SCROOGE THE MUSICAL - A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ALL SET TO OPEN ON NOVEMBER 21

Repertory Philippines release material

Repertory Philippines proudly announces its special holiday treat for the entire family with the new production of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL live on stage.

            SCROOGE THE MUSICAL is set to open on November 21, 2014 at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legazpi St., Makati City.

            Renowned writer-composer-lyricist Leslie Bricusse has adapted the classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, into the hit musical. SCROOGE THE MUSICAL closely follows the classic story with the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge undergoing a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night, after being visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

           

            Based on the 1970 film musical of the same name, the original production of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL opened in 1992 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. After a series of UK tours, the show opened at the London Palladium in 2005 where stage veteran Tommy Steele took on the leading role. The production continued on tour and was revived again for the 2012-2013 Christmas season at the London Palladium. The musical features all the songs from the film, including the Oscar nominated song ‘Thank You Very Much’, written by Leslie Bricusse.

            The Repertory Philippines’ production of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL will be directed by Ms. Baby Barredo, the company’s artistic director.

The cast of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL and the characters they portray are as follows:

Miguel Faustmann and Chinggoy Alonso will alternately play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge –  a stingy, chilly, cowardly, grumpy and money-hungry businessman. While he is much more benevolent than before his “caroling” experience, he is still uncertain as to the reason behind generosity in general.

            Raul Montesa will play the role of Jacob Marley – the business partner of Scrooge who died seven years ago.

            Cara Barredo plays the role of Ghost of Christmas Past – the first of the spirits foretold by Marley who shows Scrooge his past Christmases.

             Oliver Usison plays the role of Ghost of Christmas Present – the second of the spirits foretold by Marley that shows Scrooge Christmas celebrations in the present time.

            Dwight Angelo Vito Cruz plays the role of  Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come – the third spirit foretold by Marley that shows Scrooge Christmases in the Future.

            Chino Veguillas plays the role of Bob Cratchit – Scrooge’s clerk.

            Gabo Tiongson and Soleil Luna Bueno will alternately play the role of

Tiny Tim – the crippled son of the Cratchits who is the beneficiary of physical therapy paid for by Scrooge.

            The other cast  members are Justine Peña as Ethel Cratchit, Ashlee Factor as Kathy,  Arnel Carrion as Young Ebenezer,  Christine Flores as Isabel,  Noel Comia as Ebby (child Ebenezer), Steven Conde as Tom Jenkins,  Alexander Cortez as Mr. Fezziwig and Sheila Francisco as Mrs. Fezziwig. 

            The ensemble is composed of  Andee Achacoso, Khevin Almario,  Rachel Coates, David Shawn Delgado, Daniel Drilon, Natalie Everett, Thea Gloria, Vien Alen King, Bianca Mauricio, Chill Ocampo, Jay Pangilinan, Joshua Ramirez, Albert Silos and Dwight Angelo Vito Cruz.

The artistic team of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL is composed of  Baby Barredo (Director), Natalie Everett (Assistant Director), Onyl Torres (Musical Director),  Jason Zamora (Choreographer),  Miguel Faustmann (Set Designer),  Valeen Vicente (Costume Designer),  John Batalla (Lights Designer) and the Manila String Machine (Orchestra).

            SCROOGE THE MUSICAL runs until December 14, 2014 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.

            Come and share the wonder and magic of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL.  We guarantee your heart will be blessed, your toes will be tapping, and you will be humming as you leave the theatre, full of the “Spirit of Christmas (Past, Present, and Future!).”

            For details of the show, you may contact us the following ways:

            By phone      :           843-3570 and 451-1474

            By e-mail       :           shows@repertoryphilippines.com

            By Internet   :           http://www.repertoryphilippines.com

Tickets are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks:

           Facebook      :           www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter           :           www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram     :           www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube      :           www.youtube.com/repphils

Repertory Philippines would like to thank the City of Makati, BusinessWorld, Ticketworld, Raintree Restaurants: Mr. Jones, Kabila, MOMO Café and Museum as well as Art Magazine, WhenInManila, Chihuahua Restaurant, Astroplus, AstroVision, Lane Moving and Storage, Greenbelt, and Ayala Malls for their continuing partnerships.

            SCROOGE THE MUSICAL is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

            See you at the theater!!!

Noises Off By Repertory Phils. review

The first time I saw Noises Off was in the movie I rented for the community-based theater guild that I was affiliated back in the 90's. This story was our reference about the do's and don'ts in a theater performance.

 

The cast line up for the Repertory Phils.' production of Noises Off is well selected. What I didn't know was that Gerard Sison, known for his cosplaying the late Christopher Reeve's Superman, is also a part of Repertory and makes his comeback for the role Frederick Fellowes which was also played by Reeve in the movie. It was too much for a coincidence because Gerard is a spitting image of Christopher Reeve that I later found out that it was a suggestion by another actor.

 

 Unlike the movie, it doesn't have a feeling that you are inside the stage so I prefer watching it in a real theater performance because the audience need to interact with the play in a third-person as well as first-person perspective. The humor is also smart comedy with slapstick so it is not for kids to understand.

 

Repertory Philippines will run Noises Off until April 27. For more theater reviews, like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

RepPhils' August: Osage County review

Story: Dark side of a family drama about the struggles of the Weston family after a death in the family.

Review: During the run of Repertory Phils.' season opener, Wait Until Dark, it was quite unusual to have a crime-thriller to start the new year. During the time, we were oriented with August: Osage County. Although they didn't do an excerpt because they felt it wouldn't give it justice and it might spoil it away, they just give us some hints why we should see it. Leaving us in anticipation until the press night.

Osage County is in the state of Oklahoma and is part of the Native American territory specifically, the Osage Nation of the Midlands. The title itself is  taken from a poem by Howard Starks. 

The play itself is as long as 3 hours and half but you will never notice because the story engages you. You will be confronted with the characters' different issues. Even though it is set in the American Midlands, the Westons exhibits Pinoy family values though dysfunctional. If this was shown in Pilipino, it may have been a soap opera. If Pinoys should do a telenovela, it should follow the example of August: Osage County.

Like I said, it has values all Filipinos can relate. But be prepared. Even though it has some comical moments, it is a roller coaster of emotions that may disturb you. or make you see the realization. I also got see my situation in one of the characters but I can't tell without spoiling the story.

Baby Barredo's performance as Violet Weston, the matriarch of the family will be the center point of the story and it is good to see her perform again on stage. Although there are some performances that has alternates in characters, you will be assured that the story won't be any different. Each actor has a different take on the characters they play. For me, the ending is the perfect closure for the story.

I am fortunate to watch this because it is a rare occasion for Chris Millado of CCP directs for Repertory. He has a specific genre he wants to be involved in and when he was offered August: Osage County, he immediately accepts.

Some of you may have seen the movie version starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts but it is a known comparison that the movie may not give you the same connection and experience that you will see in staged performances.

Catch August: Osage County at Onstage in Greenbelt 1 this season and will run until March 16. Contact TicketWorld at 891-9999 for schedule of shows or check out www.RepertoryPhilippines,com

RepPhils' version of August: Osage County starts February 21 at Onstage

August Osage County is the second production of Repertory Phils. this season. For the first time, they invited Chris Millado of Tanghalang Pilipino to direct the play for Rep. He described it as a Pandora's Box because it is terrifyingly real to all especially Filipinos.

You will relate to the experiences like the Filipino families you see in soap operas. But August Osage County will show you how a telenovela should be done. Watching it will be like a roller coaster horror ride.

Although there was no excerpt shown, it was already clear from them that it will be really interesting. There will be lots of swearing and choreographed fights. You may not like it but the story will either transform you or you will see yourself in that situation.

Chris Millado agreed to direct this because it fit his specific genre that he wants in a story. Baby Barredo returns to stage in this production along with Ms. Saigon alumni Pinky Amador. August Osage County runs in from February 21 to March 16 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1.

Repertory Phils. opens 2014 with a thriller "Wait Until Dark"

When I first saw the line up of Repertory this season, I thought Wait Until Dark is a horror story. On its opening night, I was bracing myself what kind of horror I'm going to see. It turns out that it was a crime-thriller.

Wait Until Dark is a 1966 play by Frederick Knott. It was given a movie adaptation a year later starring Audrey Hepburn, Richard Crenna, Alan Arkin, etc. In 1998, it was revived in Broadway with a cast including Marisa Tomei and Quentin Tarantino.

What impresses me about the story is the conflict of the main character Susy, a blind housewife(played by Liesl Batucan) being targeted by con-men. Her disability is also an obstacle/conflict and as well as the three con-men. The cast was chosen well for the play.

Arnel Carrion plays Roat, one of the con-men. Roat is the representation of any crime-thriller as a dangerous man you shouldn't get involved with. Joel Trinidad plays the Mike Trenton, one of the con-men and doubles as one of the police officers.

Robbie Guevarra plays Croker, another con-man and also doubles as one of the police officers. Robbie provides a little laugh in this serious story. Making her debut in a straight play is Daniella Gana as Gloria, neighbor of Susy. I saw her performed in a title role in Alice In Wonderland.She proved that she can now do regular productions of Repertory besides the Children's Theater. She is progressing now at a young age. I look forward to see more of her in productions like these.

Catch Wait Until Dark at Onstage this month for the opening season of Repertory Phils.

Repertory Phils.' Theatre For Young Audiences presents Alice In Wonderland.

A Sneak Peek to Wonderland

 

Lewis Caroll's classic tale Alice In Wonderland captured the imagination of many readers both young and old. What most doesn't know that the world called Wonderland is very complicated to children if they happen to read the book. I remember doing a review titled, The Psychology behind Alice In Wonderland.

 

Alice In Wonderland has been immortalized in many mediums such as cinemas, television and even the theater. Speaking of theater, Repertory Philippines' Theatre for Young Audiences is going to stage Alice for the third time starting August 17 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1.

 

 I already got the chance to watch one of their previous production like Aladdin when I accompanied my younger sister as her school's field trip that sponsored a play date. Rep made the theater an educational medium to reach out to the kids of all age

 

Not only that their productions are colorfully appealing, it's also a chance for the kids to participate interactively during one of the scenes in the play. Alice marks Theater For Young Audiences 21st Year in performing for the kids.

 

Speaking of educational, what you can learn from Alice is creativity and imagination which is not only kids can learn but the adults as well. I got to see an excerpt of Alice and I got to experience the Mad Hatter's tea party as well and it was fun. I am looking forward to its opening on August 17.

 

Cast includes Chaye Mogg and Daniella Gana takes turns as Alice. Reb Atadero, Jim Ferrer, and Nacho Tambunting as the White Rabbit. The Mad Hatter played by Joel Trinidad and Nic Campos. The dreaded Queen of Hearts played by Bituin Escalante and Natalie Everett.  Joy Virata directs. For ticket reservations, visit Ticketworld website or e-mail shows@repertoryphilippines.com