take it up twice, once each in high school and college. I didn't enjoy studying it either time because, well, I didn't really enjoy anything we took up in Filipino class. And having read it 1-2 times, I really don't think it's a good book. I'm not talking context; but as a work of literature I don't know what it wants to say or do. So many characters, so many symbols, so many sub-plots. Too crazy. (Like seasons four and five of Lost?) So me disliking the content to begin with + not being able to understand the whole show makes me feel like I can't really make a judgments or comment about whether or not play's truth was well told.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
In the Heights Manila: As good as it gets?
I think it was Plato who said that ours is but a world of echoes, that everything in our reality only hints of another dimension where things exist in essence, in their purest form. Based on his belief, are we doomed to live our entire existence without experiencing “the real thing”? When it comes to local theater, I sometimes think this is true.
---
I grew up believing that Philippine theatre was every bit as wonderful as anything that existed outside the country. After all, wasn’t a Filipina headlining Miss Saigon in the West End?
The first real musical I remember seeing was Les Miserables by Repertory Philippines. I was in Grade Three. I still remember Javert’s inverted body on the barricade, the rotating stage, and I remember thinking that I’d much rather be Eponine than Cosette. Even if Cosette had the money and got the guy, Eponine got all the good songs. I distinctly remember my lola shaking Baby Barredo’s hand after the curtain fell and congratulating her on a show that was “as good as Broadway”. My lola had an apartment in New York so I knew she meant business when it came to theater.
When I was in high school one of my best friends came home raving about the latest hit on Broadway, Rent. She lent us her CD’s and got us started on the world of the ten gallon plastic pickle tub. When Rent opened in Music Museum a few months later, I saw it myself and fell in love (with Mark/JM who I’m still sad is gay). We watched it five times and would sing “Out Tonight”, “Light My Candle”, “Will I” and most of the other songs on our lunch breaks. In a school activity we were asked to give ourselves nicknames and naturally mine was Mimi (luckily my teacher was also a Rent-head and unfazed by how my alternate self was an HIV-positive stripper). That Manila production was my original Rent. I enjoyed it so much that even when I found myself in New York I didn’t feel the need to see it on Broadway.
I would consider those two experiences the biggest contributors to making me a bona fide theater lover, though I’ve been lucky to have had many wonderfully more since then.
Last Friday became another theater night, an impromptu plan to see the opening performance of In The Heights in Manila.
---
I grew up believing that Philippine theatre was every bit as wonderful as anything that existed outside the country. After all, wasn’t a Filipina headlining Miss Saigon in the West End?
The first real musical I remember seeing was Les Miserables by Repertory Philippines. I was in Grade Three. I still remember Javert’s inverted body on the barricade, the rotating stage, and I remember thinking that I’d much rather be Eponine than Cosette. Even if Cosette had the money and got the guy, Eponine got all the good songs. I distinctly remember my lola shaking Baby Barredo’s hand after the curtain fell and congratulating her on a show that was “as good as Broadway”. My lola had an apartment in New York so I knew she meant business when it came to theater.
When I was in high school one of my best friends came home raving about the latest hit on Broadway, Rent. She lent us her CD’s and got us started on the world of the ten gallon plastic pickle tub. When Rent opened in Music Museum a few months later, I saw it myself and fell in love (with Mark/JM who I’m still sad is gay). We watched it five times and would sing “Out Tonight”, “Light My Candle”, “Will I” and most of the other songs on our lunch breaks. In a school activity we were asked to give ourselves nicknames and naturally mine was Mimi (luckily my teacher was also a Rent-head and unfazed by how my alternate self was an HIV-positive stripper). That Manila production was my original Rent. I enjoyed it so much that even when I found myself in New York I didn’t feel the need to see it on Broadway.
I would consider those two experiences the biggest contributors to making me a bona fide theater lover, though I’ve been lucky to have had many wonderfully more since then.
Last Friday became another theater night, an impromptu plan to see the opening performance of In The Heights in Manila.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
theater weekend!
Next to Normal on Saturday, 39 Steps on Sunday. Wish all weekends could be like this!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
chasing Will Chase
Dear Will Chase,
I was lucky to have been told by the stage door guy at the Imperial that you don't usually do the autograph line and walk away immediately. So I was well positioned to chase you down 44th St. for an autograph and a photo.
I love Rent, see. I first saw it live in a local Manila production maybe a decade ago and fell in love. I regret never watching Rent on Broadway but thank god for this digital age when theater performances can be recorded and immortalized on DVD, then get distributed worldwide via peer-to-peer sharing.
I finally got to see Rent "Live on Broadway" a few months ago. I plugged my USB into the player, sat on the floor in front of my TV and entered Alphabet City on December 24th, 9pm EST. Mark shot without a script! Then there was you, tuning the Fender guitar. And what a Roger. Words I had memorized for years felt like they were being sung for the first time.
I usually like Mark better than Roger, dorky vs brooding you know? But not your Roger. Your performance brought me to tears and made me fall in love with him, that first time and many viewings since.
Which is why I KNEW, being back in New York, that I was not going to miss Billy Elliot if it killed me. The chance to hear you in person! I won't pretend that I was / am disappointed that Tony grossly underutilizes your vocal prowess.
But it was a good show overall and now we've come full circle to post-Billy and me needing to chase Will Chase for a much-awaited encounter.
You turned around when I called, "Will Chase!" and asked for an autograph. As you signed my Playbills I told you I had seen you in Miss Saigon, Manila. Did you reply, Awesome? Then I asked if you would take a picture with me, which I told you I would be taking myself. After the click I was checking the camera and you asked, "Are we pretty?" Will Chase, you are very pretty.
I was so overjoyed by this brief encounter that I almost told the girl in line for the American Idiot lottery, where I headed after Billy, what had just happened.
But then I realized that I had forgotten to tell you something, something more important than having seen you in Miss Saigon. What I should have told you- I realize that I am a few years late with this compliment, but you are my favorite Roger.
Would that have made a difference to you to hear? Maybe not. But I would have liked to tell you that in person. After all, how often do we get to tell people that they are our favorite Phantom, Moritz or Elphaba?
So I am instead expressing this sentiment to the general digital populi. That one day you may hear of this know what I meant to say!
Much love and thanks,
Bea
I was lucky to have been told by the stage door guy at the Imperial that you don't usually do the autograph line and walk away immediately. So I was well positioned to chase you down 44th St. for an autograph and a photo.
I love Rent, see. I first saw it live in a local Manila production maybe a decade ago and fell in love. I regret never watching Rent on Broadway but thank god for this digital age when theater performances can be recorded and immortalized on DVD, then get distributed worldwide via peer-to-peer sharing.
I usually like Mark better than Roger, dorky vs brooding you know? But not your Roger. Your performance brought me to tears and made me fall in love with him, that first time and many viewings since.
Which is why I KNEW, being back in New York, that I was not going to miss Billy Elliot if it killed me. The chance to hear you in person! I won't pretend that I was / am disappointed that Tony grossly underutilizes your vocal prowess.
But it was a good show overall and now we've come full circle to post-Billy and me needing to chase Will Chase for a much-awaited encounter.
You turned around when I called, "Will Chase!" and asked for an autograph. As you signed my Playbills I told you I had seen you in Miss Saigon, Manila. Did you reply, Awesome? Then I asked if you would take a picture with me, which I told you I would be taking myself. After the click I was checking the camera and you asked, "Are we pretty?" Will Chase, you are very pretty.I was so overjoyed by this brief encounter that I almost told the girl in line for the American Idiot lottery, where I headed after Billy, what had just happened.
But then I realized that I had forgotten to tell you something, something more important than having seen you in Miss Saigon. What I should have told you- I realize that I am a few years late with this compliment, but you are my favorite Roger.
Would that have made a difference to you to hear? Maybe not. But I would have liked to tell you that in person. After all, how often do we get to tell people that they are our favorite Phantom, Moritz or Elphaba?
So I am instead expressing this sentiment to the general digital populi. That one day you may hear of this know what I meant to say!
Much love and thanks,
Bea
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Broadway Roundup, Part 1
Would have liked to write one post per show, but I know I'll never end up posting if I wait until I feel like actually doing that. So here is a recap of all the shows I've seen on this trip so far. I used the OBSSB (Official Broadway Scoring System for Blogs) so were complicated calculations for all of these numbers! I want to see a lot more stuff so there will definitely be a Part 2!
PLAYS
Race
http://www.raceonbroadway.com
Alan Shore in the flesh! +40
David Alan Grier +20
Robert something? +20
Kerry Washington +20
The promodizers in Times Square wearing little red sequined dresses +15
Even if they keep talking about it, the little red sequined dress never actually appears in the play! +15
The floor of the set was diagonal, actual upstage and downstage! +40
Great writing... +30
...that has to be delivered perfectly, like the lines have a rhythm +30
A handful of really racist hirits! +20
James Spader signed for autographs and posed for a picture! +40
Total: +290
God of Carnage
http://www.godofcarnage.com/home.php
Lucy Liu +40
Jeff Daniels +40
Janet McTeer +40
Dylan Baker +40
Dylan Baker's cellphone +20
Clafouti +10
Spewing puke +20
Coffee then rum +30
Jeff blows up +30
Janet blows up +30
Lucy blows up and throws tulips around the stage +30
It could be a joke, Two couples discuss a fight between their sons, one who has lost two teeth... +20
Everyone shifts teams at least twice +20
They're in one room the whole play! +10
Our unfortunate animalistic tendencies +20
Total: +410
Red
http://redonbroadway.com/
Alfred Molina +100
Doc Ock in person! +5
Finger rubbing guy in Raiders in person! +15
Can I say Alfred Molina again? +10
Eddie Redmayne +60
Eddie Redmayne who took a photo with me after the show +20
Super harsh American accent for English Molina +5
An awesome show with just two characters +40
An awesome show that happens in just one room +40
Alfred Molina again. +25
Mark Rothko's studio +40
The flecks of red all over the stage floor +10
Pulley system to change paintings +10
Canvas priming, canvas frame-making +10
The running water +10
The painting scene +40
Depiction of Rothko's preferred lighting +10
Record player and music +10
I wish I could remember some lines to quote! Quotable lines +20
Anti-Pollock quips +10
Anti-Cubism quips +10
Anti-pop art quips +10
Not selling out! +20
Fear of being irrelevant +10
Artistic temperament +10
An artist's self-doubt +10
An artist's insane idealism +10
An artist's ego +10
Total: +570
MUSICALS
A Little Night Music
http://www.nightmusiconbroadway.com/
Starpower! Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury in one show +70
Angela Lansbury stole the show with lines about conquests in earlier years with princes, czars, etc! +15
Catherine's stage presence and for tearing up while singing "Send In The Clowns" +10
Finally know where "Send In The Clowns" is from +5
Tickets through student discount, and eventual seating in about the 12th row +20
Good ensemble all around +20
Catherine signs autographs after the show +30
But doesn't pose for pictures -20
Show was sort of boring... -30
Super annoying actress who played young Anne -20
Total: +95
Next to Normal
http://www.nexttonormal.com/home
Wow where to begin?
J. Robert Spencer, who played Dan the Dad +30
Louis Hobson, super gwapo shrink, etc +20
Kyle Dean Massey, who played Gabe +30
Morgan Fahr, who played Natalie (she's the understudy but was awesome!) +35
Adam Chanler-Berat, who played cute, cute, super Jewish Henry, be perfect for me! +35
Alice Ripley oh my god! No wonder she won the Tony +60
Major plot reveal / exposition (no spoilers :) in the middle of the firs act! I did not see that coming +40
Strings and rock! +40
Band in the visible multi-layer wings +20
Three-level set with graffiti eyes, screens, stairs, etc! +30
The set has a pole that the actors swing around! +10
Lights! +20
Diana: And you're not a scary rockstar anymore! +15
Diana: Valium is my favorite color! +15
"Goodbye Henry..." (Hey #1, #2 & #3) +20
"I Am the One" +25
"I'm Alive" +25
"I Am the One" (Reprise) +20
All the other songs +100
Next was awarded the Pulitzer for Drama on the day I watched! +40
Student discount! +20
The first super contemporary musical I've seen / really liked +40
Student ticket price! +20
Anthony Rapp at the show! With picture!!! Maaaark! +30
I didn't get to watch the Gabe who was on Gossip Girl! -15
Super sikip seats... -10
Alice Ripley didn't come out for autographs -15
Total: +700 (Yes, I really liked it)
Fela!
http://www.felaonbroadway.com/
Sahr Ngaujah, who played Fela +80
Sahr Ngaujah, who played Fela and played the trumpet +20
Sahr Ngaujah, who played Fela and played the trumpet, and played the sax! +25
Fela's powder blue long-sleeved button-down shirt, powder blue pants, powder blue shoes! Act I +20
Fela's pink long-sleeved button-down shirt, pink pants, pink blue shoes! Act II +20
Fela's mama +20
All the guy dancers +40
Guy who kept tapping! +20
All the girl dancers +40
Insane Afrobeat band! +40
Drums +30
All of the music! +100
No cast recording... yet -10
Fela: Welcome na da Shrine! +20
The neon pink insert in the Playbill that gave a background of Fela Kuti +20
Student ticket price! +20
Insane dance that didn't look choreographed +30
Costumes +20
Set design that extended all around the theater +40
Moving stairs, falling nets, super 3D stage design +30
Two disco balls! +20
Same theater as Spring! +10
Multimedia! Screens all over +30
Black light! +30
Audience singalong! +30
Audience dance lesson (1, 4, 9) +25
Interactive theater, the lights never went completely dark in Act I +30
Story went time warp but wasn't confusing +20
Deconstructed theater, part story, part concert +60
Everybody say YEAYEA! +40
Total: +920 (Hmm I was very generous with the points! But I really loved this. See why!)
PLAYS
Racehttp://www.raceonbroadway.com
Alan Shore in the flesh! +40
David Alan Grier +20
Robert something? +20
Kerry Washington +20
The promodizers in Times Square wearing little red sequined dresses +15
Even if they keep talking about it, the little red sequined dress never actually appears in the play! +15
The floor of the set was diagonal, actual upstage and downstage! +40
Great writing... +30
...that has to be delivered perfectly, like the lines have a rhythm +30
A handful of really racist hirits! +20
James Spader signed for autographs and posed for a picture! +40
Total: +290
http://www.godofcarnage.com/home.php
Lucy Liu +40
Jeff Daniels +40
Janet McTeer +40
Dylan Baker +40
Dylan Baker's cellphone +20
Clafouti +10
Spewing puke +20
Coffee then rum +30
Jeff blows up +30
Janet blows up +30
Lucy blows up and throws tulips around the stage +30
It could be a joke, Two couples discuss a fight between their sons, one who has lost two teeth... +20
Everyone shifts teams at least twice +20
They're in one room the whole play! +10
Our unfortunate animalistic tendencies +20
Total: +410
http://redonbroadway.com/
Alfred Molina +100
Doc Ock in person! +5
Finger rubbing guy in Raiders in person! +15
Can I say Alfred Molina again? +10
Eddie Redmayne +60
Eddie Redmayne who took a photo with me after the show +20
Super harsh American accent for English Molina +5
An awesome show with just two characters +40
An awesome show that happens in just one room +40
Alfred Molina again. +25
Mark Rothko's studio +40
The flecks of red all over the stage floor +10
Pulley system to change paintings +10
Canvas priming, canvas frame-making +10
The running water +10
The painting scene +40
Depiction of Rothko's preferred lighting +10
Record player and music +10
I wish I could remember some lines to quote! Quotable lines +20
Anti-Pollock quips +10
Anti-Cubism quips +10
Anti-pop art quips +10
Not selling out! +20
Fear of being irrelevant +10
Artistic temperament +10
An artist's self-doubt +10
An artist's insane idealism +10
An artist's ego +10
Total: +570
MUSICALS
http://www.nightmusiconbroadway.com/
Starpower! Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury in one show +70
Angela Lansbury stole the show with lines about conquests in earlier years with princes, czars, etc! +15
Catherine's stage presence and for tearing up while singing "Send In The Clowns" +10
Finally know where "Send In The Clowns" is from +5
Tickets through student discount, and eventual seating in about the 12th row +20
Good ensemble all around +20
Catherine signs autographs after the show +30
But doesn't pose for pictures -20
Show was sort of boring... -30
Super annoying actress who played young Anne -20
Total: +95
http://www.nexttonormal.com/home
Wow where to begin?
J. Robert Spencer, who played Dan the Dad +30
Louis Hobson, super gwapo shrink, etc +20
Kyle Dean Massey, who played Gabe +30
Morgan Fahr, who played Natalie (she's the understudy but was awesome!) +35
Adam Chanler-Berat, who played cute, cute, super Jewish Henry, be perfect for me! +35
Alice Ripley oh my god! No wonder she won the Tony +60
Major plot reveal / exposition (no spoilers :) in the middle of the firs act! I did not see that coming +40
Strings and rock! +40
Band in the visible multi-layer wings +20
Three-level set with graffiti eyes, screens, stairs, etc! +30
The set has a pole that the actors swing around! +10
Lights! +20
Diana: And you're not a scary rockstar anymore! +15
Diana: Valium is my favorite color! +15
"Goodbye Henry..." (Hey #1, #2 & #3) +20
"I Am the One" +25
"I'm Alive" +25
"I Am the One" (Reprise) +20
All the other songs +100
Next was awarded the Pulitzer for Drama on the day I watched! +40
Student discount! +20
The first super contemporary musical I've seen / really liked +40
Student ticket price! +20
Anthony Rapp at the show! With picture!!! Maaaark! +30
I didn't get to watch the Gabe who was on Gossip Girl! -15
Super sikip seats... -10
Alice Ripley didn't come out for autographs -15
Total: +700 (Yes, I really liked it)
http://www.felaonbroadway.com/
Sahr Ngaujah, who played Fela +80
Sahr Ngaujah, who played Fela and played the trumpet +20
Sahr Ngaujah, who played Fela and played the trumpet, and played the sax! +25
Fela's powder blue long-sleeved button-down shirt, powder blue pants, powder blue shoes! Act I +20
Fela's pink long-sleeved button-down shirt, pink pants, pink blue shoes! Act II +20
Fela's mama +20
All the guy dancers +40
Guy who kept tapping! +20
All the girl dancers +40
Insane Afrobeat band! +40
Drums +30
All of the music! +100
No cast recording... yet -10
Fela: Welcome na da Shrine! +20
The neon pink insert in the Playbill that gave a background of Fela Kuti +20
Student ticket price! +20
Insane dance that didn't look choreographed +30
Costumes +20
Set design that extended all around the theater +40
Moving stairs, falling nets, super 3D stage design +30
Two disco balls! +20
Same theater as Spring! +10
Multimedia! Screens all over +30
Black light! +30
Audience singalong! +30
Audience dance lesson (1, 4, 9) +25
Interactive theater, the lights never went completely dark in Act I +30
Story went time warp but wasn't confusing +20
Deconstructed theater, part story, part concert +60
Everybody say YEAYEA! +40
Total: +920 (Hmm I was very generous with the points! But I really loved this. See why!)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
next to normal's pulitzer
When I was having my Playbill signed by the young actor who played Henry in Broadway's Next to Normal, which won the several Tony awards in 2009, he said it was a good day to watch.
It was announced earlier today that Next to Normal won the Pulitzer Prize.
I think this is the first musical I've seen that takes place in the present day (they even quip about Photoshop at one point), about a present-day issue. Even if RENT was pretty contemporary, the audience is removed from issues like homelessness and HIV. This was a real first for me.
Have a lot to say (as usual) about the music, score, lyrics, SET, lighting, ACTORS, etc, but for now I just want to get down that I got to see the show on an important day. Awesome.
It was announced earlier today that Next to Normal won the Pulitzer Prize.
I think this is the first musical I've seen that takes place in the present day (they even quip about Photoshop at one point), about a present-day issue. Even if RENT was pretty contemporary, the audience is removed from issues like homelessness and HIV. This was a real first for me.
Have a lot to say (as usual) about the music, score, lyrics, SET, lighting, ACTORS, etc, but for now I just want to get down that I got to see the show on an important day. Awesome.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Schadenfreud
"Schadenfreud" - I think that was my favorite song!
Wasn't planning to write anything but realized that, when it comes to Manila theater, I tend to want to write more about the shows I wasn't completely happy with. I try to find nice things to say even if I really wasn't very happy and after I click "Publish" I always wish I had just written everything I really felt.
SO. Wanted to quickly write about Avenue Q because I thought it was awesome. Like seriously, flawless and awesome! (By the way the other show I recently saw and really enjoyed but didn't get to write about was Rep's Sweeney Todd.)
This also makes me wonder if I enjoy the shows I have no prior exposure to more than those that I already love, because the expectations are naturally greater for the latter?
But everything was awesome. All of the actors were awesome - and their voices were amazing. I guess that should be sort of standard in musical theater but that sadly has not been the case in 2 of the last 4 plays I've seen - I'm talking about YOU, Wendla and Mimi!
I had no favorites because everyone was amazing. Ok just kidding, extra props to the Felix Rivera and Rachel Alejandro because they performed two major roles each. And extra extra props to Calvin Millado just because he was also Roger. No seriously, great great stuff.
I guess that this cast is also benefiting from the experience of three runs. But the play runs like a well-oiled ship. If I were Chari Arespacochaga I would be very happy to have a success on my hands after the last disaster she directed.
Haha ok it must be pretty obvious now that I have some hatred for Atlantis because of the mockery that was Spring Awakening Manila. Even if I enjoyed one out of three times I saw the show, really, they as theater professionals, lovers, veterans, should have had enough respect for the material and the art not to put on such a terrible show.
I had sort of sworn off Atlantis - what a joke given that there are only like two or three companies in Manila! - as a result of Spring, combined with the terrible Hairspray reviews. But I guess they have made me think twice with Avenue Q.
If you haven't seen this show it is an absolute and total MUST SEE:
Wasn't planning to write anything but realized that, when it comes to Manila theater, I tend to want to write more about the shows I wasn't completely happy with. I try to find nice things to say even if I really wasn't very happy and after I click "Publish" I always wish I had just written everything I really felt.
SO. Wanted to quickly write about Avenue Q because I thought it was awesome. Like seriously, flawless and awesome! (By the way the other show I recently saw and really enjoyed but didn't get to write about was Rep's Sweeney Todd.)
This also makes me wonder if I enjoy the shows I have no prior exposure to more than those that I already love, because the expectations are naturally greater for the latter?But everything was awesome. All of the actors were awesome - and their voices were amazing. I guess that should be sort of standard in musical theater but that sadly has not been the case in 2 of the last 4 plays I've seen - I'm talking about YOU, Wendla and Mimi!
I had no favorites because everyone was amazing. Ok just kidding, extra props to the Felix Rivera and Rachel Alejandro because they performed two major roles each. And extra extra props to Calvin Millado just because he was also Roger. No seriously, great great stuff.
I guess that this cast is also benefiting from the experience of three runs. But the play runs like a well-oiled ship. If I were Chari Arespacochaga I would be very happy to have a success on my hands after the last disaster she directed.
Haha ok it must be pretty obvious now that I have some hatred for Atlantis because of the mockery that was Spring Awakening Manila. Even if I enjoyed one out of three times I saw the show, really, they as theater professionals, lovers, veterans, should have had enough respect for the material and the art not to put on such a terrible show.
I had sort of sworn off Atlantis - what a joke given that there are only like two or three companies in Manila! - as a result of Spring, combined with the terrible Hairspray reviews. But I guess they have made me think twice with Avenue Q.
If you haven't seen this show it is an absolute and total MUST SEE:
Monday, March 01, 2010
welcome to the life cafe
I saw Rent five times when it first opened in Manila in 1999. I have always loved musicals but this was the first contemporary one that I fell in love with.
Rent made waves in my high school - there factions who were on Team Carlo (Ledesma, the squeegee guy) or Team JM (Rodriguez, now gay?). There was even someone on Team Andrew (Vergara, the Stage Manager). Yes, we were fans. We used to sing our favorite songs in the Student Council Office at lunch, channeling our inner Maureen or Mimi.
I don't think that, at 16, I understood the depth of social commentary that was Rent. But this didn't stop the tears from streaming down my cheeks as Roger and Mark fought (they were also crying) during "Goodbye Love" during the last Atlantis performance. "Will I" has always been my favorite song and I fell in love a little when a boy at my church told me he would sing Roger's part to my Mimi in "Light My Candle". A kabarakada recently left to study in New York and on the night of her despedida my Facebook status message read "Let's go ouwooooot tonight!", of course tagging the other girls in our group.
I love Rent and know almost every word in the OBC recording. This musical was the soundtrack to some very memorable years of my life.
Which is why I was hesitant to watch 9 Works Theatrical's re-staging. (Should also mention that I have recently been burned by the painfully sub-par Manila staging of another musical I love.) I didn't want to risk being disappointed.
Heard some good reviews though. A Facebook message from an officemate last week saying that I had to see it finally pushed me to get tickets. So today, after a minor scuffle with front of house regarding a mix-up with our ticket reservagion, my brother, sister and I sat down to Alphabet City.
I'm glad I didn't miss it.
It was a good show overall with one big snag that I will get out of the way! The only real shortcoming that this staging had was Mimi (Cara Barredo). Worst Mimi ever. Her acting was terrible, so one-dimensionally skanky. I couldn't take her in "Light My Candle" and especially not in "Out Tonight", where she couldn't even hit the high notes! Felt so bad for Roger having to pretend that he was in love with her. She couldn't dance and she didn't draw me in to any of her songs and especially not as she is deteriorating in Act II. Did not like her "Without You" and didn't feel anything when she died (except for Mark who burst into tears at that point... maybe because he knew the moment had been wasted). Saw a friend at intermission who told me that the other Mimi is supposedly better. Too bad I didn't know so I could have made sure to see a show with the "good" Mimi... Don't understand though why they cast a second Mimi at all if she can't really act or sing the part.
BUT this staging had a lot of great moments. Here were a few of my favorites:
I also liked Angel (Job Bautista)! How can you not love her? Performance was awesome (kudos to the costume team too, especially for the glowstick coat!) even if vocals weren't quite up to Angel-level.
Overall I think this was a great opener for 9 Works Theatrical. Great staging, a lot of heart. Congratulations!
Rent made waves in my high school - there factions who were on Team Carlo (Ledesma, the squeegee guy) or Team JM (Rodriguez, now gay?). There was even someone on Team Andrew (Vergara, the Stage Manager). Yes, we were fans. We used to sing our favorite songs in the Student Council Office at lunch, channeling our inner Maureen or Mimi.
I don't think that, at 16, I understood the depth of social commentary that was Rent. But this didn't stop the tears from streaming down my cheeks as Roger and Mark fought (they were also crying) during "Goodbye Love" during the last Atlantis performance. "Will I" has always been my favorite song and I fell in love a little when a boy at my church told me he would sing Roger's part to my Mimi in "Light My Candle". A kabarakada recently left to study in New York and on the night of her despedida my Facebook status message read "Let's go ouwooooot tonight!", of course tagging the other girls in our group.
I love Rent and know almost every word in the OBC recording. This musical was the soundtrack to some very memorable years of my life.
Which is why I was hesitant to watch 9 Works Theatrical's re-staging. (Should also mention that I have recently been burned by the painfully sub-par Manila staging of another musical I love.) I didn't want to risk being disappointed.
Heard some good reviews though. A Facebook message from an officemate last week saying that I had to see it finally pushed me to get tickets. So today, after a minor scuffle with front of house regarding a mix-up with our ticket reservagion, my brother, sister and I sat down to Alphabet City.
I'm glad I didn't miss it.
It was a good show overall with one big snag that I will get out of the way! The only real shortcoming that this staging had was Mimi (Cara Barredo). Worst Mimi ever. Her acting was terrible, so one-dimensionally skanky. I couldn't take her in "Light My Candle" and especially not in "Out Tonight", where she couldn't even hit the high notes! Felt so bad for Roger having to pretend that he was in love with her. She couldn't dance and she didn't draw me in to any of her songs and especially not as she is deteriorating in Act II. Did not like her "Without You" and didn't feel anything when she died (except for Mark who burst into tears at that point... maybe because he knew the moment had been wasted). Saw a friend at intermission who told me that the other Mimi is supposedly better. Too bad I didn't know so I could have made sure to see a show with the "good" Mimi... Don't understand though why they cast a second Mimi at all if she can't really act or sing the part.
BUT this staging had a lot of great moments. Here were a few of my favorites:
- "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" > Insane. INSANE. The most powerful moment of the play. I wanted to hold my breath for the whole song. Collins (OJ Mariano) was perfect. Perfect casting, perfect performance. Smooth, R&B, perfectly gay without being effeminate in the least. Also great ensemble support.
- "Over The Moon" > I didn't quite understand this song until I saw Idina perform it in the movie. I imagined how difficult it must be to psych yourself up to perform this because it is such an odd metaphor! But Carla Guevarra conquered it and got me to Moo! She owned Maureen and I think she was my favorite performer in this set. She pulled the everyone's performance level up every time she got on stage. She even made me cry when she talked about Angel after "Contact".
- Mark! > I think they cast a great Mark (Fredison Lo). He is so awkward and geeky, it always surprises that he breaks out and lets loose in La Vie Boheme. He did pretty well portraying the solo observer.
- Roger > I knew that Giancarlo has a beautiful voice but I didn't know it could go Rent! Awesome job. I think he was a better singer than actor but good overall.
- "What You Own" > I think Mark and Roger nailed this. Perfect vocals that properly illuminated the moment that they realize that they've had a community all along, that will unlock their artistic blocks.
- Ensemble pieces "Christmas Bells" and "La Vie Boheme" > Right delivery and energy especially from the supporting cast. Liked the falling snow and the happy chairs at the Life Cafe after Maureen's show!
- Voice Mails from Parents
- "Finale", specifically the "Santa Fe" Reprise by Collins, Roger and Mark :)
I also liked Angel (Job Bautista)! How can you not love her? Performance was awesome (kudos to the costume team too, especially for the glowstick coat!) even if vocals weren't quite up to Angel-level.
Overall I think this was a great opener for 9 Works Theatrical. Great staging, a lot of heart. Congratulations!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Spring Awakening Manila: Third time's the charm
The atmosphere in the theater lobby at 3 in the afternoon yesterday, October 18, was electric, buzzing. Must admit, I was myself almost vibrating with excitement. I had a feeling that this show was going to be TOTALLY FUCKED (and that's a good thing). I had even snuck out of a retreat because I didn't want to miss Spring Awakening's last day in Manila.
This was going to be my third time to see the local staging. I was unhappy with the performance on the first night I watched, but I had seen it since and there had been an improvement - energy was higher, flats and sharps were mostly in tune. So I believed with all my heart and love for this gorgeous musical that the local cast was going to peak and rock it on their last day of the run.
Note: This is going to be pretty long. I know that best practices for web dictate that content should be written in succinct bits that can be consumed quickly. But I think I have a lot to say! So if you want the mini review, just read the next line.
OH MY GOD, IT WAS INSANE. Everything clicked and they brought Spring Awakening to life. I was overjoyed.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Sweeney Todd Manila
I love these posters for Repertory Philippines' adaptation of Sweeney Todd.
Graphically pleasing, good typography, intriguing. My only critique is that there's no call to action, no number to call or website to visit for ticket reservations. Missed opportunity. And who is Lorenzo?
Graphically pleasing, good typography, intriguing. My only critique is that there's no call to action, no number to call or website to visit for ticket reservations. Missed opportunity. And who is Lorenzo?
Cast comprised of Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Robbie Guevarra, Lena McKenzie, and Franco Laurel. More on that through CTC. Tickets are available through TicketNet.
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