Maxie: A Musical to Love

I first heard about the plans to stage the live theater adaptation of the successful indie film "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" last 2012 and finally, it's here!  

The theater scene welcomed Bit by Company's production of "Maxie the Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" as it opened to the public last November 8, 2013.  "Maxie" is the coming-of-age musical about a gay teen who is torn between his love for a young cop and his loyalty to his family.

Based on Michiko Yamamoto's screenplay (ufo Pictures, 2005), "Maxie" features book and lyrics by Nicolas B. Pichay, music by William Elvin Manzano, JJ Pimpinio and Janine Santos, and direction and choreography by Dexter M. Santos.

I know about the film but I was not able to watch it in its entirety so I had an almost blank canvass for my mind when I watched the press preview at the PETA Theater Center.  The stage design, meant to portray a slice of life in Sampaloc, Manila, was simple but every nook and cranny was utilized to its fullest with the various scenes that came to fruition.  The songs reflect the true to life events that take place daily in an oppressed neighborhood -- episodes of people trying to earn a living through decent and otherwise means.

The cast was a well-put together group that's a mix of experienced and new talents: Jayvhot Galang (Maxie), Roeder Camanag and Nazer Salcedo (alternating as Paco Oliveros, Maxie's father), Jojo Riguerra (Victor Perez, the policeman love interest of Maxie), Al Gatmaitan and OJ Mariano (alternating as Boy Oliveros, Maxie's brother) and Hay Gonzaga (Bogs Oliveros, Maxie's other brother).  The other cast members are Aaron Ching (Nar), Nomer Limatog, Jr. (Leslie), Teetin Villanueva (Monique), Eo de Guzman and Merdin Mojica (alternating as Peter), and Greg de Leon (Chief Dominguez).  The ensemble is composed of Ruth Alferez, John Paul Basco, Jules dela Paz, Irene Delarmente, Elliot Eustacio, Karyl Factora, Jim Andrew Ferrer, Francelle Fetalvero, Al Bernard Garcia, Jeffrey Hernandez, Ronah Rostata, and Christian Velarde.

14-year old Galang, who has been joining singing contests in various barangays and in a reality-search TV show, is a theater newbie.  His raw but powerful singing prowess bagged him the title role of Maxie and he joined the PETA Summer Acting Workshop to prepare for the challenges that come with the role.  As Maxie, Galang was charming, funny and seemed to belt out the songs effortlessly. Riguerra, on the other hand, was fit to the role of Victor, the young policeman who is uncorrupted by the system and Maxie's apple of the eye.

What's my favorite part of the play? Aside from the scene where Maxie meets Victor, is the BeauCon or beauty contest which is an integral thing for every community.  I love the contestants' transformation and the talent portion which was more of a production number for each candidate.  Overall, "Maxie" is a production that was conceived and staged with the heart and soul of all those involved that I didn't feel shortchanged but rather felt wanting to watch it one more time.

"Maxie the Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" will run until December 8, 2013, with shows on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 8 pm and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm.  All performances are at the PETA Theater Center, No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.



Filed under EVENTS

Forbidden Broadway: Musical Parody At Its Best

I have blogged about "Forbidden Broadway" last month as a teaser, having been invited to the press launch for a taste of things to come.  For those reading about the play for the first time, let me give you a capsule of what the fuzz is all about.

"Forbidden Broadway" is what New Yorkers call "the funniest show in New York" and is the Off-Broadway smash hit that is all about spoofing show tunes, characters and plots of contemporary and current Broadway musicals. Conceived, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini, a then unemployed actor who wanted a showcase for his talents.  The original show opened in January 1982 in New York. The show has mocked popular shows like The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Les Miserables, Mama Mia!, Cats, Hairspray, and Rent, among others.  It also targets famous Broadway actors, writers, composers, directors, choreographers and producers but you'll have to watch the show to know who these are. 

Upstart Productions, through the talented actor, writer, director and producer Joel Trinidad, brings this musical parody to Manila for a limited run this May 2012.  "Forbidden Broadway" is a two-act, four-person show, with two men and two women playing pivotal roles and playing about 20 or more roles individually. The four actors who were tapped for the show are Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez and OJ Mariano.

The fab four (l-r): Caisa Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez, Liesl Batucan and OJ Mariano  

At the recent press preview, I was somewhere in-between knowing what the show was about and anticipating which Broadway musicals and personalities are going to be spoofed plus the variety of costume changes that had to be done quickly throughout the show.  Boy, what I witnessed I wasn't ready for and so I kept on laughing the whole time without the guilt of offending those on the other side of the globe. As Joel Trinidad shared, "Forbidden Broadway pokes fun at all the big hits of Broadway, but in a good-natured way that's never petty and mean." 

I loved everything in the show but my most favorite was the "Wicked" suite.  Watch out for the witch, the cute flying monkeys and the...as much as I'd like to share the wackiest scene ever, I have to restrain myself in divulging too much, so I leave this to your imagination.  I also loved "Annie," "The Phantom of the Opera," and the showdown of Rita Moreno and Chita Rivera because of "West Side Story."

Liesl, Caisa, Lorenz and OJ -- all of whom I've seen perform in previous productions -- were all naturally funny! I wonder how they were able to finish the show without bursting into laughter or even breaking into a grin?  With a script that's so hilarious, if I was one of the cast, I can imagine myself giggling and choking midway through songs.  Kudos to the four talented cast members for being great and disciplined performers. I also commend the lone pianist, Dingdong Fiel, who provided good music and crazy antics as well.  


As mentioned in my previous post, guest artists like Aiza Seguerra, Nyoy Volante, Jett Pangan, and many more will be popping on stage but only one surprise guest per show.  Luckily, the special guest at the preview is none other than respected actor Noel Trinidad, who delayed his trip abroad just to participate in his son's (yes, he is Joel's father) show for the first time ever.

The cast with the night's special guest Mr. Noel Trinidad (center)

and here with director Mr. Joel Trinidad (center)

"Forbidden Broadway" will run from May 11 to 27, 2012 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm.  Venue will be at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC PLaza, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.


Related Reading: A Good Kind of Forbidden

Filed under SHOWS

A Good Kind of Forbidden

Anything "forbidden" is almost always desired. Who can resist peeking at a surprise gift? Or eating another slice of sweet cake when no one is looking? I guess it is the challenge posed by the "forbidden pleasures" that our natural curiosity and persistence can't overcome at times.

When an invitation to join the press launch of "Forbidden Broadway" came my way, I was immediately curious to know what it is all about.  It turns out that it is what New Yorkers call "the funniest show in New York and is the upcoming offering of Upstart Productions this May 2012 -- the Off-Broadway smash hit that is all about spoofing show tunes, characters and plots of contemporary and current Broadway musicals.

Upstart Productions' Joel Trinidad

And who on earth came up it such an idea?  "Forbidden Broadway" was conceived, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini, a then unemployed actor who wanted a showcase for his talents.  The original show opened in January 1982 in New York. The show has mocked popular shows like The Phantom of theOpera, Wicked, Les Miserables, Mama Mia!, Cats, Hairspray, and Rent, among others.  It also targets famous Broadway actors, writers, composers, directors, choreographers and producers but I'm not revealing names now so you'd be curious enough to watch the show instead.

Liesl Batucan and Lorenz Martinez

OJ Mariano and Caisa Borromeo

As to how "Forbidden Broadway" found its way to Philippine shores can be credited to Upstart Productions' Joel Trinidad, who is directing the show. Mr. Trinidad caught the show when he was in New York a couple of years ago and he shares, "I love Forbidden Broadway because it pokes fun at all the big hits of Broadway, but in a good-natured way that's never petty and mean."  The full length, 2 acts show is like watching 20 or more Broadway musicals in one go and because it is well-written, the viewers need not be familiar with any of the featured musical to be able to appreciate the show.

"Forbidden Broadway" is a four-person show, with two men and two women playing pivotal roles, and the four actors who were tapped for the show are Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez and OJ Mariano. As Mr. Trinidad relayed at the press conference, "More than just great singers, dancers and actors, I needed performers who could be funny without trying."  I agree on that a hundred percent because comic timing is something we are born with: either we have it or we don't.  "I'm happy to say that my cast members -- Liesl, Caisa, Lorenz and OJ -- are all great performers who are definitely born with it," affirms Mr. Trinidad, referring to the cast as being naturally funny.    


Watch this short video clip I took of their spoof of Rent's Season of Love:

To spice up every performance, guest artists like Aiza Seguerra, Nyoy Volante, Jett Pangan, and many more will be popping on stage but only one surprise guest per show.

"Forbidden Broadway" will run from May 11 to 27, 2012 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm.  Venue will be at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC PLaza, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.


Stay tuned for updates to this show.

Filed under SHOWS

Be Part of the Little Mermaid's World

In my blog entry "From Under the Sea to the Stage" in May this year, I already posted some teaser information about the upcoming stage adaptation of Disney's The Little Mermaid animated film, based on the fairy tale by Hans christian Andersen.

Now the play is ready to roll, having completed an impressive cast lead by Rachelle Ann Go as Ariel and Erik Santos as Prince Eric.

Rachelle Ann Go as Ariel

Erik Santos as Prince Eric

Other top calibre talents joining The Little Mermaid are Jinky Llamanzares as Ursula, OJ Mariano as the loyal crab Sebastian, Calvin Millado as King Triton, Lee Viloria as bubbly Flounder, Enrique Canoy as Scuttle, Felix Rivera as Flotsam, Jamie Barcelon as Jetsam, Raymond Concepcion as Grimsby and Juliene Mendoza as Chef Louis.

Jinky Llamanzares as Ursula

OJ Mariano as Sebastian

Calvin Millado as King Triton

Produced by Atlantis Productions and to be directed by Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga, The Little Mermaid will run from Nov. 18 to Dec. 11 at the Meralco Theater. Get your tickets now and be serenaded by popular songs -- Part of Your World, Kiss the Girl and the Academy Award-winning Best Original Song, Under the Sea — by the renowned songwriting team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

For inquiries and reservation, call Claire of Atlantis Productions at 892 7078 or 840 1187 or visit their website atwww.atlantisproductionsinc.com.

Filed under SHOWS