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).

            Facebook: www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter: www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram: www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube: www.youtube.com/repphils

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

See you at the theater!

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!  

AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT!!

REPERTORY PHILIPPINES IS AUDITIONING!

WHAT FOR:

• This season's Alice in Wonderland and The Producers

WHEN:

• March 10, Sunday 6:00 PM

WHERE:

• Onstage Theatre, Greenbelt Mall, Makati

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 1 Headshot
• 1 Full Body Shot
• Resume
• Music Score OR Minus 1

QUESTIONS?

• Call 0917 803 4237 or check out the Repertory Philippines' website at www.repertory.ph

BABY BARREDO RETURNS TO THE REP STAGE IN THE HILARIOUS REP COMEDY ‘BOEING BOEING’

Baby Barredo, co-founder and Artistic Director of Repertory Philippines, is undoubtedly one of the great pillars of Philippine Theatre. Together with the late Zeneida Amador, she built Repertory Philippines with an almost inexhaustible well of passion, persistence in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and ultimately, love.

A consummate artist, she has performed the whole gamut of quintessential and iconic female lead roles including Maria in The Sound of Music, Guinevere in Camelot, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Eva Peron in Evita, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Mrs. Anna in The King and I, Nellie Forbush and Bloody Mary in South Pacific, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers, Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Maria Callas in Master Class, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Mme. Thenardier in Les Miserables, Tess Harding in Woman of The Year, and an impressive one-woman role in Late Night Catechism-- a beloved role she shared with the late Zeneida Amador.

She has contributed immeasurably to the world-class quality of Rep productions over its 45 years of existence in her capacity as Director, Actress, Costume Designer and Musical Director.

A generous and exuberant personality, Baby Barredo never fails to share her limitless gifts with those who work with her and, indeed, is responsible for shaping and honing the talents of generations of actors and actresses who have themselves attained stardom in their own right.

Last seen onstage in A Portrait of The Artist As Filipino, Baby Barredo returns to the Rep stage as Bertha, the wacky, lovable and long-suffering housekeeper (alternating with Ms. Joy Virata) who is a chic, black-clad philosopher. A French existentialist maid who loves nothing more than to complain.  

The rest of cast include David Bianco who will essay the role of Mr. Bernard Whitford, an American architect businessman living in Paris ---  a swinging bachelor. Topper Fabregas will play the role of the unworldly Robert, Bernard’s boyhood friend, newly arrived from Wisconsin.  

Bringing to mind fantasy drawings from a vintage Esquire or  Playboy for a portfolio of international dream girls are the three fiancées: Giannina Ocampo as  Gabriella, the sentimental, lusty Italian stewardess. Carla Dunareanu as Gretchen, the hilarious, aggressive, dominating but thin-skinned German stewardess. Jen Bianco as Gloria, the Southern belle with upbeat disposition take-charge health-obsessed American stewardess.

Directed by Miguel Faustmann, BOEING BOEING runs from January 25 to February 17, 2013.

For further inquiries regarding the details of show, please call 5716926 or 5714941 or email info@repertory.ph or log on to www.repertory.ph. Tickets are also available through Ticketworld at 8919999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Visit www.repertory.ph, subscribe to youtube.com/repertoryphils, and “like” Repertory Philippines on Facebook.

            See you at the theater !!!!

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CONTRIBUTED BY MR. TOOTS TOLENTINO along with the BOEING BOEING Press kit. TWI is just happy to share the wonderful news!!!