Photo Flash: Meet the Cast that Complete KATY!

Manila, Philippines, January 4, 2013 -- Spotlight Artists Centre will open its revival production of Filipino landmark musical "Katy!" in two weeks; and BroadwayWorld would like you to meet the rest of the production's hard-working cast -- while everyone else shopped and partied during the Christmas season, "Katy!'s" triple-threat cast spent the holidays polishing their tap-dancing skills, and sitting through a sitzprobe with the show's musical director, Mel Villena, and his big band, AMP.

First row, L-R: Gimbey Dela Cruz, Sheely Gener, CJ Mangahis, and China Cojuangco
Second row, L-R: Sheng Belmonte, Noemi Gonzales, Astarte Abraham, and Dulce

First row, L-R: Enteng Evangelista, Jeyvi Castillo, Carlon Matobato, and Aaron Ching
Second row, L-R: Poppert Bernadas, Lito Cipriano, Andy Bais, and Gian Magdangal

Revisiting the toe-topping, infectious, and melodious music by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, and the high-spirited fun, heart-pulling book and lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes, "Katy!" joyously brings back its audience to the vaudeville era at around the beginning of the American occupation of the Philippines, where Katy dela Cruz, the foremost diva of the vaudeville stage shone brightest.

"Katy!" was originally produced by Celeste Legaspi and Girlie Rodis; the show premiered at the now-defunct Rizal Theater in 1989, which later transferred to the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Legaspi, Mitch Valdez, Bernardo Bernardo, and Marco Sison starred in the original production, directed by Nestor U. Torre.

Catch the cast of "Katy!" at the SM Malls: Saturday, January 5 at SM Southmall; Sunday, January 6 at SM Fairview; and Saturday, January 12 at SM Megamall.

"Katy!" runs at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino from Thursday, January 17 to Sunday, January 27.

For tickets, call (632) 899-8089 and (63) 922-898-6644.

Photos by MJ Suayan; styling by Fanny Serrano

Oliver is about to earn his M.S. degree in public relations and corporate communication from New York University while serving as regional editor for BroadwayWorld.com. Over the past 18 years, Oliver has been handling public relations and corporate communication for numerous brands (including Pepsi), Broadway shows, Broadway stars, non-profit organizations, and mainstream celebrities. He also teaches public relations at De La Salle University-Manila. Follow Oliver on Twitter: @OliverOliveros

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