Jon Chu and Lin-Manuel Miranda team up for IN THE HEIGHTS

Crazy Rich Asians director Jon Chu and the artistic talent of Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Hamilton) join in the movie adaptation of a Broadway musical coming this summer of 2021.

In The Heights, featuring a bodega owner who has mixed feelings of closing his store and retiring to the Dominican Republic after inheriting his grandmother's fortune will be a story of making small dreams big. Shot in New York City where there is a kaleidoscope of stories and dreams makes this movie event a universal experience.

The movie stars Anthony Ramos (“A Star is Born,” Broadway’s “Hamilton”), Corey Hawkins (“Straight Outta Compton,” “BlacKkKlansman”), singer/songwriter Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera (TV’s “Vida”), Olga Merediz (Broadway’s “In the Heights”), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Broadway’s “Rent”), Gregory Diaz IV (Broadway’s “Matilda the Musical”), Stephanie Beatriz (TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Dascha Polanco (TV’s “Orange is the New Black”) and Jimmy Smits (the “Star Wars” films). 

Chu directed the film from a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes, based on the musical stage play, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and concept by Miranda. Miranda, Hudes, Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman and Mara Jacobs produced the film, with David Nicksay and Kevin McCormick serving as executive producers.

Watch the latest trailer below.    

In The Heights opens in theaters June 18, 2021 and can also be streamed on HBO Max.

 

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Newsies wows

Anybody slap my face if I say that 9 Works Theatrical and Globe Live's Newsies is fine. It is not. It is awesome! The latest production that is ongoing throughout all weekends of July is a spectacular show that makes Filipino talent comparable to touring big Broadway productions -- or even better. I say the latter.

Staged at the Globe Amphitheater in Bonifacio High Street, the set brings you to 1899 when all the things happened for our poor newsies (newspaper boys). See every event unfold when the rusty towers move and the backdrop projection are like pages of a newspaper. Then the newsies bring the stage to life with pure energy and powerful voices letting us hear their story and voicing out their rights and concerns as an employee. A very relatable issue that is also tackled up to this day. Their pirouettes and splits and jumps are to watch out for. The Newsies Training Ground really paid off with the skills showing the diversity and exceptional energy that is shared by the actors to the audience.

Give Gian Magdangal a warm comeback as Jack Kelly in Newsies. It seems just like yesterday when he played Danny Zuko in Grease and his leadership to a young group has turned out to something more relevant. Mickey Mouse has definitely gave a good amount of magic dust on him. Same goes to the Kings of New York, they have earned an audience acceptance as triple-threats in the theater industry and will make you ask for even more. Kudos to the whole production team, to director Robbie Guevara, and actors that will make us thankful as our eyes opened for our rights and equality as we enjoy a spectacular show.

And don't forget to get a souvenir program for this show!

Catch Newsies all Fridays to Sundays of July, until July 30, 8PM. Presented by Globe Live and 9 Works Theatrical.

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MUSIKAT JAM - a celebration of musical diversity

it's non-stop entertainment at Resorts World Manila for a week of music and cultural diversity. in partnership with Ultimate Entertainment, MUSIKAT JAM will showcase different musical acts that determine the generations of Resorts World's market.

opening the month of June, watch our local theater icons in Some Enchanted Music: Broadway Hits in Concert. revisit theatrical masterpieces featuring Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Bo Cerrudo, Pinky Marquez, Audie Gemora, Cris Villonco, Gina Respall, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Jon Joven, Tanya Manalang and Michael Williams as they sing the classics of the musicals we love at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT).

jazz up with the AMP Big Band together with Bituin Escalante, Arthur Manuntag, Lynn Sherman and Mel Villena in All That Jazz! strut with Resorts World Manila's dancers at Taps, located at Genting Club on June 4.

our love for classical music will be catered to when Best of Opera plays at NPAT with world-class talents Noel Azcona, Adam Diegel, Arthur Espiritu, Andrew Fernando, Maria Rachelle Gerodias, Margarita Gomez-Giannelli, Cammille Lopez-Molina, Mako Nishimoto and Magdalena Wor. their vocal power will be accompanied by ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga with Viva Voce, Nonon Baang and Fame Flores.

Asia's Nightingale Lani Misalucha makes her  concert at NPAT entitled Lani Misalucha One More Time on June 6. fill the NPAT with her soulful voice that she only has.

rock fans will not be disappointed as Bamboo visits NPAT for a rock concert. gather up for this versatile artist that can adapt not only with his genre but a fan to other styles as well. Rock with Bamboo happens 8pm on June 7.

lastly, the music festival will be wrapped off with Malaysian chart-topping singer-songwriter Eric Moo as he comes back to Manila with his "Come Back to You" concert series. listen to his award-winning hits on June 8 at NPAT.

there are countless reasons to go back to Resorts World Manila. you can start with the entertainment by dialling (02)908-8833 for your ticket reservations or visit www.rwmanila.com for details about the Musikat Jam.

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the Philippines' TARZAN!

VIVA ATLANTIS is giving away more surprises in their Facebook account for this year's production. as they bring more audiences to the theaters, it is noted that they are giving special programs like The Full Monty, Piaf (which is a very good musical, by the way), The Addams Family and their Disney musical, TARZAN.
and with that, VIVA ATLANTIS is bringing into Manila, the Broadway star and also a cast on Glee, Mr. Dan Domenech!

Dan Domenech plays Chase Madison in the Golden Globe winner Glee and has appeared in many Broadway musicals like Rent, Sister Act and even played Drew in the rock musical, Rock of Ages in 2011. other experiences are for Fame as a choreographer and now it's a great privilege to see himself in the Manila adaptation of the Disney production.

Disney's TARZAN will be playing on June 2013 at the Meralco Theater, produced by VIVA ATLANTIS THEATRICALS.

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oh yes! I'm spreading rumors!

yes, i've heard this myself and i'm very excited to bring teasers in my Twitter account about two musicals coming to Manila.

on July 2013, the sexy Broadway musical, DIRTY DANCING will strot its way to CCP. we'll definitely sing along with Time of My Life and remember how Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey did it on the dance floor as Johnny Castle and Frances Houseman in the movies.

and on January 2014, my fantasies on seeing the back story of The Wizard of Oz will finally be true when they will bring WICKED the musical here in the Philippines. i should not let this pass because i got really sad when i missed Mamma Mia and The Phantom of the Opera.

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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum review

Theater Down South stages A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. this musical comedy was originally written by Stephen Sondheim and it was in time for TDS to take the stage in Stephen Sondheim's birthday.

Prologus (Chino Veguillas) opens the play introducing the three houses: Erronius, Senex and Lycus. he also discusses that Rome has been a setting for tragedy and epic but tonight, it's comedy (Comedy Tonight). the cast comes out and joins Prologus to welcome everyone to this comedy.

Act One. Senex (Gary Unsay) and his wife Domina (Celine Fabie) were off to a far land to visit the in-laws leaving their son Hero under the care of their slave Hysterium (Benjor Catindig). and as Hero became alone, he confides that he is in love with a courtesan named Philia (Carla Gonzales) in the house of Marcus Lycus. his slave, Pseudolus (Chino Veguillas) hears this and teases Hero that he can get the courtesan for him. Hero agrees and willing to give Pseudolus his freedom.

they approached Marcus Lycus (Zig Hagamann) and he offered a variety of courtesans. all of which a man would want but not Hero himself. his eyes are glued to one courtesan, Philia. unfortunately, she is bought by Miles Glorious (Mikey Llorin), a powerful captain. but Hero is determined to get Philia's hands.

more funny moments as everything gets twisted when Hero's parents arrived and Miles Glorious arrives to claim his bride.

what to enjoy about the FORVM by Theater Down South? it contains a lot of humorous lines and acts. Stephen Sondheim has created another level of sitcom. i think it has the combination of The Three Stooges and Romeo and Bernadette, the songs are retentive to the brain. the costumes are more colorful than the Broadway original. the set is also nice and playing would be fun.

who is the funniest of them all? the soldiers! the footwork is contagious. you might greet someone in salute with this:

i also loved the songs. though it might have a mild adult content, children can watch it. parental guidance is just advised. congratulations to Michael Williams and to all the members of Theater Down South for this wonderful show. i really enjoyed it.



Show Details:
October 2, 3, 8, 9, 24, 30, 2010
Venue: INSULAR LIFE THEATER, Corporate Center Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa)

Tickets are available at Ticketworld at these prizes:
PhP 1,030.00
PhP 927.00
PhP 772.50
PhP 566.50

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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Theater Down South brings an award-winning musical made by Stephen Sondheim entitled A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. this is inspired by the collection of Roman playwright Plautus entitled Forum, it has garnered around 8 Tony Awards, an Academy Award, a Pulitzer Prize and several Grammy Awards.

this musical started in 1962 and still enjoying the stage with 2 revivals to date. and Theater Down South made sure that it plays on the 80th birthday of Stephen Sondheim to praise his beautiful work.

the show is directed by veteran stage actor Michael Williams (who is also the company’s Artistic Director) and will be running at the Insular Life Theater, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang on October 2, 3, 8, 9, 24 and 30. Tickets will be available beginning August 1 at all Ticketworld outlets and from www.ticketworld.com.ph.

here's an excerpt from the Broadway version entitled, Everybody Ought to have a Maid:

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