CARRIE: Pure White Turns Blood Red Behind a Wallflowers' Wall

Just because you see one side, doesn't make it all that there is. A horror novel upfront, a strong moral hidden within the story. Life lessons painted with blood and terror, Carrie's solid plot tackles extreme bullying in high school and how it's not as simple as child's play. Blood is leaking on Carrie's walls, will you look pass it and see her as she is?

It's not "damn toad, and spastic, and weirdo, and dumb b*tch." Her name is Carrie White. Tormented by her peers due to her peculiar ways while being abused by her mother, Carrie had to endure physical and mental pain both in school and at home. She's the center of attention in a way no one would want to be. Living most of her life in the closet, she learned how to hide and live with her skeletons. A lonely soul within, Carrie White suffers in silence until she finally breaks down at prom. 

Mikkie Bradshaw is Carrie White! After years of taking in supporting roles, Mikkie's hard work finally paid off as she takes the center stage! But unlike her character, all eyes are on her in a positive way. Portraying Carrie as a girl with enough innocence and desire for acceptance while being gradually led to insanity when everything she does backfires. She balances out Carrie's intense hatred and want to be loved by others. She's in the middle of a seesaw, slowly being pushed to one side, when one pull could change her (and everyone else's) fate forever. A polar opposite to Mikkie's real personality, she'll push when pushed and knows how to stand up for her rights.

Like mother, like daughter. As they say, sometimes you don't have to look further to see the younger you again. Nor should you ask why your daughter behaves the way she does. They sometimes act the same way, dress alike, they can both sew clothes... and then kill each other in the end. Yet despite all that, they strangely love one another more than anyone could. In Margaret's song, When There's No One she sings "I gave you life, I can take it away!" and was determined to 'sacrifice' her daughter, yet still hesitates as she continues "But when I am all alone, will I cry 'Carrie'? Oh, my Carrie. Who will hold me when there's no one?" 

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo plays the Christian Margaret White, a religious woman with a twisted understanding of salvation. A pastor once said, good deeds come out when you are a real Christian. It does not increase or decrease our value, because in the eyes of God we are already valuable. In Margaret’s case, she prays in hope of being saved, when we should be praying out of love. Menchu says she is nothing like Margaret which made the role rather challenging. So far, this is her darkest role yet which will be balanced out once she plays the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella this October. 

A jock's physique, a poet at heart. Tommy Ross may have a toned body, but he has a soft spot for poetry. In his poem, A Dreamer in Disguise, he subtly shows his true self in front of the class. "There's more to me than I reveal. And cause I shine in quiet ways, I'm someone you don't recognize." Although a part of the popular crowd, Tommy's real personality only shows through his poems... and Sue Snell.

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Markki Stroem gives life to Tommy Ross! A PGT contestant, singer-songwriter, actor, producer, director and a graduate of Hospitality and Marketing Management with honors in the Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland. Who would have thought that Markki Stroem also experienced bullying during his high school days? Unlike Tommy, Markki was an upfront nerd with star quality deep inside him. He's also multilingual and can converse in English, Tagalog, German, Spanish, French and Norwegian. Now an owner of a production company, he works behind the scenes and in the spotlight! Markki is one of the best examples to never let bullies get the best of you. 

Together with Yanah Laurel as Sue Snell, the on-stage couple embarks on a journey of self discovery and becomes pivotal characters in Carrie's life. They only want what's best for everyone, but their good intentions turned for the worst. They were just kids, trying to do their best. 

Directed by Bobby Garcia, Carrie's powerhouse cast, innovative set design and dramatic lighting makes this musical by Atlantis Production another resounding success!

The cast also includes Shiela Valderrama-Martinez (Ms. Gardener), Garie Concepcion (Mean Girl Helen) and Jill Peña (Chris Hargensen) with the former building her confidence, Helen destroying it, while the latter ultimately crushes her and herself in return. 

They all had the same dream but had different ways to attain it. Whether right or wrong, they took what they thought was what they deserve. Carrie, like everyone else, only wanted to live with an identity, to stop being in the background and start standing out (even just one bit). But instead of helping Carrie breakthrough her already broken walls, Thomas Ewen High School pushed her to the limit and turned White... Blood Red.

As pig blood falls down Carrie's prom dress, blood also starts to fill the entire room at prom. If she couldn't be one of them, she made them live the same fate. She's the wallflower that kicked the bucket out of her head to those who laughed at her misery. Blood flowing from pure Carrie's wounds painted those around her the same way they stained her. She was just another teenager seeking recognition, trying to find where she could fit in. If only they had listened to Carrie White's story. If only.

Carrie will resume its run on September 27 at the RCBC Theater! Get your tickets now at all TicketWorld outlets! Or call 891-9999 to reserve your seats! This is another musical you don't want to miss!

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NOTE: K-La Rivera will be playing CARRIE starting September 27. Mikkie Bradshow will be back during CARRIE's last show week.

PIAF's Press Launch

TicketWorld was luckily invited to PIAF’s press launch last February 26 at Sir Boy’s Food Republique where we got to meet Sandino Martin, Ima Castro, Giselle Tongi-Walters and Pinky Amador.

25 years ago, Pinky Amador got to play a small role when Repertory Philippines staged Piaf. Pinky fell in love with the story of Edith Gassion, known as PIAF, and since then she have dreamt of doing the role. She mentioned that what we’ll see is the version of Pat Gems, shorter but more intense, more precise and has more music. It’s only 90 minutes long with 10 actors, playing up to 4 characters each.

We asked her how has she adjusted since the last time we saw her in Sound of Music and now Piaf. She said it requires a lot of research that she had to go to France to visit Piaf’s museum, learn French for the 4th time, talk to the people who knows Piaf, understand in-depth the character and she even went to Piaf’s grave to ask for permission & guidance in the doing the role. Pinky had to execute all the ups and downs of Piaf from career to love life to being manic, chaotic and obsessive which is not an easy role, as she admits, especially with the compressed version that they’re doing. She treats this dream role as a challenge especially now that she's celebrating her 30th year in the business.

Leaving all the showbiz questions with other reporters, we discussed a theatre related one. Pinky mentioned that theatre is little by little improving in terms of ticket sales and growing audience, I asked her then how we could make the youth be more involved and interested to watch theatre specially something as deep as Piaf. Pinky explained that for people to be involved in theatre, one must really have proper education with theatre acting, submerge themselves into the theatre world and lastly, expect a lot of sacrifices in social life and all other things. In spite of all those sacrifices, she assured that the fulfillment is just incomparable. Aside from that, Pinky points out experience as a huge factor for people to appreciate theatre. Comparing it to movies and television shows, she said theatre is a different world that could also inspire people and make them relate to such stories. She hopes that people would get to experience theatre and that our country would have more of these, not just international shows but local shows as well.

Another one who we got to interview is a Filipino-American actress, host, former MTV VJ, model, radio personality and now making her debut as a theatre actor, Giselle “G” Tongi-Walters. She’ll be playing the role of Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf’s friend who is known to be one of the first women in the 30’s to be openly bisexual. She is also known to be one of the first to wear trousers, which is a big issue back then. Such an interesting role that we all should watch!

We were lucky enough to hear a sample from the cast too!

“From the streets of Paris to worldwide fame, Edith Gassion (known as ‘PIAF’, the sparrow) continues to be remembered and revered for her exceptional voice and extraordinary life.

In this new version of PIAF, which premiered at London’s Donmar Warehouse in 2008 before transferring to the West End. Pam Gems has reworked her classic 1978 play, vivily capturing the glamour and squalor, the rise and fall of this complex, fragile and enigmatic performer.

Featuring over 25 of Edith Piaf’s most famous songs including La Vie en Rose, Autumn Leaves, Hymn a I’amour and the iconic Non, je ne regretted tiene, PIAF brings back to the stage one of the country’s finest stage actresses, Pinky Amador.”

PIAF is directed by Bobby Garcia, who marks 20 years of directing this year, and produced by Atlantis Productions. For tickets, log in to our website at www.ticketworld.com.ph or call us at 8919999.

Disney's ALADDIN - The New Stage Musical

From November 16 to December 9, 2012
Meralco Theater

Ticket Information:
Get your tickets online at www.ticketworld.com.ph
and at all TicketWorld Outlets.