All posts filed under: Theater

Musical Review: ETO NA! Musikal nAPO! by Globe Live x 9 Works Theatrical

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When I found out 9 Works Theatrical and Globe Live would be mounting an original musical featuring APO Hiking Society songs, I was mildly surprised. I liked some of their songs, but those I knew were the modern versions, not the originals. And while I knew of APO, I didn’t really understand how big a role they played in the rise of Original Pilipino Music or OPM. On the other hand, when I told Vince about Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!, he got that wide-eyed look on his face. Of course I had to bring him along. To complement my take as a relative APO newbie, I asked him to write his own review as a fan—another He Said/She Said like what we did for The Lion King. But first, some facts: 5 Things You Should Know Before Watching Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! APO Hiking Society, better known as APO, was one of the pioneers of OPM. Composed of Danny Javier, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo, APO helped push fellow musicians to create Filipino songs instead …

Q&A with Calvyn Grandling and Noxolo Dlamini + Musical Review: THE LION KING in Manila

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The Lion King is part of my childhood soundtrack, and its stage adaptation has long been on my list of must-see Broadway musicals. So when I heard that Manila would be their first stop in this year’s international tour, there was no way I could miss it. Luckily, I didn’t just get to see the show, I was also invited to an exclusive lunch with Calvyn Grandling and Noxolo Dlamini, otherwise known as Simba and Nala.

Musical Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Globe Live x 9 Works Theatrical

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With the Christmas rush in full swing, I avoid going to Makati and BGC, especially on a Friday night. Yet last week, we braved the TGIF traffic to watch Globe Live and 9 Works Theatrical’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I missed it last year—I couldn’t miss it again. Luckily, the roads cleared enough that we arrived at Bonifacio High Street with enough time for a quick dinner. In the Globe Iconic Store amphitheater, we stared at the lopsided brick buildings onstage and the oversized clock crowning them. People filed in, many of them families with kids buzzing with anticipation. I was excited—excited to see how they would top their production of Disney’s Newsies and to experience some snow. Soon, the stage lit up and music swelled. Time for some holiday magic. A Christmas Carol opens with an English town caught in the flurries of the holidays. Everyone’s merry and giving, except rich old Ebenezer Scrooge (Miguel Faustmann). He scolds kids, turns away pleas for donations, and rejects his nephew’s invitation to their Christmas dinner. As he …

Musical Review: tick, tick…BOOM by 9 Works Theatrical

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Often, it’s the unexpected things that end up to be so memorable. I felt that way about Budapest five months ago, and I felt that way last Friday night while watching tick, tick…BOOM! When I first saw 9 Works Theatrical’s teaser for tick, tick…BOOM!, I was intrigued by the mere fact that it was created by RENT‘s Jonathan Larson. RENT has always been one of my favorite musicals, and its soundtrack is one of those I revisit whenever I get ’em Broadway blues. When I learned about its basic story line, I became even more intrigued. A musical about the trials and tribulations of an artist who chooses between compromise or perseverance? How could I miss out on that? Thing is, I almost did. And I’m glad that I didn’t. I feel that all well-written musicals have the power to touch and move people, but tick, tick…BOOM! is one of those I could relate to without even trying. It’s actually an autobiographical story covering the period right before Jonathan Larson’s 30th birthday. Not only is Jon …

The Sandbox Collective Brings the Boy Back

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The Sandbox Collective hasn’t even been in Manila’s theater scene for a full year, yet it’s already gained a huge following. I know I fell in love with their production of Dani Girl, which I reviewed for Hitlist.PH and watched again in a different venue. I’m no theater expert, but I do know what I like—actors who give raw, believable performances, music that draws me completely into that world, and most importantly, material that’s compelling, meaningful, and real. From what I’ve seen so far, The Sandbox Collective does an excellent job delivering all three. If you’re looking for a cool way to spend your Saturday, why not head over to the Huseng Batute theater at the CCP and catch The Sandbox Collective’s final showing of The Boy in the Bathroom? It’s an off-Broadway musical that touches on themes such as parent-child relationships, unexpected love, and facing the unknown. It seems right up my alley, and I regret being unable to catch it this time around. You could still watch it though—and you should! Read on for more deets about …