MANILA, Philippines – Atlantis Productions has gathered a stellar cast for its upcoming staging of the acclaimed musical play Piaf by Pam Gems opening March 8, 2013. The new version of Piaf, staged at London’s prestigious Donmar Warehouse before a West End transfer in 2008, features a reworked version of Pam Gems’ classic 1978 play which was first performed with The Royal Shakespeare Company and incorporates over 25 of Edith Piaf’s songs including La Vie En Rose, Hymn of Love, and Non, Je non regrette rien. Piaf is directed by Bobby Garcia, who marks 20 years of directing this year.

Piaf also marks the return to the stage of award winning stage, television and film actress Pinky Amador, who celebrates her 30th year in the business. Last seen on stage in The Sound of Music, Pinky also recently appeared as Salvacion and Woman 2 in “You Can Never Can Tell,” a creative development project for Coloma Projects in Sydney, Australia.

Joining Pinky on stage is film and television actress Giselle Töngi-Walters, who makes her musical theater debut in Piaf. Also in the cast are acclaimed musical theater actress Ima Castro, Jamie Wilson, Reuben Uy, Altair Alonso, Hans Eckstein, Mako Alonso, Nel Gomez and fast rising indie actor Sandino Martin.

Director Bobby Garcia says, “I have been obsessed with Edith Piaf, her life and music, for several years now. Her music speaks directly to me somehow and I have read every book there is about her. It has been a thrill working with the fantastic ensemble of Piaf, each and everyone a brilliant and dynamic actor. It has especially been a joy to collaborate with Pinky Amador, one the the finest actresses we have, in creating the life of a woman we both passionately respect and admire.”

Piaf features set design by Faust Peneyra, lighting design by Martin Esteva, hair and makeup creation by Johann dela Feunte, musical direction by Ceejay Javier, and vocal coaching by ManMan Angsico.

Piaf runs from March 8 to 23 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. For information, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078.

Due to strong language and sexual situations parental guidance is suggested.

From the streets of Paris to worldwide fame, Edith Gassion (known as ‘PIAF’, the sparrow) continues to be remembered and revered for her exceptional voice and extraordinary life.

In this new version of PIAF, which premiered at London’s Donmar Warehouse in 2008 before transferring to the West End. Pam Gems has reworked her classic 1978 play, vivily capturing the glamour and squalor, the rise and fall of this complex, fragile and enigmatic performer.

Featuring over 25 of Edith Piaf’s most famous songs including La Vie en Rose, Autumn Leaves, Hymn a I’amour and the iconic Non, je ne regretted tiene, PIAF brings back to the stage one of the country’s finest stage actresses, Pinky Amador.

July12 – 28, 2013

With a book by Chris D’Arienzo, built around classic rock hits from the 1980’s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of the decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Asia, among other well-known rock bands.

The show was nominated for five Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical for Constantine Maroulis, Best Direction of a Musical for Kristin Hanggi, Best Costume Design for Gregory Gale, and Best Sound Design for Peter Hylenski.

Director and choreographer Adam Shankman is currently working on the movie adaptation set to be released in the summer of 2012. Tom Cruise stars as Stacee Jaxx with Russell Brand, Alex Baldwin and Mary J. Blige in the role of Justice Charlier.

The Manila production will feature Filipino-Australian Mig Ayesa in the role of Stacee Jaxx – the same role he portrayed recently in Broadway and in the First US National Tour.

Mig Ayesa was one of the final 3 competitors in CBS’ Rockstar INXS. He also played the character of Galileo Figaro in the musical We Will Rock You, which is based entirely on Queen Material. He also appeared in Rent by Jonathan Larson on London’s West End in 2002, playing the role of Angel.

CARRIE White is a misfit. At school, she’s an outcast who’s bullied by popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s at the mercy of her loving but cruelly over – protective mother. But CARRIE’s just discovered she’s got special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it…

Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, the musical CARRIE hasn’t been seen since its legendary 1988 Broadway production. Now, the show’s original authors have fully reworked and re-imagined their vision of this gripping tale. Set today, in the small town of Chamberlain, Maine, CARRIE features a book by Lawrence D. Cohen(screenwriter of the classic film), music by Academy Award winner Michael Gore (Fame, Terms of Endearment), and lyrics by Academy Award winner Dean Pitchford (Fame, Footloose).

Award winning actress Menchu Lauchengco – Yulo plays CARRIE’s mother, Margaret White.

Together in Viva Atlantis Theatricals, del Rosario and Garcia hope to open new avenues to showcase Filipino talents. “There is no question that Filipinos are among the best performers in the world today,” says del Rosario. “They just need to be seen and heard. I want to give them the chance. With Bobby and Chari at the helm, I see no limits to what Filipinos can do.”

Garcia, who has established a solid reputation in the global theatre scene, has also chosen to grow roots in the Philippines because of his faith in local artists. “I formed Atlantis Productions 13 years ago because I have always believed that we have some of the most talented performers in the world and we excel at musical theatre. We are all thrilled at Atlantis Productions to join forces with Viva, who can only help us reach more people and strengthen our audience base.”

VAT will be inaugurated in 2013 with the staging of three Broadway musicals THE FULL MONTY in April, Disney’s TARZAN in June and the new Broadway Musical THE ADDAMS FAMILY in November. Now also in the works is Bongga, an Original Filipino Musical featuring the music of the Manila Sound Pioneer Hotdog. Also, in production is a musical stage version of the hit movie PUSONG MAMON which will feature an original score by Nyoy Volante. Both shows will be directed by Garcia and will premiere in 2014.

The 30-year-old Viva is an established name in the fields of concerts and events, TV production, film and video production and distribution, talent management, music production and publishing.  Among its most significant projects of recent times are the Sharon Kasama Mo Kapatid starring Sharon Cuneta on TV5; the SG/24 concert with Sarah Geronimo; the Philippine release of the box office hit The Expendables; and historic box office blockbusters like No Other Woman.  Viva also manages the careers of Sharon, Sarah, Anne Curtis, Basil Valdez, KC Concepcion, Jon Santos, Cristine Reyes and other big name talents.

Garcia formed Atlantis in 1999 as multi-media company that has excelled in theatrical production having produced over 30 shows. Along with actress and director Chari Arespacochaga and Production Manager Liza Camus, Garcia has staged and produced in the Philippines successful productions of famous plays Proof, Doubt and God of Carnage and popular musicals including, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Rent, Rock of Ages, Avenue Q, Next to Normal, In the Heights and Nine. Atlantis has also been successful in bringing many musicals to Singapore.

Atlantis Productions will continue to produce shows alongside Viva Atlantis Theatricals.  It’s 2013 Season will consist of the celebrated musical PIAF starring Pinky Amador in March,  a repeat run of the sold out smash ROCK OF AGES in July and the Asian Premiere of the horror musical CARRIE, based on the Stephen King novel, in September.

For showbuying inquiries call Claire or Betchay at Atlantis Productions/Viva Atlantis Theatricals at 892-7078.

All shows are now open for show buying, please click here for more information.

All shows are now available for show buying and fund-raising opportunities.

To know more details about show buying, please reserve your show/s here.

MANILA, Philippines – To borrow a line from the theme song of Disney’s Aladdin, it’s “a whole new world” for Tom Rodriguez and K-La Rivera as they take on the lead roles in the Atlantis stage production of the animated classic in November.

Tom is Aladdin and K-La is Princess Jasmine in the timeless tale of a street-smart commoner whose life dramatically changes with one rub of a magic lamp. Chosen by Disney Theatricals to stage the Asian premiere of Disney’s Aladdin, Atlantis Productions already mounted two other Disney full-length musicals in the past, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast in 2005 and Disney’s The Little Mermaid last year.

A few days before plunging into the rehearsals which begin this week, The STAR had a chat with Tom, 25, and K-La, 21, about the firsts they’re going to make by doing this project.

With zero background in theater, casting Tom might be quite the surprise to the followers of theater. Then again, maybe not — what with Atlantis Productions’ casting record. The outfit has been putting together stars and theater stalwarts on stage to great success.

But the theater greenhorn is actually a fan of musical theater, albeit a late-bloomer. The Fil-Am Tom said, “When I was in the States, I wasn’t really into theater. It was my Ate who was addicted to theater. She would stalk Lea Salonga in New York (Broadway). One time we went to Vegas, my Ate’s treat. I wanted to watch all the magic shows, but she said she wanted to watch the Phantom of the Opera. I complained that musicals were boring. That was really my attitude towards musical theater.”

But her elder sister’s choice prevailed for obvious reasons. “I remember reacting ang pangit ng upuan natin, may chandelier sa harapan. Then, when the show started, yun pala yung (Phantom centerpiece) chandelier biglang gumalaw at tumaas. I fell silent. After I watched Phantom, my attitude towards theater changed.

“I then started watching musical theater shows, mostly here. The recent plays I watched were In The Heights, Rock of Ages, Charlie Brown, Sound of Music, etc. I’ll be watching Phantom again and The King & I.”

Tom said theater affords the audience a different experience from cinema. “I don’t know why but even with all the special effects of Hollywood films, I find the theater experience as more immersive — maybe because it’s live.”

His growing fascination with musical theater, plus the egging of friends, gave him the confidence to audition for the first time for Atlantis for its Rock of Ages which ran last June.

“When I’d watch musicals, I’d tell myself I don’t think I could do it because in theater, there’s no take two. But when an audition for Rock of Ages came up, my friends were telling me to try it out. I don’t know what I ate that day, but I felt brave enough to audition. When I got there, I saw so many people! I was thinking, ‘What am I doing here?’”

His audition piece was no less than Think of Me from The Phantom. “However, I was wracked by nerves that I forgot the lyrics in front of (Atlantis’) direk Bobby Garcia and direk Chari Arespacochaga. They even fed me the lyrics. I’ve never experienced that being nervous in my whole life. Sablay talaga. After that experience, I told myself I would never do this again.”

That is until, the Aladdin auditions were held. “I was asked if I’d like to audition and while I was nervous again, I thought this was Aladdin! This was my only favorite Disney film, aside from Lion King. So, bahala na.

“When I was in front of direk Chari and direk Bobby again, they said, ‘It’s you again! So what are you going to sing?’ I said A Whole New World. And they said, ‘How original!’ (Laughs) That got me nervous again.”

But he went ahead, and one callback after, he secured his first-ever theater project — and in the lead at that.

Until now, Tom can’t believe he earned the part. “Even when I told my sister, she couldn’t believe it. Even my mom couldn’t believe it, in the same way they couldn’t believe I’m now singing.”

What’s really interesting with Tom’s story is that he never had any formal vocal training. He only discovered that he could carry a tune through ABS-CBN’s ASAP. Tom got into showbiz through the 2009 edition of Pinoy Big Brother, upon the prodding of his sister and mom who religiously watch The Filipino Channel. He recalled that during the first round of the PBB auditions in the States, he was asked what he could do — could he sing, dance or act? Tom answered he could paint. (He studied digital animation in college.)

After that first round, faced with the probability that he might not make it (and the fear of disappointing his family), he vowed to himself that if he would make it to the next round, he would sing, dance and act if he would be asked to.

And that’s pretty much how he is handling his career right now. “Palakasan na ng loob, sa bahay na lang ako mahihiya,” laughingly said Tom, who has shown great potential to be a male lead in the small and big screens since making an impression with his roles in the movies Here Comes The Bride, Temptation Island, etc. His current TV project is Be Careful With My Heart where he is the “love interest” of Aiza Seguerra’s character. He was supposedly signed on for a single appearance, but it got extended because viewers are loving their unconventional pairing. Tom will also be co-hosting a show on ABS soon.

K-La, on the other hand, was personally handpicked to play Princess Jasmine, her first lead role. This after earning raves for her theater debut via In The Heights last year and which enjoyed a repeat run early this year.

According to theater critic Gibbs Cadiz, K-La is a perfect fit for theater, has a beautiful singing voice and reminds him of a young Monique Wilson.

Another compliment that the half-Filipina, half-Romanian beauty, who grew up in Canada, really appreciates was that of her In The Heights “mother” Jackielou Blanco, who told her that she had the voice of an angel.

Her initial theater foray also merited her an acting nod. “I think just getting nominated as Best Actress in a Musical for Aliw Awards sobrang masaya ako dun, I didn’t expect that at all. Even if I didn’t win, I still feel honored,” the sweet-faced K-La said.

She’s not spared from criticism though. And being a newbie, she welcomes it with a thank-you and a smile. “It’s constructive criticism, siempre it’s okay.”

For example, she is aware that she needs to shed off a few pounds for her costumes as Princess Jasmine, and she’s trying her best to do so by getting a personal trainer.

K-La also said that in the musical they “will be singing all the songs from the movie, but there are more. Kokonti lang kasi yung nasa movie version. The songs that were added are beautiful and which are from the same composer, (the Oscar-winning) Alan Menken.”

Another thing to watch out for in Aladdin is the magic carpet ride. K-La said Atlantis will be bringing in technical people from the US to help execute the carpet ride, which is one of the iconic scenes in the movie.

As for the possibility of being compared to Lea Salonga, who was the voice of Princess Jasmine in the Disney movie, K-La said, “There will never ever be another Lea Salonga, and with her being the original Princess Jasmine, I don’t think there will ever be a more perfect version of A Whole New World. It’s a song I grew up singing on karaoke, and now for me to be able to sing it on stage portraying the role of Princess Jasmine, it’s something I am just ecstatic about and I cannot wait to start. I’ll do my best to make her proud.”

In between In The Heights and Aladdin, K-La released a six-song album under Star Records. Discovered via the ABS singing search Star Power, K-La has not been in any regular TV project though.

But she’s not one to complain. “I’m willing to do TV acting and movies. I think the proper opportunity will come. Sana may chance! I’m taking acting workshops (at ABS-CBN). I’m also trying to learn to speak more Tagalog. I have a tutor. Baka yun lang yung problem ko for the teleserye or movies,” K-La said.

“I’m happy (at how my career is going). I think I’m pretty lucky with everything that’s happening in my career so far. I just hope that I can expand it more. That would be really nice.”

Meanwhile, Aiza Seguerra and Calvin Millado also form part of the cast, alternately portraying the genie in the lamp. Aladdin features music by eight-time Oscar winner Menken, with lyrics from Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, both also Oscar winners, and Tony-nominated lyricist Chad Beguelin, who wrote the brand-new book of the musical.

In a statement, Atlantis Productions head Bobby Garcia said, “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Disney Theatricals with their brand-new stage musical Disney’s Aladdin, which recently premiered in the US. We are looking forward to recreating the enchanting world of Agrabah and the romantic Arabian nights where Aladdin and Princess Jasmine take flight on their magic carpet ride. We have gathered an exciting cast for the show. We can’t wait to begin.”

For details, call Atlantis at 892-7078 or click here.

Read the whole article here.

People look at Jett Pangan and think that all aspects of the music business — from singing to songwriting — come so naturally to him. But Jett, lead vocalist of the iconic Pinoy pop-rock band The Dawn, says there was a time when he experienced a “creative block” that left him high and dry.

This is the same situation faced by filmmaker Guido Contini, his character in the Tony-winning musical Nine, which will have its Philippine run from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Nine is based on Italian director Federico Fellini’s comic masterpiece of biographical filmmaking titled Eight and a Half. It follows Contini’s life as he prepares his latest picture and balances the relationships he has with the numerous women in his life, including that with his muse, film star Claudia Nardi, who will be played by Eula Valdez.

Jett describes his character as a passionate man who just wants to make movies, but he also struggles with his passion for women. “He had an early sexual awakening, got married, had a mistress and was romantically linked to his muse. The tragedy of the story is he hits a creative block. He needs to write something, but he can’t think of anything because of the problems he’s having.”

He himself has been in that situation “more times than I can count,” says Jett. Maybe not in terms of the personal stuff, but certainly, in terms of struggling creatively. During its heyday, The Dawn released more than 10 albums, and there were many instances where Jett started to write a song and then gave it up midway through the process.

The situation eventually righted itself over time (and after he got married and had children, “I just needed change,” he says) but many artists go through periods like that. Jett identifies with the dilemma faced by his character, and adds that while Nine is a musical and he is a singer, he still has to exert extra effort to live up to the vocal demands of the role.

“Mahirap ang music dito,” he says. “You really have to get the feel of the songs. When I did Rock of Ages, it was easier, because that was rock, balwarte ko ‘yon, dun ako galing. With Nine, iba ang demands pagdating sa placement ng boses, iba rin ang sensibility ng kanta.” The only male in the cast, he will also have no alternate and will have to play the role all the way to the end. It is Jett’s 10th year of performing with Atlantis Productions and Nine, his biggest and most challenging role to date, marks his 11th musical with Atlantis. Jett has become the country’s most sought-after musical theater leading man.

Starring in stage musicals has helped him in many ways, especially as a performer. “When I get up onstage, iba ang tayo ko, I’m more centered, and I don’t have to do a lot of things to get (the people’s) attention. Unlike during my early days with The Dawn, na nag-tu-tumbling pa ako sa stage. Ang hindi ko lang yata nagawa, mag-crowd surf. But doing all these musicals, I learned that it’s enough na maganda ang presence mo sa stage. It’s all about presence.”

Doing a musical like Nine — which is set in ’60s Italy — will challenge him in many different ways. The role of Guido was originated onBroadway by Raul Julia, played in the revival by Antonio Banderas and in the film version by Daniel Day-Lewis. He didn’t watch theBroadway run, but did watch the film, and thought Day-Lewis was “very good.”

To help him get into the character, director Bobby Garcia suggested that he watch as many Italian movies as he could. On YouTube, Jett has been watching movies starring Italian leading men like Marcello Mastrioanni, and it has helped him understand the psyche of the character he plays. “There’s a certain swagger, a certain confidence, that comes with their personality,” he says of his early attempts to understand the role and the character. “I want to be able to channel that.”

Slowly, Jett has built up a solid reputation for himself as a theater actor. Although it’s not really what he set out to do in the beginning, his love for theater became a happy accident and turned into a love affair that is still ongoing. “I guess things just fell into place. The offers came, and these people, they trust me, they believe in me — who am I to say no?”

Having worked with him in several musicals, Bobby believes Jett is the perfect choice for the role. “Nine is a musical that I have loved for a very long time and something  that I have wanted to do for many years. Now the time has come, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have assembled what I believe is the definitive cast and creative team for this. I myself cannot believe the stars aligned as they have and that all the pieces fell into place so effortlessly. Needless to say, I don’t think it can happen again as it is extremely difficult to get all these people in the same room at the same time so this production of Nine will really be a once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Jett, of course, feels a certain degree of pressure — it comes with every new role he takes on — but I am sure that as he has triumphed in so many roles before, he will emerge victorious from this new creative challenge.

MANILA, Philippines — She may be considered a veteran in acting for television, but actress Eula Valdez considers herself a “greenhorn” in the world of theater.

Jett Pangan (left) plays Guido Contini, while Eula Valdez portrays Claudia Nardi in Atlantis Productions’ local staging of “Nine”

Six years since she first played the titular role in the stage musical adaptation of the graphic novel “Zsazsa Zaturnnah,” Valdez is set to take on theater acting anew, via her role as Claudia Nardi in the local staging of the Tony Award-wining musical “Nine.”

Although she has had her share of acting in theater, Valdez is not without apprehensions.

“For me, ako, greenhorn parin ang tingin ko sa sarili ko sa theater, and kinakabahan ako nung rehearsal namin last Tuesday,” Valdez told ABS-CBN News on Tuesday.

“Kung alam mo lang, nanginginig ako at pinapawisan ako, as in literal pinapawisan ako. Nanginginig ako, tina-try kong i-control ‘yung hands ko, kasi anggagaling nung mga kasama ko,” she added.

Singing Eula

Joining Valdez in Atlantis Productions’ staging of “Nine” are Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Cherie Gil, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Ima Castro, Sitti Navarro, Yanah Laurel, Jay Glorioso and Jett Pangan.

Having recently appeared in the local production of “Jeckyll and Hyde” and “Rock of Ages,” Pangan said he is impressed by relatively inexperienced Valdez.

Valdez is popularly known as a dramatic actress for her various roles in television and film.

“I’m very honored to work with her,” Pangan said of Valdez, “Kasi hindi lang po siya kilala sa pelikula o television. She’s also done theater. In fact, ‘yung kanyang role sa ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah’ was highly acclaimed.”

In 2006, Valdez took home the Best Actress trophy from the 19th Aliw Awards for her role in “Zsazsa.”

“Narining ko narin ho siyang kumanta [...] Magugulat po kayo, angganda ng boses ni Eula, and I can’t wait to hear her sing her songs for this musical,” Pangan added.

‘Level up’

For her role as Claudia, Valdez will sing among others, a “Nine” favorite, “Unusual Way.” Coming into her audition, however, Valdez admitted that she hadn’t known the weight of the role she was trying out for.

“Nag-audition ako nang nakatalikod dahil nahihiya ako. Nung tinanong ako kung gusto ko mag-audition, right away, I said yes, without thinking na kung ano ‘yung weight ng role, pero na-excite lang ako kasi panibagong challenge to sa’kin,” Valdez said.

With the September staging of “Nine” drawing near, Valdez said that apart from her initial apprehensions, she is excited to do stage-acting once more.

“Para sa ‘kin, level up ito, kasi sobrang bigatin nung mga kasama ko, and malaking production ito. Sana ma-pull off ko ito,” she said.

Staged by Atlantis Productions, “Nine” will run from September 21 to October 7 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

For tickets, click here.

For ticket inquiries, please click here.