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Showing posts with label Bobby Garcia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bobby Garcia. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Cameron Mackintosh announces open call auditions for "Miss Saigon"



Cameron Mackintosh announces Open Call Auditions in Manila for various upcoming global productions of Miss Saigon, the record breaking production that is taking London by storm and opens on Broadway in 2017.  Auditions will be represented and facilitated in Manila by Bobby Garcia and Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) and held  at the Opera Haus (3657 Bautista St., Makati City.)



“Miss Saigon’s producing and creative team will be flying in from London to hold auditions for various upcoming global productions of the hit musical. I look forward to working with them in discovering a new generation of Filipino talent to shine on the international stage in Miss Saigon the way Lea Salonga, Leo Valdez, JonJon Briones, Joanna Ampil and Rachelle Ann Go, among many others, have in the past.” says Garcia. who was also an Associate Director for Miss Saigon.

“We are searching for Kim, The Engineer, Thuy, Gigi and all Asian Roles in the musical. We are looking for leads and ensemble, as well as acrobatic dancers.  We encourage performers throughout  the Asian region to come to Manila and audition for Miss Saigon.” added Garcia.

All applicants must be 16 - 40 years old with strong singing voices (all vocal ranges) and proficient in the English language.  Some dance movement experience preferred.  For registration, bring your photo and CV.  For auditions, prepare 16 bars of a song from MISS SAIGON (a pianist will be provided to accompany you at auditions.)  Otherwise, bring your own music scores or CD.

Registration dates are on March 11 and 12 from 10am - 6pm at the Opera Haus, 3657 Bautista Street (near the corner of Buendia), Makati City.  Auditions are on March 15 and 16 from 10am to 7pm also at the Opera Haus.

Trevor Jackson, Head of Casting for Cameron Mackintosh, said "Since casting for Miss Saigon began in the mid 1980's the Philippines has been integral to the show as a place to find exceptional Asian performers of World Class ability. Our teams have been returning regularly ever since. Filipino artists are the heart and soul of this show.”

"Miss Saigon,” a sung-through musical, features music by "Les MisĂ©rables" collaborators Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, and lyrics by Boublil and "Closer Than Ever's" Richard Maltby, Jr. with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler, based on Giacomo Puccini's popular opera "Madame Butterfly.”


For more information contact (0995) 534-8371 or like the MISS SAIGON 2016 AUDITIONS page on Facebook.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Lea Salonga to play Helen Bechdel in "Fun Home"




Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) is proud to announce that Tony Award winning Broadway star Lea Salonga will be playing Helen Bechdel in the first international production of FUN HOME, which opens in Manila in November 2016.

FUN HOME is the most awarded and acclaimed musical of the year, winning 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical.  When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires.


FUN HOME is a based on Alison Bechdel's best-selling graphic memoir, FUN HOME features music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The New York Times calls it, “THE BEST NEW MUSICAL TO OPEN ON BROADWAY.”   Both, Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron, who won the Tony Award this year for, are scheduled to grace FUN HOME’s Opening Night in Manila next year.

FUN HOME will mark Lea’s first musical in Manila since she played Grizabella in CATS in 2010.  Her last stage appearance in Manila was in Atlantis Productions’ critically acclaimed play GOD OF CARNAGE in 2012.  She is currently appearing as Kei in the Broadway musical ALLEGIANCE, where she garnered rave reviews.

Bobby Garcia (Saturday Night Fever, The Bridges of Madison County), who will be directing FUN HOME, says, “Dreams do come true, It is an honor to be able to stage FUN HOME in Manila with Lea Salonga as Helen.  It is a ground breaking musical that needs to be seen by audiences all over the world.  I am thrilled that it will premiere internationally in Manila and that we will be welcoming Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron to our Opening Night. We hope you will all come to the FUN HOME next year.”

ATEG producers Tony Tuviera and Bobby Barreiro say, “It is with great pride that we welcome Lea Salonga to FUN HOME. A Tony Award winner in a Tony Award winning musical.   Our dreams have come true and we know FUN HOME will be a momentous theatrical event in Manila.”

The New York producers of FUN HOME issued a statement saying, “We’re thrilled to have the first international production of ‘Fun Home’ confirmed for the Philippines, and how exciting to have Lea Salonga, one of Broadway’s most beloved stars, leading the company,” 

ATEG recently presented the first leg of  the new international production of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, which played Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It currently has THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY running in Manila until December 6 and will also have JERSEY BOYS opening in 2016.


 For more information follow ATEG on Facebook at ATEGasia.



Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Fall in love all over again for The Bridges of Madison County Musical




It was years ago when I had a chance to watch The  Bridges of Madison County,  a Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood starrer (the movie was shown 1995).  I remember crying for 2 consecutive hours from that unforgettable scene wherein Francesca Johnson beautifully acted by Meryl Streep, was forced to choose between Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) and her family.   I wanted them to stay together, to give love a chance. Am I the only one who feel that way? But Francesca's love for her family won in the end. It was a 4-day love affair, but it was intense and fierce, you could feel the emotion between the two characters.



After the movie, I finally read the book  5 years ago and finished it in 3 hours.  The scene flashback before me, and I wanted to see the movie again, luckily, there is a musical adaptation that is coming on November 20 that will run until December 6, 2015.

Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) and Metrobank Card Corporation launches the Tony Award winning musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY with lead actors Joanna Ampil and MiG Ayesa last November 3. The presscon was held at Oakwood Premier, ADB Ortigas.








THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY is set to open on November 20 and run until December 6 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Leading the cast as Francesca and Robert are two iconic performers of the international musical theatre stage, Joanna Ampil and MiG Ayesa.


Fresh from the success of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, which recently concluded the first leg of its Asian Tour, ATEG brings you THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, one of the most romantic stories ever written. Now an irresistible, two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It’s an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.




This brand new production features gorgeous, soulful music by Tony Award winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) that draws upon the rich textures of Americana and folk and the sweeping, expressive balladry of classic Broadway. The Daily News hails it as “one of Broadway’s best scores in the last decade.”





Joanna Ampil, who rose to stardom in London’s West End as Kim in Miss Saigon, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar Eponine and Fantine in Les Miz and Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, says of her latest role, “It will be my first musical in Manila after a long hiatus. The last one was The Sound of Music in 2012. I'm hungry for a new challenge and this role of Francesca will certainly give me that challenge, stretch and creativity that I'm always craving for as an artist. Jason Robert Brown and I performed in London sometime ago way before he wrote Bridges and to be able to play a lead in one of his works will be a wonderful experience; because I know that he writes some amazing stuff. I look forward to sharing the stage with MiG Ayesa, also. But, the thing that appealed to me the most was the idea of working for ATLANTIS for the first time and being directed by Bobby Garcia.”



MiG Ayesa, who performed the role of Stacee Jaxx in ROCK OF AGES on Broadway and in Manila, says, “I am so thrilled to be returning to the Manila stage with this production of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. The score written by Jason Robert Brown is so breathtakingly beautiful it has to be considered a modern classic, and well deserved of the Tony Awards it received. I cannot wait to show such a different side to me, as the last time Manila audiences saw me was as the crazed rocker ‘Stacee Jaxx’ in ROCK OF AGES. The chance to be working opposite such a world class performer such as Jo Ampil, as well as under the direction of Bobby Garcia, promises to be an experience I will never forget. This will be my second stage production with ATEG, and it has always been a labour of love in that camp. Any excuse to visit the Philippines is worth the work! I cannot think of a better way than to return with such a production as beautiful as this.”


Bobby Garcia, who directs the musical, says. “I am thrilled to have two of the finest musical theatre performers breathe vibrant life into these iconic characters. Creating this show with Joanna and MiG
has been an extremely rewarding creative experience and I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing these parts. Jason Robert Brown’s score for BRIDGES is one of the most glorious musical theatre scores in recent memory. What a joy to hear it everyday in rehearsals. It is an honor to be able to stage this show for Manila audiences”


Also in the cast are Carla Guevara-Laforteza in the dual role of Marian and Chiara, Nino Alejandro as Bud, Emeline Celis-Guinid as Marge, Jamie Wilson as Charile, Bibo Reyes as Michael and Mikkie Bradshaw as Caroline. Joining them in the ensemble are Steven Conde, Nel Gomez, Franz Imperial, Yanah Laurel, Abi Sulit and Teetin Villanueva.


THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY is directed by Bobby Garcia, Choreography by Cecile Martinez, Musical Direction by Ceejay Javier, Set Design by Faust Peneyra, Lighting Design by JonJon Villareal, Costume Design by Eric Pineda, Hair and Make Up Design by Johann dela Fuente and Vocal Direction by ManMan Angsico.


The unforgettable story about love, passion and choices that BRIDGE to a second chance is brought to you by ABS-CBN, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Delta Airlines, Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila, Chrysler Philippines, Retro DCG-FM, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Crossover, Mellow 94.7 Sounds Good!, Portfolio Studios, Hit Productions Inc., Center of Aesthetic Studies, and Lynelle Hair Fashion.


Get your tickets now for what is destined to be the most romantic musical of the year! Tickets for THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY are available at Ticketworld at 891-9999.





Thursday, July 2, 2015

Saturday Night Fever Asian Tour Kicks Off on July 3, at The Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino






The 1970's are back again! If I have to choose a fashion statement that Id like to have a come back. It would be the 70s.  The 70s was the coolest in terms of bottom pants, suedes, platforms, high waisted pair of flares, the wrap-up dress of Diana Von Furstenberg, the Bo Derek Look, the afro (hair),  hippies, make up, and of course the Saturday Night Fever which opened its way for Disco dance revolution and launched the career of John Travolta, Bee Gees  and the rest is history. Now its time to relive the 70s, dance your way to Tony Manero's heart, tell your parents, titos and titas about the SNF musical and they will surely thank you for that.

Saturday Night Fever the Musical, launched the show'a full cast led by principal casts Brandon Rubendall as Tony Manero and Jenna Rubaii as Stephanie Mangano last June 25 at Eclipse , Solaire Resort and Casino. The Asian Tour kicks off on July 3 at The Theatre, Solaire Resort and Casino.

Based on the wildly popular film of the same name, which starred Oscar nominated actor John Travolta, SATURDAY NIGHT FIVER depicts the uncompromising sordid 1970’s New York that not only made a dance revolution at that time, but also spoke straight to a generation of lost, struggling young adults.





It tells the story of Italian-American Tony Manero (Rubendall) and his gang in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn who are stuck in dead-end jobs but rule the dance floor at the local discotheque 2001 Odyssey. Tony is a tough cookie; he dreams of becoming the disco king and escaping the mean streets of Brooklyn.
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER opened in the West End at the London Palladium in 1998 and on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre in 1999.  It has been seen by more than 10 million people with over 2,800 shows in more than 20 countries across the globe, thrilling theatergoers and music buffs alike till this very day.




Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group, Ten Bridges Media Corp., and Robert Stigwood Organisation, the producers behind the new Asian Tour of the West End and Broadway hit musical SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, are delighted to reveal the show's full cast, led by previously announced principal casts Brandon Rubendall as Tony Manero and Jenna Rubaii as Stephanie Mangano.

Rubendall and Rubaii will be joined by Mikkie Bradshaw as Annette, Bibo Reyes as Bobby C, Nick Varricchio as Double J and Tony understudy, Nel Gomez as Joey, Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Club Singer and Flo Manero, Jamie Wilson as Monty and Frank Manero, Rafa Siguion-Reyna as Frank Manero Jr., Atair Alonso as Jay, Frank Jr. and Double J understudy, Marie Rose as Latin Dancer, Daniel Cabrera as Latin Dancer and Jay understudy, Steven Conde as Fosco and Frank Sr. understudy, Alex Godinez as Linda Manero, Jim Ferrer as Bobby C and Joey understudy, Emeline Celis-Guinid as Flo, Yanah Laurel as Connie and Annette understudy, and Earle Figuracion as Becker.



Lito Cipriano, Chinie Concepcion, and Japs Treopaldo are part of the ensemble.
Michael Carandang and Cecil Martinez are swings.

Also previously announced, this Asian Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER—its first in eight years—which features a revamped script that's close to the gritty spirit of the the '70s landmark film  and some of the greatest hits of The Bee Gees such as “Stayin' Alive,” “Night Fever,” “Jive Talkin',” “You Should Be Dancing,” and “How Deep is Your Love,” kicks off at The Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino (Aseana Avenue, Paranaque, Manila) from July 3 to 26.
Perfomances are also set at Istana Budaya (Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) from September 4 to 13 and at MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands (10 Bayfront Ave., Singapore) from September 25 to October 4.



Multi-awarded director Bobby Garcia, Broadway choreographer Vince Pesce, Tony Award-winning scenic designer David Gallo, Broadway lighting designer Paul Miller (who worked on the original production of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER), costume designer Eric Pineda, sound designer Michael Waters, technical director Richard Martin, projection designer GA Fallarme, and musical director Ceejay Javier comprise the Asian  Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER's first-rate creative team.



About the Cast

Brandon Rubendall has appeared on Broadway in “Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark” and the 2011 revival of the Tony Award-winning musical “Anything Goes.”  Rubendall has also toured in the productions of “Wicked,” playing the romantic lead role of Fiyero; “Hairspray,” playing the roles of Fender and the lead hunk, Link Larkin; and “The Last 5 Years,” playing the role of up-and-coming novelist Jamie Wellerstein. He currently plays in the band Apollo Link, and occasionally dances for music icons Madonna, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez.




Jenna Rubaii has appeared in the National (U.S.) and International Tour of Green Day’s hit musical “American Idiot,” playing the role of The Extraordinary Girl. For 12 years—starting at six years old—she joined the all-girls song and dance group Entertainment Revue, which traveled across the U.S. to perform in various corporate and sporting events, retirement communities, fundraisers, and political rallies.  She’s an excellent impersonator of famous pop singer Britney Spears.

Mikkie Bradshaw played the title role in the first international staging of “Carrie The Musical.” She also appeared in the Manila productions of “The Sound of Music,” “Rock of Ages,” “Nine,” Disney's “Aladdin,” and “The Addams Family.”

Bibo Reyes made his professional theater debut playing the role of Sonny in the Asian premiere of Tony Award-winning Best Musical “In the Heights.” He also appeared in the Manila production of “Rock of Ages” and the Singapore production of “Avenue Q.”

Nick Varricchio flew all the way from New York City and is così eccitato to be performing with this awesome cast! His theater credits include “A Chorus Line” (Al) and “The Light in the Piazza” (Giuseppe). He also appeared in Paramount's 2011 Nickelodeon film ”Fun Size” (Jonathon) or as AXE Body Spray's “The Attendant.”

Nel Gomez recently top-billed Manila Shakespeare Company's production of William Shakespeare's “Romeo & Juliet.” His other professional theater credits include “Shrek The Musical” (Pinocchio), “Grease” (Sonny), “The Glass Managerie (Tim Wingfield), “The Producers” (Ensemble), and “Carrie The Musical” (Freddy).

Carla Guevara-Laforteza has performed internationally in London's West End “Miss Saigon” (Kim), Singapore's “Avenue Q” (Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut), and “Spelling Bee” (Olive). Other theater credits include “Song and Dance” (Emma), “You're A Good Man Charlie Brown” (Lucy),  “Company” (Marta), “The King and I” (Tuptim), and “Nine” (Carla).

Jamie Wilson began his professional theater career at the tender age of seven years old, playing Theo in Repertory Philippines' production of “Pippin.” Since then he has made the stage his home, appearing in numerous musicals and straight plays and tackling a wide range of characters in his 35 years as an actor. Theater credits include “Camelot” (Tom of Warwick),  “A Midsummer Night's Dream” (Nick Bottom), “Speed-The-Plow” (Bobby Gould), “Angels in America” (Belize/Mr. Lies), “Cabaret” (Emcee), and “Into The Woods” (The Wolf, Cinderella's Prince).

Rafa Siguion-Reyna, an alumnus of New York University, moved back to the Philippines in the summer of 2013 to pursue an acting career. A finalist in TV5’s “Celebrity Dance Battle,” his acting credits include Kenickie in 9 Works Theatrical’s production of “Grease”; Mercedes the Magnificent in 9 Works Theatrical’s “La Cage aux Folles“; Ric in GMA Network’s Primetime show “Niño”; Baldo in GMA Network’s “Yagit”; Ferdie in the independent film “Toto”; and Ricky in the film “Hari ng Tondo,” an official selection to the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

Altair Alonso starred in “The Little Mermaid” as Prince Christian, which toured in a cruise ship across Asia in 2010 and covered as Tommy Basilio in “Rivalry: The 2nd Round.” Currently with Atlantis, Altair has performed in "In the Heights,” Disney's “The Little Mermaid,” Disney's "Aladdin,” "The Full Monty,” "Piaf,” "The Addams Family,” "Rock of Ages,” and "Shrek The Musical.”

Mary Rose, born and raised in New York City, received her BFA in dance from Rutgers University. She was a semi-finalist on the Latino singing competition “Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento” and can also be seen in commercials for GAP and Direct TV.  Marie was recently part of the workshop for the Netflix series “The Get Down.”

Daniel Cabrera has been part of musical theater productions such as “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” “Pinocchio,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Cinderella,” Disney's “High School Musical Onstage,” and “Footloose.”

Steven Conde started acting with Chancel Repertory Theatre in 1999. Some of his theater credits include Trumpets' “The Little Mermaid” and “The Bluebird of Happiness” and Atlantis Productions' Disney's “Aladdin,” “The Full Monty,” “Ghost The Musical,” and “Shrek The Musical.”

Alex Godinez took the stage as Sharpay Evans in the Manila production of Disney's “High School Musical Onstage” in 2007. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Los Angeles to study music and dance at Musician's Institute in Hollywood and trained different acting methods under world-renowned mentors Howard Fine and Anthony Meindl.

Jim Ferrer recently made his London Theatre debut via the National Theatre production of “Here Lies Love.” Other theater credits include Disney's “High School Musical Onstage,” Disney's “Camp Rock,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Maxie The Musical,” “Legally Blonde,” and Disney's “Tarzan.” Jim also did wig styling in Atlantis' productions of “Nine” and “Rock of Ages.”

Emeline Celis-Guinid is a proud full-time mother.  Her theater credits include “Grease,” “Once On This Island,” “Rama at Sita,” “Wanders,” and “Rock of Ages.”

Yanah Laurel is a two-time Aliw Award nominee for Best Actress in a Musical. Theater credits include “Spring Awakening,” “Legally Blonde,” Disney's “The Little Mermaid,” “Nine,” “Carrie,” and “Shrek.” She was also part of Resorts World Manila and Star Cruises Gemini's “Broadway At Sea,” which toured Singapore and Malaysia.

Japs Treopaldo is a proud Thomasian where she got her first training in dance and theater  from UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe and Teatro Tomasino. Theater credits include “Legally Blonde,” “In The Heights,” Disney's “The Little Mermaid,” “Rock of Ages,” “Nine,” Disney's “Aladdin,” and “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”

Lito Cipriano is part of the Hotlegs Dance Company, which has been featured in concerts starring Filipino pop artists Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya, Pops Fernandez, Lani Misalucha and Erik Santos.  He also earlier appeared in a production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Chinie Concepcion completed BA in Musical Theatre from Singapore’s Lasalle College of the Arts, with First Class Honours, last year. While in Singapore, she was tapped to act in Media Corp.’s “Crime Watch” and in several corporate videos and events. She has performed with Repertory Philippines (“Sleeping Beauty,” “Oliver!,” “Once Upon A Mattress”), 9Works Theatricals (“Sweet Charity,” “The Wedding Singer”), and Trumpets (“The Little Mermaid,” “Joseph the Dreamer,” “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”), among others.

Michael Carandang, who dances with The Hotlegs and Dancemasters, was trained as a dancer way back when The Metropolitan Theater in Manila was still open. He was also part of the opening team in Hong Kong Disneyland, where he played chorus dancer for "The Festival of the Lion King.”

Cecile Martinez is definitely thrilled with SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, where she dons three different hats: Assistant Choreographer, Dance Captain, and Female Swing. The challenge is extensive as she is involved both in the creation and execution of the show featuring a powerhouse cast of local and foreign actors. She has choreographed for Atlantis' “Hairspray,” “Legally Blonde,” “Xanadu” Disney's “Tarzan,” “Rock of Ages,” “The Addams Family,” Disney's “Aladdin,” “Ghost The Musical,” “Carrie The Musical,” “In The Heights,” Disney's “Aida,” “Shrek,” Disney's “The Little Mermaid,” “Nine,” and “The Full Monty.”

For tickets to SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER in Manila, call Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group at (632) 650 5144 or (63917) 8381534; or  visit TicketWorld at ticketworld.com.ph.
Saturday Night Fever The Musical is presented by PLDT and Citibank in cooperation with ABS-CBN, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Crossover, Mellow 94.7 Sound Good, Retro DCG-FM, Makati Diamond Residences, First Unitel Travel, Portfolio Studios.
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