From March 19 to 20, Manila’s theater scene was a twitter as one of the Philippines’ leading theater companies, 9 Works Theatrical, held its hotly-anticipated auditions for THE WEDDING SINGER, a riotous yet heartwarming musical based on the New Line Cinema film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
Over a hundred contenders battled it out for a slot in the select cast of twenty-eight, which includes select chorus members who will play impersonators of notable characters from the 80s. After a most grueling saga of deliberations, 9 Works Theatrical is proud to announce the long-awaited cast of THE WEDDING SINGER.
Plucking on his guitar strings as Robbie Hart is Party Pilipinas’ Gian Magdangal who most recently appeared onstage as Roger in 9 Works Theatrical’s RENT THE MUSICAL. Here, he is reunited with TV personality and MYX VJ Iya Villania who he once shared the stage with in a local production of Footloose the Musical.
Villania will play the role of waitress Julia Sullivan, alternating with theater veteran Shiela Valderrama-Martinez who was part of the opening team of Hong Kong Disneyland as the first Asian to play Nala in the Festival of the Lion King and Bebe in the Golden Mickeys.
Singer-actress and TV personality Nikki Valdez, who also shared the stage with Magdangal and Villania in Footloose, returns to the stage as Holly, Julia’s bubbly, uninhibited and lovable cousin.
Analin Bantug, who has played a bevy of roles, including Kim in her five-year stint with Miss Saigon, alternates with Valdez for the said role.
Completing the stellar cast are actors Jeremy Aguado as Julia’s fiance Glen Guglia, Lorenz Martinez as Robbie’s pal Sammy, Johann dela Fuente as Robbie’s flamboyantly eccentric friend George, Myrene Santos as Linda, and Enchang Kaimo as Rosie, Robbie’s feisty grandmother.
Also joining the cast are a potpourri of Philippine theater’s finest and up and coming actors who will show you how to party like it’s 1985. These include: Arnold Trinidad, Bym Buhain, Chinie Nepomuceno, Francis Matheu, Harold Cruz, Ikey Canoy, James Stacey, Jenny Villegas, Jonjon Martin, Luau Sablan, Mark Tayag, Mian Dimacali, Miguel Vasquez, Nikki Guevara, Peachy Atilano, Sab Jose, Shelyn Tayanes, and Sylveth Ong-iko.
THE WEDDING SINGER will open at the Meralco Theater on October 23, 2010 and will run until November 17, 2010. For tickets to the November 7, (Sun) 8PM schedule, contact Onay Sales (0918.536.2116), Borgy Marzan (0922.888.5344) or Robert Marzan (0922.888.5348). Email: watchplays@yahoo.com.
*Article by Christopher de Venecia*
