Nightmare before Christmas

MANILA, Philippines - For the first time, the Rep goes dark for the holiday season.

Insiders from Repertory Philippines have been in a quandary lately. It is a known fact that the legendary theatre company’s comfort zone lies in producing child-friendly musicals, or at least wholesome family entertainment during this time of the year. Sweeney Todd is definitely not for kids. Not even for the young at heart.

This Stephen Sondheim magnum opus is material that rips your heart apart, and throws it at the audience — guts and gore, with blood spilling out.  Perhaps this is the kind of merciless material that Rep needs in order to restore its heartbeat, one that has been in need of resuscitation. Enter Audie Gemora and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, two of the company’s most esteemed alumni into the picture, with the Rep founder Baby Barredo and veteran Michael Williams sitting on directors’ chairs, and what can you expect?

A bloody musical horror feast not for the faint hearted. If Facebook newsfeeds are to be believed, this is the Rep’s most heart-tugging, gripped-to-your-chair kind of theatrical work in ages. Artists have that “tingling sensation” or hunch to feel what is coming that reflects the society they live in. I’m sure they didn’t know what was to come when they chose to stage Sweeney Todd within the vicinity of Christmas, but after everything that has happened to our country, that is exactly the mood — dark. They got it right this time.

I Feel You, Johanna

 I don’t know what to expect because I haven’t seen the show. I know for a fact though that Audie and Menchu are as fine and seasoned as performers can get. They will surely deliver the goods, and more. I know for a fact too, that this production heralds the coming of a new generation of actors and audience that is ready and willing to appreciate works that are out of the norm, edgy, if we have to look for a word to describe it.

I know for a fact too, that the music will be superb. Aside from the fact that this is Sondheim, the show has Gerard Salonga as conductor, with the FILharmoniKA — and that is a great thing. And visually, I know for a fact that the costumes and sets will stand out and enrich to the story telling, what with Gino Gonzales behind the threads.

There are many more things that make me feel excited and scared to catch this ghastly gem of a musical. I don’t know, I just feel it.

In the words of the tragic Anthony, played by Franco Laurel, “I feel you...”

Other cast members include Robbie Guevara (Beadle), Robbie Zialcita (Pirelli), Roger Chua (Judge Turpin), Liesl Batucan (beggar woman), and the Repertory Philippines newcomers Marvin Ong (Tobias), Lena McKenzie (Johanna), and Franco Laurel (Anthony).  The show also features Meynard Penalosa (Benjamin Barker/Sweeney Todd understudy), Juno Henares (Mrs. Lovett understudy), and chorus members: Joy Virata, Raul Montesa, Rem Zamora, Cara Barredo, Naths Everett, Oliver Usison, Jay Glorioso, Red Concepcion, Teenee Chan, Marisse Santos, Ring Antonio, James Stacey, Jejie Esguerra, Hans Eckstein, Jay Pangilinan, David Cruz, Gary Junsay, Collins Gutierrez, Gloria Sicam, and Ronna Guba. 

Playdates are until December 13, with Fridays/Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday/Sunday matinees at 3:30 p.m.  Performances are at Onstage, 2/F Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.  For tickets and inquiries, call 887-0710, 888-0887 or log on to www.repertory.ph or Tickeworld 891-9999 or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.

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