IN RANDOM VIEWS of a city-bred and a promdi.

From L-R: Nyoy Volante, Tim Espinosa, Monica Reynoso,
Madel Ching, Dulce, & Menchu Lauchengco
source: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2008/11/hairspraymanila.html

I have lost the habit of writing my thoughts on a play or movie  immediately after seeing it.  I hope it is not too late to share my thoughts though to those of you who plan to see this musical.

I recently watched Hairspray in Star Theatre last Nov. 21, 2008, front row seats.  I am a little disappointed that the venue of the play - a colorful musical and a tony award winner has to be in Star Theatre.  It was a friday, so I left QC 2 hours before the show started at 8pm.  On the way I fetched my friend Tin at Starbucks at 6750, Makati.  But still, we were around 20-25 minutes LATE.  I arrived towards the end of Scene 3 of Act 1.  I have never been late for a play except for Death and the Maiden due to inevitable circumstances.  But for leaving my QC home 2 hours before the show?!? - I purposely left early to be there on time but I was still late.  Partly because we still had to look for Star theatre which is hidden behind Aliw Theatre.  The theatre doesn’t have a big signage other than not being very well-known.  One thing that I learned from that experience, I must always always bring a map especially if the show where you are going has a definite time to start.

I also made a huge mistake buying front row center tickets.  Actually, it was unfair that they priced the front seats P1200++ which is the most expensive because from where we are seated our view is partly blocked by some huge rectangular black objects placed on top of the stage (which is either for the lights or speakers).  We weren’t able to see the entire bed where Penny Pingleton (Tracy’s bestfriend) was being tied up.  Our view resembled a movie screen with a huge black rectangular shadow at the bottom.

I hope people from Atlantis could take a look into this.  Infact I deserve a reimbursement  of my money or atleast return a fraction thereof for what happened.

The view above the rectangular shadow however was far from disappointment. Actors are good.  Spectacular I must say.  Madel Ching is perfect for the role of Tracy Turnblad.  I commend everything about her especially the acting.  She is a replica of the Tracy Turnblad of the movie and broadway which surprised me for a new discovery like her and made her professional theatrical debut in this musical.

Menchu Lauchengco gave the best performance of the night -  Pang-international level (acting with right timing, good singing).  Nyoy Volante was good, especially with the moves.  He portrayed Seaweed Stubbs, a black who dances.  I thought he won’t pull it off because I have watched him live in his shows and never saw him do a moonwalk which he repeatedly did for this role.

I also noticed unfamiliar faces on stage whose performances I like.  Monica Reynoso as Tracy’s bestfriend Precy was funny and gave good acting.  I like her a lot.

The Dynamites (From L-R: Erika Cedilla,

Mayen Bustamante & Emerita Alcid)
source: http://meldanyan.multiply.com/photos/album/87#1

Another girl who I also like is Emerita Alcid, one of the Dynamites in orange dress.  She has the prettiest face and her singing voice in a chorus always stood above others.  I already noticed her in West Side Story and I find her  better-suited in a major role than merely a part of the ensemble or dancers. Infact I find her more fit as the villainess bitchy Amber Von Tussle, than the actor who portrayed it who should have been prettier and bitchier.

Michael De Mesa
source: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2008/11/hairspraymanila.html

Moreover, Michael de Mesa is far from John Travolta’s performance as Mrs. Turnblad.  I heard it is the most difficult role he had taken so far because of the dancing and the physical challenge to act as if he has the real huge weight.  However when I watched him, the dancing and physical weight weren’t a problem but the feminine acting and good singing that he lacked.  Parang mas babae pa si Chris Millado sa kanya when the former essayed the role of Rocky in Rocky Horror Show.  Parang mas mag-eenjoy ako siguro kong ibang actor portrayed Mrs. Turnblad.  What I want to drive at is that  Micheal de Mesa is overrated as a stage actor.  There are a lot of other actors who could do better in the roles he has performed on stage.

Ofcourse, I won’t miss mentioning Malen Bustamante-Cadd as one of the Dynamites and my former theatre workshop teacher who was sexy and pretty as a Dynamite dancer.  Keep it up Mayen!

So that’s about it.  This is what I can say about Hairspray, Manila.

I hope you enjoy and get good seats if you do watch it.
**********
Showdates:
Star Theater - Nov. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 & Dec. 5, 6, 7, 2008
Ticket Prices:
Php 1236.00
Php 1030.00
Php 824.00
Php 618.00

Call Ticketworld: (+63 2) 891-9999
Email:tickets@ticketworld.com.ph
Fax: (+63 2) 891-5634
Hotlines: GLOBE +63-916-340-3919
SMART +63-0921-564-2108

Call Atlantis Productions: 892-7078/ 840-1187

You may also buy directly from these people:

Nov. 28, 2008 Fri 8:00pm | Andrea Go +63917-8867968 email: andreanicoleuygo@gmail.com

Nov. 29, 2008 Sat 2:00pm | Theody Demaisip +63920-9326067 email: tdemaisip@fastmail.fm

Nov. 29, 2008 Sat 8:00pm | Joelle Ona +63920-9010863 email: jhorca@gmail.com; Anton +63917-5683627

Nov. 30, 2008 Sun 3;00pm | Jill Pena +63919-3608974 email: jill_mari@yahoo.com

Nov. 30, 2008 Sun 8;00pm | Janna Chua +63928-5024066 Roan Isberto 0918-9133793

Dec. 5, 2008 Friday 8:00pm | Ticketworld +632 891-9999

Bachelor Girl Shake & Shimmy Show
Dec. 6, 2008 Sat 2:00pm | Lorna Lopez +632 913-157 +63922-3875729 email: thebachelorgirl@gmail.com

December 6, 2008 Sat 8:00pm | Ticketworld +632 891-9999

December 7, 2008 Sun 3:00pm | Teody Demaisip +63920-9326067 email: tdemaisip@fastmail.fm

Closing Night
Dec. 7, 2008 Sun 8:00 pm | Mae Castro +63906-3414559

Last September 5, 2008, as yuppies and office corporate workers had a drinking spree at the longest bar in world history along San Miguel Ave. and Julia Vargas, Ortigas, I with my parents (seated at the front row), good friends Mr. & Mrs Pimentel (seated though at the balcony) are some of the few who had the privilege to see the opening night of the theater version of the Oscar-winning film West Side Story at the Meralco Theatre.

Before starting (a stolen shot from my phone cam)

It was a jampacked sold out show for the benefit of Kythe Foundation. I was excited to see it, and so with my dad who knows the film version pretty well; and we were with mom who as usual doesn’t have a clue on what we were about to see (Yeah, you may say I didn’t get my genetic interest in culture and arts from her).

I was excited to see it, firstly, because it is the first time that West Side Story (where popular songs such as Somewhere, Something’s Coming, Tonight, and One Hand and One Heart originate from and which I love to sing along with my multiplex or videoke in my younger years) since 1981 (when I wasn’t even born yet) is to be shown live in Philippine theater.  Secondly, because I am a big fan of Christian Bautista (good voice aside, I really love the way he looks especially more now with his wavy curly hair). Thirdly,  I have heard a lot of the greatness of Joanna Ampil, the favorite Kim of Lea Salonga and Cameron Macintosh, who came home from West End to portray the female lead Maria and who my dad was able too see portray Kim when he saw Miss Saigon for the first time in NY.

However, watching the show gave a mix of disappointments and good surprises.  Disappointments because I expected more from Christian B.  This play was fought for by Carlo Orosa, his talent manager, to push through particularly to promote Christian’s career (according to Audie G.’s article in the souvenir program) but it highlighted more on Christian’s weakness - that would be theater acting and singing.

(from L-R: Gian M, Rowena Vilar, Joanna Ampi, Christian B, Menchu, and Jeff Singson)

I have seen numerous plays since I was a kid and though I don’t claim to be a pro, I know for a fact that theater acting must be more pronounced (than film or tv acting) and singing (even speaking) voice must be loud and clear.  I hope it was his microphone that had a defect if that is how I perceived it because there were some actors who gave better, hence, more notable performances.

Joanna Ampil had the loudest, unstrained, effortless, crystal clear voice (which I expected being the West End star that she is). Her acting is impressive which is neither too much nor too less that is required of her for every scene.

I also laud Gian Macapagal as Riff whose acting and singing were more impressive than Christian’s.  I never really like him on TV but I totally had the complete opposite reaction to his performance for this play.  Though some may argue that I shouldn’t be comparing actors with different roles it is inevitable that comparison in voice and acting regardless of the roles will happen, even unconsciously, by the audience.  You would feel who caught your most attention from who didn’t - positively or negatively.  Christian’s singing voice was soft for theater, and at times not audible while Gian’s was loud, hence, clearer.  I also felt more tension (which is a good thing according to my theater workshop teachers) and expression from the latter.

Rowena Vilar as Anita

Speaking of “who caught my attention,” there are some few unfamiliar faces who also deserve much needed praise.

First and foremost, is Rowena Vilar, who portrayed Anita, the role that gave Rita Moreno an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.  We learned later from the show that no Philippine-based thespian fit the role of Anita after conducting the rigid 2-month auditions until Leo Valdez recommended this girl to Audie who is a Filipina born in Australia.  She has been active in theater, has undergone rigorous dance training and partnered with Hugh Jackman in some of his shows.   I enjoyed her performance the most in acting and dancing, and next to Joanna in singing.  She came to the country just to do this role and I hope this won’t be her last in Philippine theater.

Jordan Aguilar, as a gang member of the Jets

Other than Jake Macapagal as Bernardo who is a triple threat (triple threat which means an actor who can sing, act and dance) is Anthony Tarrosa Ong and Jordan Aguilar.  Funny, because I had no idea while watching them that among the gang members they are the two actors who are “imported.”  Ong is New Yorker while Aguilar is from Britain but both have been active in the theater field.  Ong’s performance was impressive - voice and acting (plus the dancing) while Jordan’s rendition of Baby John was adorable and impressive.

There have been talks by some like us who weren’t able to watch Karylle that she might probably be more apt as Maria than Joanna for her youthfulness and might be more suited as a partner for the young Christian as Tony.  I was intrigued by this so I checked the youtube of Karylle singing as Maria.

Her voice is good but needs more training in reaching and sustaining the high notes which is Joanna’s edge over her.  I heard though that Karylle has been very dedicated in preparing for this role so most likely she will also do good as Maria.

Karylle and Joanna alternating as Maria with Menchu as Director

This is a brave move by stages production for it is one of the most difficult musicals to render live on stage.  I applaud all the people behind the scenes for all in all, the production did very well with the set design, the music under the baton of Gerard Salonga is well executed, choreography and direction are brilliant — which all set the Philippine theater one caliber higher once again.

Sources of pictures:
Rowena Vilar: http://www.facebook.com/people/Rowena_Vilar/600919668
Cast:http://mjrodis.multiply.com/photos/album/389/West_Side_Story_Press_Con_for_Joanna_Ampil_Rowena_Vilar#32
Jordan:http://www.friendster.com/photos/37210072/1/132584404#pic=01935574916
Cast: http://guides.clickthecity.com/arts/?p=3615
Two Marias: http://gibbscadiz.blogspot.com/

Pictures from my phonecamera: http://naomicorpuz.multiply.com/photos/album/104