A night of great entertainment from ‘Illusione… Encore!’

Early this year, the highly-acclaimed talk-of-the-town musicale extravaganza Illusione captivated the hearts of Manila theater goers. The producers, Margie Moran Floirendo, Carmita Francisco and Niña Romualdez, together with Cebu’s very own Marissa Fernan – all women of substance with reachable dreams – promised to share with the Cebuanos a weekend of great entertainment.

And they did. The trio-plus one brought Illusione... Encore! recently to our shores amid uproarious applause and wild cheers at Theater One of SM City Cebu.

Illusione... Encore! showcased the country’s leading Filipino impersonators of internationally-celebrated entertainers such as Liza Minelli, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson and our very own diva Zsa Zsa Padilla.

The dazzling production numbers and the breathtaking performances reflected the combined genius of accomplished director and choreographer Douglas Nierras, proficient script writer Rikki Lopez and the brilliant James Cooper, the show’s overall theatrical image consultant.

It was definitely a first in Cebu in more ways than many. So let’s listen to what some ladies have to say about a show, with an oozing-with-talent all-male cast impersonating all-female classic singers, which listed the far reaching Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation as the evening’s sole beneficiary.

ELO FERNAN, Cebu’s civic-oriented grand dame: I was indeed lucky to have seen the original production of Illusione in Manila. I had such an enjoyable evening, I told myself that this was one show that should make a run in Cebu. It did. Illusione... Encore! was pleasantly different from the first one I had seen. I found myself laughing the night away one more time.

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JO MAGSAYSAY, well-respected much-read chronicler of Cebu’s cultural and social life: Illusione... Encore! was sheer entertainment. It was a glorious shout, a poignant cry, and an emphatic statement from the gays to understand them, to accept them. And judging from the thunderous applause, the standing ovation, the audience loved them.

The grand finale was a grand gig, which converted the exquisitely choreographed Swan Lake into a delirious devised ballet that had the audience rising to its feet, giggling, clamoring "Bravo" and "Encore."

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ELVIRA LUYM, dependable pillar of the city’s arts and cultural scene: Illusione... Encore! is a two-hour show of stomach-splitting laughter. One of the performers, Arnel Ignacio, simply brought the entire house down with his ravished look, totally wrapped up in white sheets and his eye-catching flowery flip-flops. I also took notice of Anthony Cruz, who is a natural-born comedian. The entire cast gave brilliant impersonations of music divas. The presentation was absolutely hilarious.

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OLIVIA UY of Cebu City Tourism Commission: I’m very pleased the show came to town. A delightful evening with lots of really good laughs. Anthony Cruz almost stole the show."

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ADA MARTINEZ, lady golfer titleholder: There was never a dull moment throughout the two-hour show. I even asked myself where did the time go. An entertaining Illusione.

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JOYCE DIZON, advertising-publication executive: Utterly entertaining while it delivered a comforting message to gays to be happy with their grand illusions. Illusione... Encore!’s magical interpretation of Swan Lake brought the house down.

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MARGET VILLARICA, tour specialist and travel organizer: Illusione... Encore! was a notable revelation to the audience of the untold story about the inner feelings, abilities and capabilities of talented gays. An excellent production, which was very amusing.

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MARGIE LHUILLIER, a remarkable achiever ahead of the times: What an impressive parade of talents! What a show! A roar! A hoot and a scream! A riot! A crack up! A blast!

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Illusione… Encore! has a series of performances at Star Theater, Star City, CCP Complex on Aug. 30 and 31 and Sept. 1 and in Pampanga on Sept. 6 and 7. Tickets are priced at P1,200 for premiere seats, P800 for orchestra and P400 for balcony. Interested block-buyers may contact Bahaghari Productions at 687-0990 or 687-1281. For ticket reservations, call Ticketworld at 891-5610.