Christian Bautista takes on biggest challenge in ‘Ghost’

MANILA, Philippines - Award-winning pop singer Christian Bautista returns to the musical theater stage in the lead role of Sam Wheat in Atlantis Productions and Ten Bridges Media Corp.’s highly anticipated staging of Ghost the Musical, which runs from April 25 to May 11, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

Christian was last seen on stage as the Prince in Cinderella and also played Tony in West Side Story.  The role of Sam in Ghost is his biggest and most challenging stage role to date.  He says, “Ghost is a great emotional ride. The music, the story and the staging. I am in love with this show and with the role of Sam.  His journey is amazing and it is the hardest thing I have ever done to date.”

Ghost is a timeless fantasy adapted from the hit film by its Academy Award-winning screenwriter, Bruce Joel Rubin. It features an original pop score from multiple Grammy Award-winners Dave Stewart (one half of the ’80s pop duo the Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard (co-writer with Alanis Morissette on the multi-platinum album “Jagged Little Pill,” among many other notable credits and collaborations). Joining Christian in the Manila premiere are Cris Villonco as Molly, Ima Castro as Oda Mae and Hans Eckstein as Carl.

Directed by Bobby Garcia, Ghost is presented through a special licensing agreement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide. Garcia says, “I am thrilled to bring this timeless love story to the stage with the exciting cast that we have assembled.  Just a couple of weeks into rehearsals and already the chemistry between Christian Bautista and Cris Villonco is so palpable. Not to mention that they are singing the score like it’s nobody’s business. It’s a joy to be surrounded by all this talent.”

Ghost is Atlantis’ first production in partnership with Ten Bridges Media Corp. of Bobby Barreiro and Tony Tuviera. The alliance of Atlantis Productions and Ten Bridges Media brings together experience in theater, television content creation and audience affinity. Garcia says, “It has always been a dream of ours at Atlantis to expand what we started in the Philippines 15 years ago and create top quality productions for the entire Asian region. With Ten Bridges Media, Bobby Barreiro and Tony Tuviera, we have found the perfect partners who share the same vision and passion for producing world class content, particularly for theatre. We look forward to working together as we move forward in producing and presenting shows not only in the Philippines but across all of Asia.”

Also featured in the cast of Ghost are Altair Alonso, Mikkie Bradshaw, Bym Buhain, Arron Cadawas, Steven Conde, Milai Imperial, Kim Molina, Raul Montesa, Yael Pineda-Hall, Marisa Saroca, and Jamie Wilson. The musical features choreography by Cecile Martinez, musical direction by Ceejay Javier, set design by Otto Hernandez, lighting design by Dong Calingacion, costume design by Daniel Arcinue, projection design by GA Fallarme, vocal coaching by ManMan Angsico, assistant direction by Jamie Wilson and illusion consultation by Max Kaye of Zongle Creative, UK.

For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078, Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.atlantisproductionsinc.com. Ghost the Musical is recommended for ages 13+. Please be advised that there is mild violence, mature themes and dialogue.