MANILA, Philippines - At the press conference hosted by The Resorts World Manila Management, King of Philippine Theater and Talent 5 head, Audie Gemora, revealed the two times he joined The Sound Of Music Musical Productions. So, why is he in it for the third time?
He replied, “Thirty years ago for Repertory, I joined The Sound Of Music and played Rolph opposite Menchu Lauchenco as Liesl. Lea Salonga was eight years old then. Four years ago, I joined the Rep production again but this time as Captain George Von Trapp and with Menchu again, but this time she was Maria alternating with Monique Wilson. So why am I in it again? Hirap ang Teatro ngayon. We do not get enough support. As you know, very few productions produce large-scale musicals like this.”
He added, “I won’t say we are one of the best. We are the best in the world as talents. And so my joining the production is my way of encouraging Resorts World to produce a musical with Filipino artists because it is the complete opposite of what other local producers are doing by bringing in touring companies with foreign casts who are not even as good as our local artists. It is a travesty that major companies sponsor these productions in the millions while declining local productions even a fraction of their advertising budget. This is colonial mentality to the hilt!”
Headlined by Filipino powerhouse and Broadway tament, opens on Oct. 15 at the New Port Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila. For details, visit any Ticketworld outlet lents, Maria is played by Joanna Ampil with Cris Villonco as her alternate. Meanwhile, apart from Audie, the strict but loving Captain Von Trapp is also played by Ed Feist. The quiet and understanding Mother Abbess is portrayed by Pinky Marquez with Sheila Francisco as alternate. The role of the charming and ambitious Max Detweiler is shared by Miguel Faustman and Robbie Guevara. The captain’s fiancée, Baroness Elsa Schraeder, is played by Pinky Amador and Lynn Sherman.
Liesl, the eldest of the Von Trapp siblings, is portrayed by Tanya Manalang with Rachel Coates alternating. Rolf, Liesl’s love interest, is played by Marvin Ong and Bryan Homecillo. The rest of the Von Trapp children are played by Paolo Luis Ocampo, Luis Nieto (Friedrich), Danielle Sanghio, Rebecca Coates (Louisa), Atasha Muhlach, Janina Punzalan, Alessandra Allado (Brigitta), Roberto Sison, Anton Posadas, Justin Sian (Kurt), Alida Moberg, Paula Therese Zamesa, Sofia Yabyabin (Marta), Alexa Villarroel and Shanti Gleason (Gretl). Other supporting cast members include Debraliz Valasote (Frau Schmidt), Eduardo Bouffard (Franz the Butler), Lorenz Martinez (Herr Zeller), Jennifer Villegas, Carla Guevara (Sister Berthe), Sarah Facuri, Pamela Imperial (Sister Margaretta), Jillian Peña and Maxine Sian (Sister Sophia). Costumes are designed and executed by Francis Libiran, set design by Mio Infante and stage direction by Roxanne Lapuz. The Sound of Music, line-produced by Ultimate Entertainor the Resorts World Manila Box-Office or log on to www.rwmanila.com.