Musical theater blooms in 2011

Musical theater was not only alive and well in the Philippines in 2011. It was flourishing  a bright spot in what could have been a dreary year. It was almost like the theater people around us decided with a vengeance to show off their artistry and skills at almost the same time. That presented quite a problem because most of us do not have the time or the means to be able to watch everything available. But if one were to have a problem, how wonderful it is that it is of this sort.

The situation got me into thinking of how tourists would flock to New York and London just to watch the shows. If they were unable to do that, especially those who live in Asia, they go to either Hong Kong or Singapore. So wouldn’t it be great if they were also to think of Manila as a theater stop. As last year’s varied selections showed, we can offer tourists anything they want. If we make sure that these presentations are of top quality, then they will keep coming back for more.

I am sure that visitors in Manila who checked out the local theater fare last year were amazed at what we had to offer. We literally had everything going on week after week. And that means anything from the merry rappers of William, a hip-hop retelling of Shakespeare at PETA by Ron Capinding with Rody Vera and directed by Maribel Legarda; down to the sleek In The Heights at the RCBC in Makati from Atlantis Productions directed by Bobby Garcia; to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music at the Resorts World Manila directed by Roxanne Lapus with Joanna Ampil and Cris Villonco as Maria and Audie Gemora and Ed Feist as Captain Von Trapp; and even a touring company of Stomp, the enjoyable British exploration of sounds at the Cultural Center of the Philippines from Concertus, Inc.

Wasn’t there somebody who said that the Philippines has an embarrassment of talent? This is so true and was proven again last year. Of particular interest was the emergence of three young actresses who can be expected to mature into great ladies of the theater. No need anymore to worry that no one around seems likely to follow in the footsteps of Lea Salonga, or Joanna or Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo. One or two or even, all of these girls might just do that soon.

The particularly sensitive Cris Villonco turned in moving performances in Noli: The Musical as Maria Clara and as Maria in The Sound of Music. Nikki Gil was an absolute delight in Sweet Charity, an adept singer, dancer and comedienne who should be ripe to do Roxy Hart in Chicago soon. And then there is Rachelle Ann Go as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. It was her first time out in a musical but the singing champion showed she does not only have the voice but also the acting chops to be a true Disney princess and then maybe more.

Come to think of it, there were also other pop singers who tried out the stage this year and did very well. Mark Bautista in a triumphant debut as Crisostomo Ibarra in Noli: The Musical where he alternated with Gian Magdangal; Nyoy Volante and K-La Rivera in In The Heights which also featured Jackie Lou Blanco in her first musical stage role and singing champ Jimmy Marquez; a grown-up Sam Concepcion in the title role in Peter Pan A Musical Adventure; Kris Lawrence in Sweet Charity; and OJ Mariano, who excelled in both Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Sweet Charity. They remind me of The Dawn vocalist Jett Pangan, who tried out the stage some years ago and never left. Last seen with Menchu in Next To Normal, he is now one of our finest actors.

I see also no need to worry about these talents getting the stage musicals they deserve. Not with thespians Menchu, Peter Pan and Audie Gemora, Noli who are now also directors, not with writers like Bien Lumbera Noli and Ron Capinding, William; composers like Ryan Cayabyab Noli and Vince de Jesus, Care Divas; directors like Garcia, Next To Normal and Arrespacochaga, Little Mermaid and Legarda, William; designers like Eric Pineda, Little Mermaid and Mio Infante, The Sound Of Music and so many others around us whose artistry and stagecraft can stand with the best in the world.

All they need are the breaks and I am sure 2012 will provide more of them. The signs are good that it will be another great year for musicals. Concertus, Inc. will kick off the year with Mamma Mia! at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Jan. 24. Atlantis has announced Rock of Ages and Nine. Hopefully, there will be more to come.

Have a happy and blessed 2012.