Rock of Ages – Something to Look Forward in 2012

Click here for the Trailer

I’ve been wanting to see this broadway musical eversince I saw snippets of it being performed in Tony Awards. Finally I get to see it in big screen with Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta Jones. Definitely something to look forward to in 2012.

Jellicle Night

This is a super late post, I really got busy these past few weeks and I assume that’s it’s gonna be this busy until the semester ends. Anyway, I finally got to watch CATS the musical! It was dream-like to see the the entire show live.

the following photos are taken from Mr. O’s camera. Pasaway as ever.

 

I got introduced to the musical by Mr. O, we were just acquantaince back then, I dated his ex-bf, so he sort of hated me then pero crush niya na rin at the same time. One of my best friend in college did their make-up, I would always tag along so I could watch them rehearse.

The Australian production was really good, being my only peg for comparison is the DVD version, though I felt the energy more on the video.

One of the amazing thing is that the CATS really mingled with the audience, Bombalurina, one of my favorite CATS, even posed for a photo.

The stage design is really authentic, parang yung nasa video lang, syempre there were some Pinoy touches like the parol and the Surf box.

Papaawat ba ko, kahit sinasaway na kami nung usher… pa-picture talaga!

It’s also my first time to see Lea Salonga perform…

Here she is as her character, Grizabella goes up up up the Russel Hotel…

Nothing really beats seeing all the CATS on stage, my favorites on that night were Rum Tum Tugger, Munkustrapp, Victoria, Bombalurina and Mr. Mistofellees.

Look at Lea Salonga… Pa-Grizabella much? hehehe!

We were with Mr. O’s Kapusas nung college, mga classmates niya at kasama niya nung ginawa nila ang CATS. It was nice seeing them.

And of course, ang pinaka-best talaga that night was seeing it with Mr. O, after all, sa CATS din kami nagkakilala.

Till next, Meooww!

Legally Blonde Finally!

Finally saw the Philippine production of Legally Blonde the musical, I was a bit hesitant at first in seeing the show since I practically memorized the MTV production of the musical baka kasi it would fail in comparison. Well, it did’nt, I so love Atlantis Production’s take on it, very refreshing!

The show was actually late for almost an hour, I kinda anticipated that since when I left the house (Bulacan), Nikki Gil was still on ASAP, I was silently praying na sana hindi yung understudy ang mag-play kay Elle Woods.

I was with Mr. O and his officemates, our seat were the best, right in front of the stage fifth row from the front which I guess is better than the front row since were actually leveled with the stage.

Taken while we were going down to our seats. pasimpleng shot, the stage design was really amazing, though not as elaborate as the one in the Broadway production, it was ingenious, ang cute nung mga chairs na books.

The cast was fantastic as well, Nikki Gil is so lovable, Geneva Cruz had her moments in Whipped Into Shape, the Greek Chorus deserves a standing ovation, Nyoy Volante is a disappointment, Cris Villonco is lovable as well even if she plays Vivien and Jett Pangan is sexy!

Mr. O made some pasimple shots using his phone while they perform the “Legally Blonde Reprise”. Ang cute talaga nung stage design!

I want to make saway Mr. O while he was taking the pictures kaya lang naisip ko, I need photos for my blog. hehehe!

It was nice seeing the musical on it’s last day, the cast have really mastered their roles and are already experimenting with other attacks on their delivery, we got the best seat in the house since we booked the tickets like a couple of months ago and of course the celebrity sightings since it’s the last day.

Till next one! ( Meeoow! )

Emir: Surprisingly Terrific

I was blown away by Emir. I was actually expecting a “failed attempt” musical film but from the very start until the movie ended, Emir stood it’s ground as a world-class film.

Never mind that it has a loose plot, that the story wasn’t developed to it’s fullest potential, Emir managed to break out of the usual “cheesiness” musical usually get stuck with if poorly executed. The production design is flawless, as I’ve heard, the film costs 30 million pesos and you can clearly tell that the budget was maximized, the costume looks authentic and set designs are done tastefully.

 The story revolves around a young Ilokana girl is forced by poverty to seek employment abroad. She lands in the home of an influential sheik in an Arab emirate, where she is given the honor of being the nanny of the Sheik’s only male child. Away from her family and home, she begins to build a new life in this foreign land, finding new family in the people around her.

One of the reason I fell in love with Emir is it’s music, it’s richly pinoy, no attempt to make it sound foreign or pop, the melody of each song is soaring with either energy or melancholia which ever is needed. The love theme song, the song about the moon and the mayordoma’s exit song are some highlights with the best melody and lyrics combined, the happy song such as the “bawal ang tamad”, isang dosenang pasko and international yaya are brimming with energy, Lyrically, the songs were magnified by the rich play on the Filipino language, Tagalog and other dialects, the words of the songs were mesmerizing and nostalgic at the same time. Besides the great songs, the script is luminous with taunting one-liners, short and snappy but it carries the weight of the emotions it has to tell.

The cast is what makes this film perfect. Farr is a revelation in this film, the girl can really act and she managed to pull off aging effortlessly. Dulce as the mayordoma steals several numbers from the entire cast. Kalila Aguilos is as always great, given a meatier role this time and a chance to display her vocal prowess, the moon scene is superbly haunting because of her. Clarete, Salviejo, Dujunco and Batucan, is not to be missed as well, giving their best perfomance yet to date.

Here’s a sample of one of their song with the cast…

Dulce and Farr sings one of the films finest number…

Notable scenes are; The moon scene, The “Kayod ng Kayod scene, Dulce’s Exit, the love song scene and the war scene. Winner ang execution ni Rono!

Here’s the full trailer of Emir…

Simply put, Emir is a film that can’t be missed, It’s a rich quilt of the Filipino culture, tradition, values, struggles and victories, a film that made me proud that I’m a Filipino. Kudos to Rono and his cast and team, You guys made history!

As I Am: The Big Gay Musical

Teardrops. Really. Tama si God dito.

The song speaks of my religion. As I am.

I want the OST and the whole video. Please!

Putting It Together is Lovely!

i was able to watch “Putting it Together”, it’s a musical revue of Stephen Sondheim memorable songs, there’s a bit of a plot but what’s great is the performances. Carol Burnett, George Hearn, Ruthie Henshall, Bronson Pinchot and John Barrowman were the wonderful and fabulous cast.

The songs is enthralling as usual since it is a Sondheim creation. some songs were “saksak puso, tulo ang dugo” type. As in! nakakaiyak! tipong gusto mo mag-moment.

Here’s a sample…

Carol Burnett and Ruthie Henshall’s “Every Day A Little Death”

Every day a little death
In the parlor, in the bed
In the curtians, in the silver
In the buttons, in the bread
Every day a little sting
In the heart and in the head
Every move and every breath
And you hardly feel a thing
Brings a perfect little death

He smiles sweetly
Strokes my hair
Says he misses me
I would murder him right there
But first I die
He talks softly of his wars
And his horses
And his whores
I think loves a dirty buissness

I’m before him on my knees
And he kisses me
He assumes I’ll loose my reason
And I do
Men are stupid
Men are vain
Love’s disgusting
Love’s insane
A humiliating business

Every day a little death
In the parlor, in the bed
In the looks and in the acts
In the curtains, in the silver
In the buttons, in the bread
In the murmurs, in the gestures
In the pauses, in the sighs

Every day a little sting
Every day a little dies
In the heart and in the head
In the looks and in the lies

Every move and every breath
And you hardly feel a thing
Brings a perfect little…
Death

Well, other songs were ka-inlove naman, lalo na pag si John Barrowman na yung kumanta, parang gusto mong ikaw yung ka-duet. Sample uli…

John Barrowman and Ruthie Henshall’s “Unworthy of Your Love”

 I am nothing,
You are wind and water and sky,
How I can earn you love.
I would swim oceans,
I would move mountains,
I would do anything for you.
What do you want me to do?

I am unworthy of your love,
Darling, darling
Let me prove worthy of you love.
Tell me how I can earn your love,
Ste me free.
How can I turn your love
To me?

I am nothing,
You are wind and devil and God,
Charlie, Take my blood and my body
For your love.
Let me feel fire,
Let me drink poison,
Tell me to tear my heart in two,
If that’s what you want me to do…

I am unworthy of you love,
Charlie darlin’,
I have done nothing for your love.
Let me be worthy of your love,
Set me free-

I would come take you from you life…
I would some take you from your cell…
You would be queen to me, not wife…
I would crawl belly deep through hell…
Baby, I’d die for you…

Even though-
I will always know:
I am unworthy of
Your love,
Charlie darlin’,

Let me worthy of your love.
I’ll find a way to earn your love,
Wait and see.
Then you will turn your love to me,
Your love to me…

o diba!  Aylaaveeet much!

Here’s some more notable performances..

Carol Burnett and Ruthie Henshall’s “There’s Always A Woman”

(Not) Getting Married Today – Carol Burnett – Company

They are so funny, specially Burnett! Sondheim is a genius, ang galing ng lyrics nya, funny, sarcastic, satirical and witty!

Some more….

This one made me cry… like hell, YES!

Being Alive- The Company

Aminin… Sila nga naiyak rin e.

This one naman made me laugh. hysterically laughing. ( =

Bloopers kung bloopers! Burnett, bless your funny heart.. You’re a Diva to me.

Thanks Mr. O for insisting I watch this last night.

Andrew Lloyd Webber!

Yippeee! I got the Andrew Lloyd Webber Boxset!

Ang tagal rin naming hinanap ni Mr. O itong boxset na to, We saw it before but never bought it thinking it’s price would eventually get lower after the Christmas season. After nun, hindi na namin makita, lahat na ng mall nalibot namin pero laging siyang out of stock, limited stock lang daw kasi ang ni-release.

Mr. O and I gave up the search already but just tonight after having dinner with Mudra, I whiled some moments inside Astroplus habang si Mudra ay namimili ng mga good luck charms. Ayun sya, nakalagay sa “Items On Sale” bin… para talagang nagpapabili sa presyo nya, which is like 70% off from it’s original price when we saw it last December. Best deal talaga for a hard to find item.

It contains some of my favorite musicals, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat..

of course… it also comes with the Andrew Lloyd Webber Celebration Concert which is really hard to find now… Winner ang mga productions sa concert na ito at syempre bigatin ang mga nag perform ng mga memorable songs niya from his musicals.

Yippeee! Nuod na ako!

An Invite to The Jellicle Ball

Mr. O got us tickets to CATS!!

This musical plays a huge part in our story, he was doing a college production of CATS when he decided to court me (yes! he did court me!). I would always be present either in the dressing room since my friend, Ianne does their make up or I would be at the audience since I always get free tickets. I realized how much he liked me then when he gave me an exclusive CATS shirt, even Ianne doesn’t have one considering he’s part of the production.

After seven years, after getting addicted to new and old broadway classics like Wicked, Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia, Chicago, Next to Normal, Rent, Avenue Q and a lot more, we’d be going back to CATS, the one that got us together. I’m excited to see the cats, the choreography, hear the songs again…it’s a date already on August 1 2010.

P.S.

Excited as hell to see Lea Salonga on stage as Grizabella too!

Wicked-I’m Not That Girl

I just read a friend’s blog and her latest entry reminded me of this song, it’s from the musical Wicked, it’s sung by Elphaba. Wicked is a story of the unlikely friendship of the Wicked Witch of the West which is Elphaba and the Glinda the Good. Yes, the characters are from the Wizard of Oz and the story happened before Dorothy came into the picture.

Elphaba sung the song after she realized that she might be falling for Fiyero,Glinda’s boyfriend. Elphaba being the most unpopular student in the school because of her weird appearance know that she doesn’t stand a chance to Fiyero’s affection especially that his girlfriend is the most beautiful and most popular in the university.

Elphaba singing I’m not that girl.

I’m Not That Girl

Hands touch, eyes meet
Sudden silence, sudden heat
Hearts leap in a giddy whirl
He could be that boy
But I’m not that girl:

Don’t dream too far
Don’t lose sight of who you are
Don’t remember that rush of joy
He could be that boy
I’m not that girl

Ev’ry so often we long to steal
To the land of what-might-have-been
But that doesn’t soften the ache we feel
When reality sets back in

Blithe smile, lithe limb
She who’s winsome, she wins him
Gold hair with a gentle curl
That’s the girl he chose
And Heaven knows
I’m not that girl:

Don’t wish, don’t start
Wishing only wounds the heart
I wasn’t born for the rose and the pearl
There’s a girl I know
He loves her so
I’m not that girl

Kristin Chenoweth’s “My New Philosophy”

I’ve always adored Kristin Chenoweth ever since I saw her as Glinda on Wicked the musical, she have impeccable comedic timing and of course that VOICE!!!

Well, long before Wicked, she played Sally Brown on the Tony winning musical, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, in which she won a Tony for Best Featured Actress and I must say she really deserved it… she’s freaking hilarious!

Here’s a clip from her Tony Award Performance “My New Philosophy”

Enjoy!