Repertory Philippines brings you THE PRODUCERS

"THE PRODUCERS,” THE FUNNIEST MUSICAL IN THE UNIVERSE,

FINALLY OPENS ON NOV. 15

In celebration of its 46th year, Repertory Philippines proudly announces its last production for its 76th theater season with THE PRODUCERS, the biggest hit in Broadway history.

Set to open on November 15  at 8 p.m. at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati, THE PRODUCERS, based on the 1968 Mel Brooks movie of the same name, was written by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with songs arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman.

With an unprecedented, record-breaking 12 Tony Awards, the story of THE PRODUCERS concerns two theatrical producers, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, who hatch a scam to stage the worst Broadway musical they can find, so that they can get rich from investors and then pocket the money when the show flops. After finding the script “Springtime for Hitler” by crazed Nazi playwright Franz Liebkind, they bring on board Roger DeBris, Carmen Ghia as well as their sexpot secretary, Ulla. Their scheme falls apart, however, when “Springtime for Hitler” becomes a smash hit instead.

The humor of the show draws on ridiculous accents, homosexual stereotypes, and Nazis, along with many show business in-jokes. It is a satirical comedy that can be appreciated by both insiders and outsiders of the theatre industry.

The original Broadway production, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, opened at the St. James Theatre on April 19, 2001 and ran for 2,502 performances. It spawned a successful London production running for just over two years, US national tours, many productions worldwide, and a 2005 film version.     

THE CAST

            Directed by Jaime del Mundo, the Manila premier of THE PRODUCERS features top caliber actors CARLO OROSA and ROBIE ZIALCITA alternating as Max Bialystock, the beleaguered producer facing bankruptcy, who woos little old ladies into backing his shows.

Robie Zialcita as Max

Carlo Oroza as Max

           

TOPPER FABREGAS takes on the role of Leopold “Leo” Bloom, a cowardly and infantile hapless accountant who first has the idea to produce a flop on purpose.

Media icon G TÖNGI will tackle the role of Ulla, a blonde Swedish bombshell who auditions for the show and becomes Max and Leo’s secretary/receptionist.

Actor-director JOEL TRINIDAD plays Franz Liebkind, a former Nazi whose play is chosen by Max and Leo as a definite flop.

Stage and screen veteran NOEL TRINIDAD (Joel’s father) takes on the role of Roger De Bris, the flamboyant  homosexual cross-dresser chosen to direct the show. He will be alternating with role of Roger with one of the icons of Philippine musical theater AUDIE GEMORA.

Versatile actor NOEL RAYOS will take the role of Carmen Ghia, Roger’s  “common law assistant.”

The ensemble is composed of  Nelsito Gomez, Steven Conde, Tristan Cheng, Jay Pangilinan, Chino Veguillas, Leroy de Guzman, Natalie Everett, Daff Abear, Liesl Batucan, Micaela Pineda, Shalee Vicencio, and Gemini Quintos.

           

Co-presented by the City of Makati, THE PRODUCERS is full of irreverent humor, silly gags, outlandish characters, and, of course, show-stopping musical numbers.

All performances are at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legazpi St., Makati City.

           

The artistic and creative team of  THE PRODUCERS is led by Baby Barredo (Artistic Director), Jaime del Mundo (Director), Onyl Torres (Musical Director), Mio Infante (Set Designer), Natalie Everett (Choreographer), and John Batalla (Lighting Designer).

The production staff is composed of Gidget Tolentino (Production Manager), Goldie T. Soon (Stage Manager), Pol Roxas (Sound Technician), Pablito Salvador (Lighting Technician) and Adul Lasin (Set Execution and Scenic Artist).

The marketing, sales and publicity team is led by David Bianco (Marketing Director), Toots Tolentino (PR Director), Oliver Usison (Marketing Assistant),  Marie Talay (Cashier),  Rose Silva (Sales Supervisor), John Alaras (Design Director), Jojo Mamangun (Photographer), and Lightshapers/ Repertory Philippines (Video Production).

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You can now buy your tickets at www.repertoryphilippines.com!

See you at the theater!

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!

Photos © /1/2/3/

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

Wicked: The Popular musical is Defying Gravity in just One Short Day!

“Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true.” 

I Hope You're Happy ... Filipino Broadway fans! As your dreams will finally come true! The award winning musical - Wicked - will be flying to Manila this January 22 to February 9! The long awaited performance will be seen on stage at the CCP Main Theater as they give you one magical night to remember!

© Photo of the Australian Touring Production

Wicked tells the story of the two witches - Glinda the Good and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, waaaaaay before Dorothy came into the picture. Their unusual friendship, their true nature and the secrets behind Oz that has never been told before will all be revealed in this spellbinding musical.

© Maye Wong

Glinda is an epitome of beauty and well, popularity. As Elphaba describes her in the song I'm Not That Girl - ♪ Blithe smile, lithe limb. She who's winsome, she wins him. Gold hair with a gentle curl. - the kind of girl that Elphaba thinks she will never be. Talking about herself in the song Popular - ♪ Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I (And let's face it - who isn't less fortunate than I?) - although a bit (or maybe not just a bit) vain, Glinda is naive yet ambitious. She not only dreams for herself, but also for Elphie (Elphaba) whom she considers her best friend. 

Suzie Mathers will be playing Glinda in their Philippine Tour. Starting with a commerce degree at the University of Western Australia, she wasn't really the type to dance around school. Suzie was more of a math, numbers and equations kind of girl. A polar opposite of Glinda who is portrayed as a (as Elphie says) blonde. Although a natural born mathematician, she still followed her love for singing and auditioned for a musical where she eventually got a role. Her journey started there and now she's a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts with a BA in Musical Theatre.

© Jeff Busby

Elphaba has exceptional talent with brains to match her skills. She's aggressive in the inside but dresses and acts more conservatively on the outside. Unlike Glinda who has a more outgoing personality yet would rather stay in the safe zone, Elphaba seeks freedom and independence. The sky is where her heart is and she's determined to pursue her dreams like the way she sings in Defying Gravity - ♪ Everyone deserves to fly! Nobody.... is ever gonna bring me down! Although she has a soft spot, especially for animals, she is often misunderstood. Being peculiar, her green color led her to face the harsh realities of life at such a young age. As she sings No Good Deed - ♪ One more disaster I can add to my generous supply. Sure, I meant well - Well, look at what well-meant did. She talks about the hardships she had to endure with the people surrounding her... at this rate, who is the real wicked one?

Jemma Rix gives life to Elphaba the Wicked Witch. A beautician during the day, a theater actress throughout her free time. Jemma Rix could probably give Glinda beauty tips during her makeover stint in the song Popular. Although she doesn't have formal training in acting, she has experience in being the lead singer of a pop band and also does plays in small theaters. She believes that if you work hard, miracles can happen. It has already happened to her and is still happening!

© Andrew Ritchie

Wicked's Elphaba and Glinda are said to be sought-after roles of Broadway actresses. And these two are certainly living their dreams! Two characters with strong contradicting personalities, two actresses that can relate to these characters, yet maybe in a different way. 

Suzie is smart like Elphaba, while Jemma can paint with make up brushes just like Glinda. Yet despite the contradiction, their roles still fit them perfectly. And their chemistry as best friends forever is truly undeniable. Just look how cute and sweet they look together!

Two unlikely people forms an unlikely friendship in a world full of mysteries and wonders.

Why is the lion a coward? How did the Tin Man lost his heart? And what is the story behind the Scarecrow's crucifixion? Wicked let's you see Oz in a different light. The eye catching effects, the heartwarming songs, the carefully plotted story and the amazing cast will all make you feel like students of Shiz University or even like a citizen of Emerald City! 

During the Press Launch last August 14, the venue emulated the spectacular set in the musical. Green lights, broomsticks, smoking drinks and just about everything that makes Wicked wicked. It was one of the grandest press launches I've ever seen. 

Coming to Manila, the talented musical director David Young plays the piano, Suzie Mathers sings Popular and Jemma Rix sings Defying Gravity with surprising green confetti filling the stage as she belts out the high notes.

The two then sings For Good and finally proceeds with a photo-op and an interview. 

Brought to you by Lunch Box Theatrical Productions, with it's CEO - James Cundall - as one of the lead producers, Wicked is a record-breaking production that exceeded TicketWorld's expectations. And will probably surpass the audience's as well!

With Grammy's, Tony's, numerous awards and still running 9 years after its first show -Wicked proves that their magic has not faded, together with morals that will forever remain in the hearts of those who watched it.

Wicked will be showing this January 2014 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Tickets of the highly anticipated musical is now available at all TicketWorld outlets nationwide! You can also reserve online, purchase from your mobile phones or call us at 891 - 9999! Hurry! Because Wicked's popularity defied gravity by selling about 5,000 tickets in just One Short Day on the first day of selling! :) You wouldn't want to miss out. :)

Photos: As Credited /1/2/

HOW TO MAKE THE NEW YORK TIMES!

 

How do you make the headlines of the New York Times? According to Rep's NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY you have two options.

Option A: Become a world-renowned Broadway super star.

Option B: Turn into a multiple personality serial killer.

Tough choice, huh?

In the Musical, Christopher Gill, played by director Audie Gemora, unable to make Option A - which was undeniably accomplished by his late mother, opts for the second option. Gill goes on a killing spree dressed in various costumes, putting on different accents - trying to prove to the ghost of his late mother that he is just as capable of being an actor as she was. He wanders around Brooklyn and New York preying on women who seem to fit a similar profile.All his victims subconsciously remind him of his mother. His mother is played by Pinky Marquez Cancio, who also plays all the murder victims. Adding to this Freudian plot is Morris Brummel, played by another theater veteran, Joel Trinidad (writer of "Rivalry: The Lasalle-Ateneo Musical. Read our write up here). Brummel is a New York detective still living with his hypochondriac mother and trying to make his big break by cracking the case of the year. Mrs. Brummel, portrayed by the wonderful Sheila Francisco, provides most of the laughs in the show, (she reminds us of Renee Taylor in "The Nanny" - you know, Fran Fine's mother.) with her very Jewish, very New York typa additude, and some interesting ways of showing her love for her son.

And of course, a musical is not a musical with out a leading lady. Sarah Stone, played by the beautiful Carla Guevarra-Lafroteza, is a wealthy art dealer who develops a soft spot for the detective but finds herself competing with the killer for Brummel's attention.

 Despite the violent plot, the play is a hilarious mixture of Mamma's boys and murder. We caught the show with a large group of students from FEU, so the theater was not sparse of laughter and applause - not to mention various pitches of screaming during almost kissing scenes (filipino audiences love a good tease ;) ).

GO SEE IT! You won't regret it! 

The talented cast of NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY

Repertory Philippines has come up with an amazing season so far! After BOEING BOEING (read our article here)., NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY is definitely another fun show! Watch out for the rest of their season coming up! 

YUMMY TREAT!

 

If you want to grab something to eat or drink after the show, just present your NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY ticket at Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar, and you get 15% discount! Chihuahua is located just in Greenbelt 2, around the corner from the theater!

 . . . 

ON A SIDE NOTE:

Just as the Sunday Matinee show ended, we walked out into a very crowded theater lobby, Rep was holding their auditions for ALICE AND WONDERLAND and THE PRODUCERS. That evening, Repertory Philippines had record breaking attendance for the season and we are over the moon on the amount of enthusiasm theater has been met with! Way to go, thespians! :)

ANOTHER SIDE NOTE:

 

 If you didn't hear about the auditions on time, or have watched the shows and you want to get involved, Repertory Philippines also has a Summer Workshop that is currently open for enrollment!

For more information on Repertory Philippines, their shows, summer workshop and season tickets check out their website 

at www.repertory.ph 

or give them a call at  

571-6926 or 571-4941, 

(fax) 576-3022

OF COURSE for tickets, what do you know, there's TicketWorld! Check out our website for event details, or give us a call!