Let's talk about "THEATER"!

[Felix Jimenez]

Okey, whatever you want to say here about theater! Let's start this! Anything! :)

[CesarJ]

Miss Saigon--that dreary musical--should pack its bags and open in Kalamazoo instead. Kawawa naman ang local theater and dance companies displaced by that piece of crap. Kawawa din ang mga magbabayad ng P4000 para manood ng isang second-rate Madame Butterfly. (Mamamatay din si Lea sa ending!). I don't know how Saigon's handlers get to call this helicopter play a piece of "theater". Literal, nothing left to the imagination, with such lyrical gems as "You are sunlight, I am moonbeam" (BLECH!). I suppose "theater" iyan for the Hallmark card set.

Give me Tanghalang Pilipino, PETA, or campus theater anytime. And if mag-iimport ka, Royal Shakespeare Company or New York Philharmonic Orchestra man lang. Particularly since successful iyong past tours nila, at mas mura, mas maganda, at mas may katuturan pa.



[This message has been edited by CesarJ (edited 06-29-2000).]

[pseudocute]

i like the spontaneity theater offers. anything goes and anything could happen.
worth it ba ang pagiging actor sa phil. theater?
pwede ba kong maging prod. assistant? :)

[Ira]

Hay naku, I agree wholeheartedly with what CesarJ said. It's colonial mentality rearing its ugly head again.

[xywiz]

I don't know much about theater--in fact, the one and only "theater" I saw was "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Sydney Opera House.

I was just observing the whole night!!!

It was freaky. But there was one song that "haunted" me--I don't know what's the title but it says something like

"the phantom of the opera is here..."
"inside your mind..."

[asterisk]

Just want to announce that Tanghalang Pilipino is opening its season with Nick Joaquin's Portrait of an Artist as Filipino in three languages: English, Spanish and Filipino. That is, there are shows in English, and then Spanish and Filipino.

They're open for auditions, by the way.

[CesarJ]

Portrait is showing? When? I'm watching that one.

(Incidentally lang, why in three languages?)

[asterisk]

I think it will be staged either latter July or August.

I think it is a very exciting and novel idea: to stage it in three languages so that we can feel the beauty of the languages unfolded by the play. Didn't think to ask Nonon Padilla why, because we were both excited and probably thought that people should experience this play in its multi-linguistic formations.

[*Zaphne*]

Do you guys know what Filipino play I enjoyed most? WALANG SUGAT!!!! I saw it back in high school pa, pero---man! Super funny and galing! We should produce local plays such as WALANG SUGAT more! http://www.pinoyexchange.com/lol.gif

[Dan Blaze]

RENT - The #1 musical for me...such a beautifully crafted production with a smiple message: "No day but today." And excellent songs: "Will I", "Seasons of Love", "Finale B" and "I'll Cover You" are my favorites.

CATS - Lucky me that i got to see it on cable TV. I'll have to say this: It ain't the longest running musical of all time for nothing. Songs: "Magical Mr. Mistofelles", "Gus the Theater Cat" and of course "Memory".

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - I don't know excactly why it appeals to me, but when i sat down and started to watch, i couldn't get up until it was done. Songs: "Last Supper", "King Herod's Song", "What's the Buzz" and "Superstar".

http://www.pinoyexchange.com/smokin.gif

[mint]

Zaphne: yes, I've seen that too. Galing noh!

Anyway, that's what other theater companies are trying to do. Some of the most remarkable original Filipino musicals are: Katy, Larawan, Alikabok, Kenkoy loves Rosing, Saranggola ni Pepe, and Sino Ka Ba Jose Rizal. It's a very exhilirating experience to join these productions.

peudocute: sure! gusto mo maging PA namin (school production nga lang)

BTW, ppl, watch out for REPERTORY PHILS. JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. It's a Children's Theater offering and i assure you it's a show for the whole family. It will open on July 22, with shows on weekends till March 2001.

[CesarJ]

Originally posted by *Zaphne*:
We should produce local plays such as WALANG SUGAT more! http://www.pinoyexchange.com/lol.gif

I couldn't agree with you more.

I also liked Nonon Padilla's production of Tres Monologos. Saw it years ago, and I still remember vividly--wow, no sets, no props, just the production and your imagination, debunking some myths about our heroes...Mabini, Antonio Luna, Rizal yata. I thought this is how or what theater can be, at its best.

Same for the Henry VI of Royal Shakespeare Company when it toured here.

I also liked Larawan (Tagalog version of Portrait), the musical.

Pero, if "overproduced" dinosaurs were left to roam the earth, my favorites would be:

1) Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd--by Stephen Sondheim...for the stories, music, lyrics...no Hallmark-card stuff here...just the best Broadway can offer.

2) Les Miserables...tops among the lot from Shonberg/Boublil, Lloyd Webber, or Cameron Mackintosh.

3) Rent...okay na rin, but I fear its music has already dated.

[This message has been edited by CesarJ (edited 06-30-2000).]

[naturallybeautiful]

CesarJ: Hindi ba "You are sunlight and I'm moon"? I think it talks about the differences between the east and the west.

[Felix Jimenez]

Wow! I'm surprised! I never expected it! Salamat! Sana, after 2 days, we can see the "burning Icon" here! I posted this topic kasi, feeling ko, bakit ganon, sa lahat ng categories or topics wala ang theater? Well, as usual, laging kulelat or hindi pinapansin at all ang theater dito sa Pinas. oops sorry, original Filipino plays pala. Parang sa film din yan eh. Pag foreign go! Pag Pinoy, goodbye! Obvious ba? I have nothing againts REP, look at their sponsors, grabe! Kasi nga "english" eh!!! Kawawa naman theater groups producing original Filipino plays! During the old days of Teatro Pilipino, marami din silang sponsors, but they were producing classic translations! At grabe naman talaga sa galing si Mr. Tinio. It was Gantimpala Theater Foundation(a.k.a. Bulwagang Gantimpala, CCP days) who really started the trend of producing original filipino plays. But after that "glorious" EDSA Revolution they were kicked out from the Center just like that! And where they are now? They are still very active with their yearly productions. Producing what they called "four filipino classics". Kanser, el filibusterismo, Florante at Laura, and Ibong Adarna. I think for the past 6 or 7 seven years, ito lang ng ito ang plays na ginagawa nila, and I think sometimes one new play or one english play. I heard that their problem also is sponsorship. Kasi nga tagalog ang ginagawa nila walang magkainteres sa kanila, kawawa naman!

Cesar:
Miss Saigon--that dreary musical--should pack its bags and open in Kalamazoo instead. Kawawa naman ang local theater and dance companies displaced by that piece of crap.

I don't think ang Miss Saigon production ang dapat i-blame dito! Hindi ba parang ang CCP Administration? Si Angara? Sino ba ang nagluklok sa kanya doon? Si Erap? Sino ba ang local producer ng Miss Saigon? Si JV?
What do you think?

Yes maybe, I haven't seen the production, but we all know the premise of the musical, it's not one of the best musical ever produced, but kaya lang naman talaga siya dinala dito dahil nga for a very simple reason, if we are going to trace the history of this play na alam na naman nating lahat, yun lang siguro enough na kung bakit excited ang ibang tao for that production. Ako, aminado ako that I want to see it, because I'm very fascinated with musical theater!

Hindi kawawa ang local theaters! Ang Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet (ni Angara?), Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, yan ang mga kawawa, kasi nga, nawalan sila ng venue!

HIndi ako nang-eenganyo nor pumipigil sa mga taong panoorin ang play. Masyado ng malaking issue ang production na yan para magbigay pa tayo ng mga pros and cons! Nakikita natin ang lahat ng negative effect at negative aspects ng production simply because hindi progresibo ang bayan natin. Kasi kung hind naman tayo naghihikahos hindi na natin papatulan pa ang mga ganyang issue!

Yun lang, naglalabas din lang! :)

Actually dancing is my first love. But since I grew up in the province, walang nakadiscover ng talent ko! :) At alam naman nating lahat na kapag nakita ka nilang naka-tights automatic na ikaw ay isang binabae! So, sa tingin ba ninyo ang aking tatay will encourage me to pursue ballet and be one of the great dancers of Alvin Ailley? Kaya ayun, nag-fine arts at nag-teatro. Okey naman, so ngayon nagagawa ko lahat ang frustrations ko sa theater! :)

Sana, share din kayo ng mga stories nyo about theater! Marami pa ako, kaya lang baka ma-bore na kayo at baka sabihin nyong ginawa ko itong venue for my biography! :)

OKey guys, keep posting!

Ciao!

[§ínned™]

CesarJ
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has nothing to do with Les Miserables.

§inned™

[CesarJ]

Originally posted by §inned™:
CesarJ
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has nothing to do with Les Miserables.

§inned™

You're absolutely right. I reviewed and realized my post "Les Miserables...tops among the lot from Shonberg/Boublil, Lloyd Webber, or Cameron Mackintosh" didn't clearly state what I meant: that Les Miz is the best among the lot of all these gigantic musicals, whether by Shonberg/Boublil, Lloyd Webber, Mackintosh, or by whoever else. My lack of clarity stands corrected.

[This message has been edited by CesarJ (edited 07-01-2000).]

[CesarJ]

Originally posted by Felix Jimenez:
I don't think ang Miss Saigon production ang dapat i-blame dito [displacement of local productions]! Hindi ba parang ang CCP Administration? Si Angara? Sino ba ang nagluklok sa kanya doon? Si Erap? Sino ba ang local producer ng Miss Saigon? Si JV?
What do you think?

Yes maybe, I haven't seen the production, but we all know the premise of the musical, it's not one of the best musical ever produced, but kaya lang naman talaga siya dinala dito dahil nga for a very simple reason, if we are going to trace the history of this play na alam na naman nating lahat, yun lang siguro enough na kung bakit excited ang ibang tao for that production. Ako, aminado ako that I want to see it, because I'm very fascinated with musical theater!

Hindi kawawa ang local theaters! Ang Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet (ni Angara?), Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, yan ang mga kawawa, kasi nga, nawalan sila ng venue!

My problem with the Saigon production itself doesn't mean I am questioning ANY LESS the priorities of everyone connected to the importation of Saigon--CCP, the sponsors, etc.--for falling head over heels and spending some P400M (?) on this dinosaur and kicking out the CCP resident companies for the musical's duration. But surely Miss Saigon's production company itself MUST KNOW what is going on, how other companies are being displaced. And it appears their business sense cannot afford to allow their conscience to give a damn about it. Ahm...teka muna....

You also mentioned three companies na kawawa. Mayroon pang Celeste Legaspi engagement, etc. na na-drop, hindi ba? Marami-rami na yata iyang nilalaglag. Should "negosyo lang iyan" prevail? And Saigon's handlers, despite all this, would have people believe "this is for the Filipino people, the Filipino theater industry workers, the improvement of their theater education, etc." even if it means leaving at least four of "the Filipino people"'s local productions or companies out in the cold? Naman. Sobrang kapal yata niyan.

Originally posted by Felix Jimenez:
HIndi ako nang-eenganyo nor pumipigil sa mga taong panoorin ang play. Masyado ng malaking issue ang production na yan para magbigay pa tayo ng mga pros and cons! Nakikita natin ang lahat ng negative effect at negative aspects ng production simply because hindi progresibo ang bayan natin. Kasi kung hind naman tayo naghihikahos hindi na natin papatulan pa ang mga ganyang issue!

Yun lang, naglalabas din lang! :)

Ito naman...kaya ko nga pinatulan, kasi sabi mo when you established this forum, "Okey, whatever you want to say here about theater! Let's start this! Anything!". You talaga! (Tsk...tsk!)

Thanks for your passion about the issue. Hopefully you post more items here, considering na mukhang ikaw ang talagang theater specialist dito.


[This message has been edited by CesarJ (edited 07-01-2000).]

[This message has been edited by CesarJ (edited 07-02-2000).]

[mint]

CesarJ: anong Celeste Legaspi engagement na na-drop? Are you talking about FIRE,WATER WOMAN? If this is what you're taling about, I don't think "na-drop" na 'tong engagement na 'to. In fact, they conducted the callback auditions (for the chorus) last Sunday. It's gonna be shown this October (yes, as in sabay ng Miss Saigon). Ika nga ni Bart Guingona (director), "If Miss Saigon is at the main theater, we're gonna be down there (at the Little Theater)". Well, to Musical Theater Phils. and Ballet Phils., I wish you all the luck!

[*Zaphne*]

mint: nubayan, dito na lang tayo nagkakausap! how're ya? uy, sabihin mo sa akin kung kelan ipapalabas `yang mga plays niyo, ha!!!!

[BadGiRL]

went to watch the matinee of they're playing our song kanina.

d naman ganon ka galing mag act si lea e. powerful boses nya. but nasasapawan sha ni adrian pang sa acting. well...balanced naman siguro kasi nasasapawan din nya si adrian pang sa singing.

[Felix Jimenez]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CesarJ:
[B] Ito naman...kaya ko nga pinatulan, kasi sabi mo when you established this forum, "Okey, whatever you want to say here about theater! Let's start this! Anything!". You talaga! (Tsk...tsk!)

Thanks for your passion about the issue. Hopefully you post more items here, considering na mukhang ikaw ang talagang theater specialist dito.


Over ba ang reaction? :)
Actually, ganun siguro talaga ang priority ng Miss Saigon. I mean when you said about business? I heard it also from the mouth of some businessmen, one time kasi napaupo ako sa isang discussion about Miss Saigon nga pero yun na nga, iba talaga ang objectives nila eh, so, hindi mo rin sila makokontra. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, siguro kung ako nga yung nasa lugar nila ganunu din ang iisipin ko. Tipong pagbusiness talaga, masagasaan na lahat basta kumita. Kaya nga siguro hindi tayo business people! Sorry sa iba, hindi ko naman nilalahat!

Sige Cesar post pa uli ako, kaya lang yung iniisip kong topic parang hindi masyadong interesting. Tingnan na lang natin at sana una kang magpost ng reply!

The Outstanding Theater Practitioners!

Okey kaya?

By the way, I saw Lara Fabregas' performance kanina at the Little theater of "Human Voice". I think she's great! Or kaibigan ko kasi siya? May nakapanood ba sa inyo? Medyo I left na half part of Joanna Cabilis opera of the same play in French kasi antok na ako, puyat the other night eh. The staging of Anton Juan is fine. Parang nahabaan lang ako sa mga "movements"/"moments" na ininsert niya sa version ni Lara. But all in all it was an experience!

O siya, Break a leg to everybody! :)

[asterisk]

Just arrived in my pigeonhole the Portrait skeds:

The Portrait of the Artist as Filipino

July 15 & 22, 8 pm
July 16 & 23 10:30 am
July 21 2:30 pm

Larawan (translated by Bienvenido Lumbera)

July 15, 16, 22 & 23 2:30 pm
July 21 8 pm

All at the CCP Little Theater

Cast includes John Arcilla, Chuck perez, Manuel Aquino, Vivian Velez, Alicia Alonzo, Josephine Roces-Chavez, Jay Valencia-Glorioso, Sherry Lara, Joan Orendain, Lu Veloso, Ony de Leon, etc.