An interview with Gloria Aray-Ko (who’s she!?!)

Tonight at the Music Museum, I am interviewing the President. Not Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but president Gloria Aray-Ko, a powerful woman with a scalding tongue that says Afghanistan must be pulverized. She also claims she’s not hot-tempered but she snaps at me as often as she blinks.

Gloria Aray-Ko is a new character to be portrayed by comedy diva Tessie Tomas. She will debut in Teysi@Twenti, a comedy show set in four nights (Oct. 12, 13, 26 and 27) at the Music Museum, with Jon Santos and John Lapus as her special guests.

Besides Gloria, the show will mark the debut of new comedic characters to be brought to life by Tessie including Mary Tahong a.k.a. Agent Sinadsad Binabad Cottonbud. Tessie will also be doing a portion inspired by her days as a radio talent, where she first learned to do various sounds and voice effects. Furthermore, a Tessie Tomas show won’t be complete without her signature characters like Amanda Pineda (who’s forecasting troubles again), Bonnie Buendia (who faces stiff competition from Ms. Tika, the Starlet of the New Millennium) and Meldita, this time in a Christina Aguilera-inspired outfit browsing through the day’s headlines. One unique feature of the show will be a video-wall with which Tessie will be interacting with her own characters.

Also included in the show is a "woman to woman" moment with John Santos that will feature pairs like Krissie and Inee, Mama Bel and Puppa, Vilma and Nora, Sharon and KC and Merriam and Mareng Wendy. A sketch on "dueling network divas" with Teysi and Jon and John is also one of the show’s highlights. This portion will feature the three comedians portraying newscasters from rival networks trying to outdo each other while delivering the news.

Tessie is a very brilliant comedian. She throws punchlines with the accuracy of William Tell. She has the bravura of a Shakespearean actress who has won the Laurence Olivier Award five times in a row.

Tessie first tickled us with her hilarious and biting monologues back in the early 80’s when comedy was truly funny. Today, some comedians are like terrorists. They lurk everywhere and so many of them are more annoying then entertaining, they might as well be sent to Kabul.

And with her genius in comedy, Tessie is here to stay.

"I’ve really missed doing stand-up and I thought a show like this would be a good way to celebrate my 20th year in showbiz," says Tessie. "It’s my way of looking back at where I came from. It feels really good when you look back, and you realize na ang dami mo na palang ginawa." It is also Tessie’s way of thanking all the people who’ve helped her in anyway in her 20 years as a performing artist.

Teysi@Tweynti is a production of Artist House, Inc. and is presented by Kraft Cheez Whiz, Del Monte Tomato Sauce and YKL Fuji Films. Minor sponsors are Figaro, Rice Mix, Binalot, Salon Prive, Crossover 105.1, Joey 92.3 and Angel Radyo.

Teysi@Twyenti is directed by Floy Quintos and is written by Ricky Lopez and Joel Mercado. Hair and make-up is by Dennis Tan, wardrobe by Maxi Cinco and photography by Raymund Isaac.

Tickets are available at Ticket World (891 5610), National Bookstore, Tower Records, the Music Museum (721 0635, 721 6726), Artist House (8151953, 817 4660 and 816 2496) and the customer service section of Robinson’s Department Stores.

You can go X-static

Marylouise Productions joins UNICEF as it celebrates the youth month of October via a concert billed X-static at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 19. The concert gathers together Aiza Seguerra, Carol Banawa and Piolo Pascual. Joining them are the Maneuvers, Whiplash, Karylle, Gary Valenciano, Lani Misalucha and Donita Rose.

X-static is a cutting edge show that every music fan would enjoy. Directed also by Floy Quintos with Mon Faustino as musical director and Powerplay as the show’s official band, X-static will showcase never-before-seen production numbers, special effects, state-of-the-art lighting and other visual treats.

(Tickets for X-static are available at Marylouise Ticket Office at tel. no. 8403745, SM Ticketnet and at the Araneta Coliseum.)