Onstage by Juan Antonio Lanuza
(Original article can be found here: http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=19341)
Are you ready to dance the night away and relive the era of the 1980s? If you are, get ready for 9 Works Theatrical’s presentation of The Wedding Singer, a musical comedy based on the 1998 New Line Cinema film that starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The show is set to open on Oct. 23, 8 p.m., at the Meralco Theater, Ortigas Ave., Pasig City.
The story takes place in 1985 when rock star wanna-be Robbie Hart is New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer. He’s the life of the party, until his own fiancee leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, he makes every wedding he plays as disastrous as his own.
Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. Only trouble is Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of the decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever.
The Wedding Singer is written by Tim Herlihy and features a brand new musical score with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy.
The cast in the Manila production is led by Gian Magdangal who plays Robbie. He is reunited by his Footloose co-star Iya Villania who will play Julia, alternating with Sheila Valderrama-Martinez.
Nikki Valdez, who also shared the stage with Magdangal and Villania in the local production of 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 sting with the Miss Saigon UK tour, alternates with Valdez as Holly.
Completing the stellar cast are Jeremy Aguado as Julia’s fiance Glen Guglia, Lorenz Martinez as Robbie’s pal Sammy, Johann de la Fuente as Robbie’s flamboyantly eccentric friend George, Myrene Santos as Linda, and Enchang Kaimo as Rosie, Robbie’s feisty grandmother.
Other cast members who will showcase their mettle in acting, singing and dancing are Arnold Trinidad, Bymn Buhain, Chinie Nepomuceno, Francis Matheu, Harold Cruz, Ikey Canoy, James Stacey, Jenny Villegas, Jonjon Martin, Luau Sablan, Mark Tayag, Mian Dimacali, Miguel Vazquez, Nikki Guevara, Peachy Atilano, Sab Jose, Shelyn Tayanes and Sylveth Ong-iko.
Robbie Guevara, one of 9 Works Theatricals’s founders, will be directing The Wedding Singer. He has performed in numerous productions both here and abroad, and was the director of Songs for a New Theatrical World and Rent, The Musical (both were 9 Works Theatrical productions) and many other plays and musical for Repertory Philippines, Blue Repertory and the Philippine Opera Co.
The artistic team includes musical director Rodel Colmenar conducting the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, choreographer Francis Matheu, musical director for vocals Onyl Torres, scenographer Mio Infante, lighting designer Martin Esteva, sound designer Chuck Ledesma and costume stylist Rossana Aranaz.
The play dates are on Oct. 23, 24, 29-31, Nov. 5-7, 13 and 14. Showtime on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are 8 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m.
For details, call 586-7105, 557-5860, 0917-554-5560 or visit www.9workstheatrical.com or call TicketWorld at 891-9999.
Catch the Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy
on November 7, 2010 (Sunday) 8 PM @ The Meralco Theater
Contact Us:
Borgy Marzan (0922.888.5344)
Onay Sales (0918.536.2116)
Robert Marzan (0922.888.5348)
Onay Sales (0918.536.2116)
Robert Marzan (0922.888.5348)
Email: watchplays@yahoo.com
To view available seats, click here:
