Philippines Theatre + Broadway News

Review Roundup: COLLECTION by Dulaang UP; Addt'l Show on 3/6

(3/1/2013) - 'Collection,' an original Filipino play, written by multi-awarded playwright Floy Quintos ('Shock Value,' 'Ang Bagong Harana') and directed by avant garde director Dexter Santos ('Rizal X', 'Orosman at Zafira') is DUP's final offering for its 37th season. The production runs until Wednesday, March 6 at Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, University of the Philippines.

Review Roundup: RED Enters Last Weekend, 3/1-2

(2/28/2013) - American playwright and screenwriter John Logan's ('Any Given Sunday,' 'Aviator') Tony Award-winning play 'Red,' which won six awards at the 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Play, enters its last weekend at College of Saint Benilde-School of Design and Arts Theatre on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2.

BWW Reviews: SPRING AWAKENING by Blue Repertory

(2/27/2013) - Until when should the truth be enshrouded with sugar-coated malice? (until it's too late to do anything?)

2010 Tony Award-winning Play RED Premieres in the Philippines Tonight

(2/22/2013) - American playwright and screenwriter John Logan's ('Any Given Sunday,' 'Aviator') Tony Award-winning play 'Red,' which won six awards at the 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Play, and Best Featured Actor in a Play for Eddie Redmayne, best known as the actor who played Marius in the Oscar-nominated film 'Les Miserables,' will run at College of Saint Benilde-School of Design and Arts (CSB-SDA) Theatre for four days only, tonight, February 22-23 and March 1-2.

Photos: Floy Quintos' COLLECTION by Dulaang UP

(2/21/2013) - 'Collection,' an original Filipino play, written by multi-awarded playwright Floy Quintos ('Shock Value,' 'Ang Bagong Harana') and directed by avant garde director Dexter Santos ('Rizal X', 'Orosman at Zafira') is DUP's final offering for its 37th season. The production runs until Sunday, March 3 at Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, University of the Philippines.

STAGE TUBE: Lea Salonga Joins Judging Panel for THE VOICE PHILIPPINES

(2/20/2013) - Broadway favorite Lea Salonga is set to judge the Philippines' version of 'The Voice', which will begin auditions later this week. Check out a promo featuring Salonga below!

BWW Interviews: COLLECTION's Floy Quintos & Dexter Santos

(2/20/2013) - When two brilliant creative minds in the theater collaborate on a most unlikely subject matter, one would be reminded of Andre Antoine (1858-1943), father of modern theater in France, and his Theatre Libre, where unbridled exploration in theater is both compelling and groundbreaking.

Confirmed: Nikki Snelson to Hold Master Class in Manila, 3/9-10

(2/17/2013) - Via email, Nikki Snelson, the Broadway actress, dancer, and choreographer arguably best known for her role as fitness queen Brooke Wyndham in the screen-to-stage adaptation of "Legally Blonde," has confirmed with BroadwayWorld that she will indeed travel to Manila, Philippines to hold a weekend of jazz class, singing/acting master class from Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 10.

Audio: Monique Wilson Sings I AM RISING for ONE BILLION RISING-Philippines

(2/16/2013) - Monique Wilson, ONE BILLION RISING lead organizer in the Philippines, sings 'I Am Rising,' an original song, composed and arranged by Andrei lonescu, featuring lyrics by Joi Barrios, which Wilson sang live at the well-attended ONE BILLION RISING rally at Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Ballet Philippines Opens A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Friday, 2/15

(2/14/2013) - Following the highly successful run of pop ballet 'Rama Hari,' Ballet Philippines (BP) opens its newest season with its own take on William Shakespeare's enchanting comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theatre this weekend, February 15 (3 p.m., 8 p.m.) and February 16 to 17 (2 p.m., 6 p.m.)

The Philippines Joins Eve Ensler's ONE BILLION RISING Today

(2/14/2013) - Community groups Gabriela Women's Party and Gabriela, which fight for Filipino women's rights, and theater organization New Voice Company, which is best known for its repeated 'stagings' of Tony winner Eve Ensler's 'The Vagina Monologues' in the Philippines, will join women and men in 200 countries to celebrate Ensler's 15-year effort to end violence against women and girls via ONE BILLION RISING, where participants 'strike, dance, and rise' along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City on Valentine's Day, today, February 14.

BWW Interviews: THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG's Joseph Tolentino & Gemini Quintos

(2/13/2013) - Apart from the first pairing up of actors Nikki Gil and Lorenz Martinez, another interesting aspect of 9 Works Theatrical's (9WT) latest stage production, the classic Broadway musical 'They're Playing Our Song,' is the artistic contribution of Joseph Tolentino, musical director, and Gemini Quintos, choreographer.

Photo Flash: Dulaang UP Opens COLLECTION Tonight

(2/13/2013) - Dulaang UP, together with its media partner BroadwayWorld Philippines and exceptional photographers Dino Dimar and Jojit Lorenzo, brings you a first look at the stellar cast of 'Collection,' a new dark comedy by multi-awarded playwright, TV and stage director Floy Quintos ('Ang Bagong Harana,' 'Isang Panaginip na Fili').

The Philippines Joins Eve Ensler's ONE BILLION RISING on Thursday, 2/14

(2/10/2013) - Community groups Gabriela Women's Party and Gabriela, which fight for Filipino women's rights, and theater organization New Voice Company, which is best known for its repeated 'stagings' of Tony winner Eve Ensler's 'The Vagina Monologues' in the Philippines, will join women and men in 200 countries to celebrate Ensler's 15-year effort to end violence against women and girls via ONE BILLION RISING, where participants 'strike, dance, and rise' along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City on Valentine's Day, February 14.

Photo Flash: First Look at THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, SPRING AWAKENING

(2/9/2013) - 9 Works Theatrical's ("You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown," "Sweet Charity") production of Marvin Hamlisch and Carol Bayer Sager's classic Broadway musical "They're Playing Our Song" (TPOS), directed by Robbie Guevara, opens this weekend at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City; Blue Repertory's ("Bare," "Little Shop of Horrors") production of Duncan Sheik's dark rock musical "Spring Awakening" (SA), directed by Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, will follow suit when SA opens at Rizal Mini Theatre, Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City on Valentine's Day, February 14.

THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG Runs Now thru 3/3

(2/8/2013) - Love is in the air; and 9 Works Theatrical is ready to woo audiences with several evenings of music, laughter, and romance as the theater company presents the hit Broadway musical 'They're Playing Our Song' (TPOS) at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati City from tonight, February 8 to Sunday, March 3.

Eula Valdes to Star as 'Morticia' in THE ADDAMS FAMILY in Manila, Nov-Dec 2013

(2/7/2013) - According to ABS-CBN News, Eula Valdez has been cast as 'Morticia' in The Addams Family musical, coming to Manila's Meralco Theater in November 2013.

Photo Flash: IBALONG by Tanghalang Pilipino Plays Now thru 3/3

(2/7/2013) - Photographer Erik Crisologo Liongoren previously released his first shots of Tanghalang Pilipino's (TP) most ambitious production to date, the epic dance drama 'Ibalong,' inspired by the City of Legazpi's (capital of the Bicol Region) week-long, non-religious festival.

BWW Reviews: BOEING-BOEING by Repertory Philippines

(2/6/2013) - When the play's director is all smiles on opening night, you can tell the show is off to a good start.

Photo Coverage: IBALONG Meets the Press; Show Opens 2/8

(2/3/2013) - Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is facing herculean task -- artistically, physically, and economically -- with the staging of 'Ibalong,' an epic dance drama.

STAGE TUBE: POTTED POTTER Returns to the Philippines, Now thru 2/3

(1/30/2013) - British actors Gary Trainor and Jesse Briton come full circle when POTTED POTTER: The Unauthorized Harry Experience - a parody by Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner - returns to Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, in Makati City for nine performances only at the end of the month and the first week of February.

Photo Coverage: Philippine Opera Company Presents BLACK BOX

(1/29/2013) - Philippine Opera Company's (POC) Young Artists Series: BLACK BOX/A LITTLE NIGHT OF OPERA, a free public performance held last Wednesday at POC's Opera Haus, was packed with a very appreciative audience, and stellar performances from participating artists.

BWW Reviews: THE KING AND I Starring Nonie Buencamino and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo

(1/28/2013) - Resorts World Manila's (RWM) Newport Performing Arts Theater recently raised its curtains for the new cast members of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King and I," Nonie Buencamino as King Mongkut and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Anna Leonowens.

2010 Tony Award-winning Play RED premieres in the Philippines, 2/22

(1/27/2013) - American playwright and screenwriter John Logan's ("Any Given Sunday," "Aviator") Tony Award-winning play "Red," which won six awards at the 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Play, and Best Featured Actor in a Play for Eddie Redmayne, best known as the actor who played Marius in the Oscar-nominated film "Les Miserables," will run at College of Saint Benilde-School of Design and Arts (CSB-SDA) Theatre for four days only, February 22-23 and March 1-2.

Photo Coverage: First Look at Rep's BOEING-BOEING

(1/25/2013) - Repertory Philippines (Rep) opened its 76th theater season with 2008 Tony Award-winning comedy "Boeing-Boeing," originally written in French by Marc Camoletti, which in turn was translated into English by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans, last night at Onstage Theatre in Makati City.

Rep's BOEING-BOEING Opens Tonight

(1/25/2013) - Handsome, dashing playboy Bernard (David Bianco, who starred in Repertory Philippines's [Rep] "Next Fall") feels like the definitive Don Juan as he juggles three beautiful fiancees - all sultry and sexy air hostesses.

Rep's BOEING-BOEING Opens Friday, 1/25

(1/23/2013) - Handsome, dashing playboy Bernard (David Bianco, who starred in Repertory Philippines's [Rep] "Next Fall") feels like the definitive Don Juan as he juggles three beautiful fiancees - all sultry and sexy air hostesses.

Review Roundup: Spotlight Artists Centre Presents KATY

(1/22/2013) - Members of the press that attended the preview performance of the much-anticipated revival production of Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's landmark musical "Katy" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Wednesday last week felt the production was far from technically perfect. Nevertheless, this Spotlight Artists Centre's take on the beloved original Filipino musical, based on the life and times of bodabil queen Katy dela Cruz, directed by the show's original director, Nestor U. Torre, opened last weekend, and was rewarded with extended standing ovations from the audience.

THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG Meets the Press; Show Runs 2/8-3/3

(1/21/2013) - Love is in the air; and 9 Works Theatrical is ready to woo audiences with several evenings of music, laughter, and romance as the theater company presents the hit Broadway musical "They're Playing Our Song" (TPOS) at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati City from Friday, February 8 to Sunday, March 3.

Photo Flash: First Look at the Cast of Dulaang UP's COLLECTION, 2/13-3/3

(1/20/2013) - Dulaang UP, together with its media partner BroadwayWorld Philippines and exceptional photographers Dino Dimar and Jojit Lorenzo, brings you a first look at the stellar cast of "Collection," a new dark comedy by multi-awarded playwright, TV and stage director Floy Quintos ("Ang Bagong Harana," "Isang Panaginip na Fili").

Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Rep's NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY, 3/1-24

(1/19/2013) - For the entire month of March, Joel Trinidad ('Crush Hour,' 'Defending the Caveman') returns to the Repertory Philippines's (Rep) stage with 2012 BroadwayWorld PH Award nominee Carla Guevara-Laforteza ('Nine,' 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown') in Douglas J. Cohen's 'No Way to Treat a Lady,' described as a 'theatrically-charged musical comedy thriller,' based on the bestselling book by William Goldman.

FREEZE FRAME: First Look at THE KING OF THE BIRDS, Runs Thru 2/2

(1/18/2013) - Tanghalang Ateneo presents "The King of the Birds," an enchanting Persian fable turned into a stage play, at Ateneo de Manila University's Rizal Mini Theatre from Thursday, January 17 to Saturday, February 2.

Review Roundup: LES MISERABLES Opens in the Philippines

(1/17/2013) - "Les Miserables" fans in the Philippines had to wait a little longer for the Tom Hooper-helmed stage to screen adaptation of the famous musical, based on Victor Hugo's novel, because cineplexes, primarily in Metro Manila, were booked for the annual Metro Manila Film Festival, which showcases local movie productions, over the holidays.

Photo Flash: KATY Opens Tonight at CCP

(1/17/2013) - BroadwayWorld.com recently got a hold of Spotlight Artists Centre's brand new publicity photos of its revival production of Filipino landmark musical "Katy!," directed by Nestor U. Torre, which runs at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino from tonight, January 17 to Sunday, January 27, 2013.

LES MISERABLES: Exposition of Christian Virtues at Its Core

(1/16/2013) - "To love another person is to see the face of God" - Colm Wilkinson's Bishop Myriel of Digne and Anne Hathaway's Fantine, together with Hugh Jackman's Jean Valjean, sung those arguably the most indelible lyrics by tail end in the Tom Hooper-helmed musical motion picture, "Les Miserables," a faithful film adaptation based on the 1987 Tony Award-winning musical, written by Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil, and Herbert Kretzmer, which in turn was inspired by the French historical novel of the same name, published in 1862, by Victor Hugo, a well-known French Romantic poet and novelist who had evident antipathy toward the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church; but, interestingly, had high regard for the Church's doctrines.

FREEZE FRAME: Meet the Three Lovely Flight Attendants of BOEING-BOEING

(1/14/2013) - 2012 BroadwayWorld PH Award nominee Giannina Ocampo (Gabriella), Carla Dunareanu (Gretchen), and Jen Bianco (Gloria) join the cast of Repertory Philippines' (Rep) new season opener "Boeing-Boeing," 2008 Tony Award and Drama Desk Award-winning revival of a play, written by French playwright Marc Camelotti, which in turn was translated into English by Beverly Cross and Francis Evans in the early '60s.

Atlantis Productions to Open MARY POPPINS in The Philippines in 2014; Lea Salonga Considered for Lead?

(1/10/2013) - Atlantis Productions has announced via Facebook that it will stage Disney's Mary Poppins in the Philippines in 2014. According to ABS-CBN News, among the actresses being considered for the title role are Pinky Marquez, Joanna Ampil and Lea Salonga.

2012 BWW PH Winners Announced - LITTLE MERMAID, BONA, PHANTOM Win Big!

(1/7/2013) - Atlantis Productions' Asian premiere of Disney's "The Little Mermaid," Philippine Educational Theater Association's screen-to-stage adaptation of "Bona," and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions' international touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" lead the 2012 BroadwayWorld (BWW) Philippines Awards with nine, five, and four nods respectively.

Avail of Limited Free Tickets to Advance Screening of LES MISERABLES, 1/15

(1/7/2013) - MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) encourages "Les Miserables" fans in the Philippines to avail of limited free tickets to the advance screening of "Les Miserables" at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 2 on Tuesday, January 15 by pre-ordering the best-selling soundtrack album "Les Miserables: Highlights from the Motion Picture" at PhP 495.00 from today 'til Sunday, January 13.

BWW Interviews: Joanna Ampil Talks Grizabella, CATS 2013 UK/Europe Tour

(1/6/2013) - London-based stage actress Joanna Ampil seems to have all the luck having "Miss Saigon" (Kim), "Jesus Christ Superstar" (Mary Magdalene), "Les Miserables" (Fantine), and "Avenue Q" (Christmas Eve), among others under her belt. However, luck does not have anything to do with her success in musical theater because this hard-working thespian believes that her continuous drive to learn more, and her quest to be the best that she can be are responsible for every good thing that comes her way.