Visual delights, dazzling drama

In Shakespeare’s famous words, "The play’s the thing" and this could not be more true in the case of Trumpets’ The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

The musical play is based on a great story of four children – Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy – by renowned British author C.S. Lewis. They stumble into a wardrobe and find themselves in the land of Narnia, which is under the evil spell of the White Witch. They meet various talking animals and a great lion named Aslan. Together they work to free Narnia.

The creative team behind The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is composed of librettists Jaime del Mundo and Luna Grino-Inocian. They imbued the musical adaptation with dazzling dramatic elements and composer Lito Villareal set the words of Jaime and Luna to amazing, soul-stirring music enhanced by musical arranger Mon Faustino.

Visual delights also abound in the musical from Mark Lewis Higgin’s breath-taking, Oriental inspired costume designs complement Liz Batoctoy’s fantasy creations. The fabulous make-up is by RS Francisco and Icko Gonzalez while Shoko Matsumoto creates magic that transforms the theatrical offering into a dazzling visual delight with her extraordinary lighting design.

James Laforteza combines the best of dance and acting techniques in his choreography with the collective skills of Associate Director Audie Gemora and director Jaime del Mundo.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe opens at the Meralco Theater on Aug. 2 and runs until Sept. 15. Tickets are available at Ticketworld, 891 5610 and Trumpets at 633 5010.

Illusione repeat

Bahaghari Productions’ Illusione... Encore, opening in Star Theater at the CCP Complex on Aug. 17 is dubbed as a daring and spectacular production.

"We took out the best from the first show then added in new acts and characters that will surely bring the house down for first timers and for those who’ll watch it again!" says Carmita Francisco, one of the dynamic triumvirate of Bahaghari Productions which also includes Nina Romualdez and Margie Moran-Floirendo. Some of the most applauded scenes to be included in Illusione... Encore! are the Black Divas medley featuring James Cooper as Diana Ross, the Broadway Suite, The Swan Lake Suite featuring world-class choreographer Douglas Nierras as Odette and many more.

Divas to make an "appearance" on the show include Barbra Streisand, Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minelli, Celine Dion, Chaka Khan plus a drop-dead gorgeous Zsa Zsa Padilla with matching Comedy-King to boot!

Tickets to Illusione... Encore! are available at Ticketworld at 891 5610.

Mega Event at Araneta

"It’s really a dream of every singer to perform backed up by a full orchestra," says Megastar Sharon Cuneta. "It’s inspiring but also quite daunting."

Ever since the Mega Event, a concert which celebrates Sharon’s 25th anniversary in show business has been booked in her calendar (Aug. 16 and 17 at the Araneta Coliseum), the multi-talented performer has been on pins and needles. "My tummy is turning inside and out, just talking and thinking about it!"

Celebrated maestro Ryan Cayabyab has signed up as musical director with the 62-piece San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra (SMPO). Topnotch ABS-CBN executive Johnny Manahan is TV Director.

The Mega Event chronicles Sharon’s 25 years in the business – from her immortal songs to her memorable movies. Every mega fan should be there!

Tickets to the Mega Event are available at Ticketnet (911-5555) and at Artist House at (817 4660).

Disney classics on TV

Disney Channel brings to your TV screens two classic cartoons: Fantasia on Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. and Jack and the Beanstalk on Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Fantasia is the realization of Walt Disney’s dream to create a "concert film." This revolutionary and spectacular film is often hailed as one of the best films of all time. Meanwhile, Jack and the Beanstalk is the cartoon adaptation of the classic fairy tale but sprinkled with a lot of the Disney magic and humor!

Other movies to be aired in August on the Disney Channel are Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, The Rescuers Down Under and many more.