After watching Cinderella, I knew I have to watch also this play as well. I love plays that bring out great musical repertoire at the same time sharing fundamental issues like racial discrimination. It is interesting to know if the Stages version of the classic West Side Story will stay true to the Mexican-American feud theme or turn out to be Filipino-American now. Could it be!!! Who knows?? This I know for sure… Something’s coming, something good, if I can wait! Something’s coming, I don’t know what it is, But it is gonna be great!
From PEP, here is the synopsis:
SYNOPSIS. West Side Story transports the classic tale of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the turbulent streets of the Upper West Side in 1950’s New York City. Star-crossed lovers, Tony (Christian) and Maria (Karylle or Joanna), find themselves caught between the rival street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, the “Jets,” led by Riff (Magdangal), and the “Sharks,” led by Bernardo (Macapagal or Singson). The young lovers’ struggle to exist together in a world of violence, hate, and prejudice is one of the most heart-rending, relevant, and innovative musical masterpieces originally conceived for the stage by director and choreographer Jerome Robbins.
Here is some more info about the play from http://blog.sanriotown.com
“West Side Story,” Stages’ major musical offering in 2008, is all set to go on stage with an assembly of a strong cast headlined by Christian Bautista, Karylle, and London West End’s Joanna Ampil; a live orchestra with Gerard Salonga as musical director; and a first-rate artistic team with Audie Gemora as executive producer, and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as director.
After rigid auditions that took two months, whose mix of aspirants emerged not only from the Philippines but also from other countries like Singapore, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, STAGES has finally completed its cast of singers and dancers.
Balladeer Christian Bautista is given the role of Tony. He is tall, handsome, and has the makings of a perfect romantic leading man.
Singer and actress Karylle could match Natalie Wood’s film version of Maria. Â She is young and beautiful. Â She sings her songs with utmost conviction.
Meanwhile, the Philippines will get the rare chance to watch Joanna Ampil in her first musical theater assignment in Manila after sixteen years playing lead roles in London.
Joanna has agreed to share the role of Maria with Karylle because she has long wanted to perform for her kababayans who cannot easily afford to go to London to watch her in a musical.
Local audiences have to see why Joanna is a favorite of British producer Cameron Mackintosh. Â Joanna, at one time, was even handpicked by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to play Mary Magdalene in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Gian Magdangal as Riff returns to the theater after a three-year hiatus. He is seen in the reality show “Philippine Idol” on ABC 5, and “SOP Rules” on GMA 7.
Another world-class import, Filipino Australian Rowena Vilar, who played Kim, Gigi, and Ellen in the recent Australian tour of “Miss Saigon,” joins the cast of “West Side Story.” A Highly recommended by Leo Valdez, who played The Engineer in “Miss Saigon,” Rowena will be flying in to share the role of the feisty Anita with local theater and pop artist Pam G.
Since “West Side Story” is primarily a dance musical, the artistic team had to call professional dance groups, and handpick very strong dancers for the supporting cast. Rest assured that the show would be a night of great dancing. Jazz choreographer James Laforteza is tasked to reconstruct Jerome Robbins’ original choreography in the Broadway production.
It is interesting to note that musical director Gerard Salonga has been longing to do “West Side Story.” Lea Salonga’s husband Rob Chien, who now manages the FILharmoniKA orchestra under Ambient Media, went the extra mile to make it possible for them to play for the production.
“West Side Story” is one of the best musicals of all time with music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is a beautiful, dramatic dance musical with many show-stopping numbers and immortal songs like “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” “One Hand One Heart,” “America,” and “Something’s Coming.”
STAGES’ production of  ”West Side Story” is its third major musical production after “Footloose” in 2005 and “High School Musical On
Stage” in 2007.
West Side Story runs at Meralco Theater on Sept. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or STAGES at 818-1111 loc. 225.
Ticket prices are at:
P1,200 (orchestra / loge center)
P1,000 (orchestra / loge side)
P700 (balcony center)
P500 (balcony side)
Reserve early so you can get good seats! I am already scheduled at October 11, 2008, 3pm.
(‘o’) – jupiterboi out…
