Article:
'West Side Story' all set
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"West Side Story," Stages' major musical offering in 2008, is all set to go on stage with an
assembly of a strong cast headlined by Christian Bautista, Karylle, and London West End's
Joanna Ampil; a live orchestra with Gerard Salonga as musical director; and a first-rate
artistic team with Audie Gemora as executive producer, and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as
director.
After rigid auditions that took two months, whose mix of aspirants emerged not only from
the Philippines but also from other countries like Singapore, Australia, the United States,
and the United Kingdom, STAGES has finally completed its cast of singers and dancers.
Balladeer Christian Bautista is given the role of Tony. He is tall, handsome, and has the
makings of a perfect romantic leading man.
Singer and actress Karylle could match Natalie Wood's film version of Maria. She is young
and beautiful. She sings her songs with utmost conviction.
Meanwhile, the Philippines will get the rare chance to watch Joanna Ampil in her first
musical theater assignment in Manila after sixteen years playing lead roles in London.
Joanna has agreed to share the role of Maria with Karylle because she has long wanted to
perform for her kababayans who cannot easily afford to go to London to watch her in a
musical.
Local audiences have to see why Joanna is a favorite of British producer Cameron
Mackintosh. Joanna, at one time, was even handpicked by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to
play Mary Magdalene in "Jesus Christ Superstar."
Gian Magdangal as Riff returns to the theater after a three-year hiatus. He is seen in the
reality show "Philippine Idol" on ABC 5, and "SOP Rules" on GMA 7.
Another world-class import, Filipino Australian Rowena Vilar, who played Kim, Gigi, and
Ellen in the recent Australian tour of "Miss Saigon," joins the cast of "West Side Story."
Highly recommended by Leo Valdez, who played The Engineer in "Miss Saigon," Rowena
will be flying in to share the role of the feisty Anita with local theater and pop artist Pam G.
Since "West Side Story" is primarily a dance musical, the artistic team had to call
professional dance groups, and handpick very strong dancers for the supporting cast. Rest
assured that the show would be a night of great dancing. Jazz choreographer James
Laforteza is tasked to reconstruct Jerome Robbins' original choreography in the Broadway
production.
It is interesting to note that musical director Gerard Salonga has been longing to do "West
Side Story." Lea Salonga's husband Rob Chien, who now manages the FILharmoniKA
orchestra under Ambient Media, went the extra mile to make it possible for them to play
for the production.
Manila's theater-going public has been looking forward to the re-staging of this classic
Broadway musical, including a growing number of fundraising groups, and block buyers.
"We initially opened up sixteen shows to fundraising groups, and block buyers. We ended
up opening four more shows to accommodate the demand coming from these groups,
which is interestingly a pretty good mix of both Filipino and foreign investors, including a
Swiss block buyer" said Gemora.
"West Side Story" was first staged in Manila back in 1982 with Audie as Riff and Menchu as
Maria. This Manila re-staging will precede a Broadway revival in 2009.
"West Side Story" is one of the best musicals of all time with music by Leonard Bernstein,
and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is a beautiful, dramatic dance musical with many show-stopping numbers and immortal songs like "Somewhere," "Tonight," "One Hand One
Heart," "America," and "Something's Coming."
STAGES' production of "West Side Story" is its third major musical production after "Footloose" in 2005 and "High School Musical On Stage" in 2007. "West Side Story" will
run from September to October 2008 at the Meralco Theater.
Tickets are now sold at Ticketworld 891-9999 and www.ticketworld.com.ph. Call Stages
at 818-1111 loc. 225 to direct your queries to fundraising groups, and block buyers.
Ticket prices range from PhP 500 to 1,200.
STAGES' production of "West Side Story" is presented through special arrangement with
Music Theatre International (MTI) in New York.
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Schedule:
October 2008
Venue:
Meralco Theater
Buy ticket:
TicketWorld |
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