Joyfully Yours

Dream Up Festival is a proletarian collective work that happens over a year but is only seen for 3 weeks. The festival consists of performing artists representing theater and performance companies in their theater complex in downtown New York since 2010. 

This year, Filipino Playwright Joel Trinidad joins the festival with his short play, "Zandar the Magnificent" which runs until September 8!

Theater for the New City (TNC), the organizers of Dream Up Festival, has consistently been the most inexpensive theater of its caliber and the institution continues its commitment to affordable tickets with this festival. Dream Up Festival ticket prices will range from $12-$18 for the participating productions. Most of the productions will be staged at least five times. 

Joel Trinidad, on the other hand, is a prominent actor/writer/director from the Philippines who loves the arts more than anything else so it's just perfect that he becomes part of this festival! Joel has just completed his first novel, "Budapest Blues." His short plays "Crush Hour" and "Witchslap" have recently been produced in NYC, where he spends several months of every year. He is currently in the Philippines playing the role of Mad Hatter in Repertory Philippines's "Alice in Wonderland."

Joel Trinidad (Photo by Studiyo)

For tickets, show schedules and to know more about Dream Up Festival, please visit their website http://www.dreamupfestival.org/ or follow them on Facebook: Dream Up Festival.

It's back to my favorite time of Repertory Philippines' season! Repertory Philippines’ Theatre for Young Audiences (AKA Children's Theatre) which was started by Ms. Joy Virata, had its first production in 1992 featuring "Sleeping Beauty."

Even though I'm all grown up, these shows bring out my young heart and fun childhood memories which is fun to reminisce.

In celebration of its 21st year of producing well-loved musicals for children of all ages, Repertory Philippines’ Theatre for Young Audiences proudly announces its 2013 offering with the staging of "Alice in Wonderland."
"Alice in Wonderland" is set to open on August 17, 2013 and will run until December 15, 2013 at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legazpi St., Makati City.

The cast is composed of the following: Dani Gana and Chaye Mogg (Alice), Nacho Tambunting, Jim Ferrer and Reb Atadero (Rabbit), Liesl Batucan (Duchess), Bituin Escalante and Natalie Everett (Queen of Hearts), Becca Coates and Janine Tolentino (Storyteller / Flora), Rachel Coates and Marie Delgado (Storyteller / Dora), Oliver Usison and Kendrick Ibasco (Walrus / King of Hearts), Nic Campos and Joel Trinidad (French Mouse / Carpenter / Mad Hatter), Onyl Torres and James Stacey (Caterpillar / March Hare), Antonio Lane and Jay Pangilinan (Mock Turtle), Reymund Domingo and Khevin Almario (Duck / Kettle), Edward Briones (Lory / Baby), Dingdong Rosales (Lory / Baby / Tweedledum), Josh Ramirez and Chino Veguillas (Dodo / Tweedledee / Doormouse), Shalee Vicencio and Gold Soon (Moon / Court Member), Ina Salonga (Tears / Court Member), Kyla Rivera (Tears / Oyster / Door), Clark Francis dela Riva and Bobby Superales (Door / Oyster) and Bym Buhain (Door / Tweedledum).

Joel Trinidad as Mad Hatter

For over 150 years, "Alice in Wonderland" has captivated children with its timeless and whimsical story written by Lewis Caroll. The classic tale is now re-told in an enchanting adaptation with book and lyrics by Jim Eiler. Music is also by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy.

With toe-tapping lively music and highly-spirited dance numbers, "Alice in Wonderland" follows Alice through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole in a whirlwind of twists and turns through an enchanting Wonderland. In this whimsical fantastic journey, Alice meets all of Wonderland's famous and popular residents brought to life with full flair and color including: the King & Queen of Hearts, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Gryphon, Mock Turtle, Dormouse, Mad Hatter and March Hare, the Dutchess, Cheshire Cat and of course, the White Rabbit, and a whole world of characters for the audience to enjoy.

Bituin Escalante as Queen of Hearts

Alice’s strange adventures unexpectedly changes her size, attends a tea party with the March Hare and the Mad Hatter, and even testifies at the trial of a knave who has stolen some tarts from the Queen of Hearts!

Co-presented by the City of Makati, "Alice in Wonderland" is a perfect treat for the whole family.

The artistic and creative team of "Alice in Wonderland" is led by Joy Virata (Director), Liesl Batucan (Assistant Director), Baby Barredo (Musical Director), Jamie Wilson (Technical Director), Gino Gonzales (Set Designer), Raven Ong (Costume Designer), John Batalla (Lights Designer), Lisa, Tintin and Cecille Martinez (Choreographers), Onyl Torres (Vocal Coach) and Jay Pangilinan (Musical Arranger).

Reb Atadero as the Rabbit

I am excited with what Raven Ong will be creating for the costumes. He really makes wonderful costumes that tickles one's imagination. I can still remember the past costumes which he did!

The production staff is composed of Gidget Tolentino (Production Manager), Ayam Barredo (Company Manager), Jojo Amboy (Stage Manager), Pol Roxas (Sound Technician), Pablito Salvador (Lighting Technician) and Adul Lasin (Set Execution and Scenic Artist).

The marketing, sales and publicity is led by David Bianco (Marketing, Sales), Toots Tolentino and Oliver Usision (PR & Publicity), Marie Talay and Rose Silva (Marketing & Sales) and Jojo Mamangun (Photography) and John Alaras (Art Direction).

To accommodate all inquiries, Repertory Philippines is now accepting reservations for schools, civic groups and corporate sponsorships. For details of show, please call 571-6926 and 571-494 or email shows@repertoryphilippines.com. You can also log on to www.repertoryphilippines.com. Tickets are also available through Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph

To get more updated news of Repertory Philippines, they are available on the following social media pages:

Repertory Philippines' second offering for the year 2013 No Way To Treat A Lady opens on March 1, 2013 (Friday) at 8pm. The show is a musical comedy thriller with book, music and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen which is based on the best-selling novel and renowned movie by William Goldman.

The show is directed by Audie Gemora who have directed Camp Rock last year. No Way To Treat A Lady is a musical comic thriller chronicling the exploits of a 1970s momma's boy serial killer. The story is about a serial killer in the name of Christopher Gill (to be played by Audie Gemora and Jamie Wilson as alternate), who draws a red lipstick kiss on the forehead of each of his victims as a calling card. 

The killer is being chased by Detective Morris Brummell (to be played by Joel Trinidad) who has a manipulative mother. The story focuses on the themes: Betrayal, Death, Friendship, Jewish or Yiddish issues, Love, Parenting and Family.


The show will be having 5 actors on stage playing 17 roles! Other actors include: Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Sarah Stone, Sheila Francisco as Flora Brummel and Pinky Marquez as Alexandra Gill.


All performances will be at Onstage, Greenbelt 1 on all weekends starting from March 1 - 24, 2013. All Friday shows will be at 8pm, all Saturday shows will be at 3:30pm and 8pm and all Sunday shows will be at 3:30pm. Onstage is at the 2/F Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legazpi St., Makati City.  

Pinky Marquez as Alexandra Gill

Co-presented by the City of Makati, the other members of the artistic team of No Way To Treat a Lady is composed of Baby Barredo (Artistic Director), Liesl Batucan (Assistant Director), Dingdong Fiel (Musical Director), Mio Infante (Set Designer), Raven Ong (Costume Designer) and John Batalla (Lighting Designer).  


The production team of No Way To Treat a Lady is composed of Juno Henares (Officer In Charge), Gidget Tolentino (Production Manager), Gold Soon (Stage Manager), Denis Lagdameo (Technical Director), Pol Roxas (Sound Technician), Pablito Salvador (Lighting Technician) and Adul Lasin (Set Execution and Scenic Artist). 

The marketing, sales and publicity of No Way To Treat a Lady is led by Toots Tolentino (Publicist), Charlie Barredo with Oliver Usison, Letty Barredo, Marie Talay and Rose Silva (Marketing and Sales).

After one year, the highly anticipated and 2012 Broadway World Winner for "Best Music for a Filipino Musical" returns on stage!


4th Wall Theater Company's Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical challenges a regular family on how school rivalry can break or unite a family. It's one of those original Filipino musical which I believe anyone shouldn't miss no matter from what school you're from. Even though it's been a year from the time I first watched the show, I really think that it's brilliant and worth watching for repeatedly. To get a glimpse of how last year went, check out my review here.


Being from La Salle, I've seen how the school becomes a ghost town once Ateneo and La Salle are on the UAAP basketball semi-finals. The school canteens transform into a theater equipped with projector and speakers for unlucky students who still have classes to get an update on what's happening in Araneta Coliseum. There are even professors who require their students to buy tickets and watch the game live since they're fanatics. I experienced attending class during the semi-finals of Ateneo-La Salle when more than half of my classmates are absent so the professor was forced to dismiss the class earlier than the time. One is really out of the social circle if you don't know the details of what's happening in the Ateneo-La Salle semi-finals. I remember a professor saying that one is not a true Lasallian if one has not watch an Ateneo-La Salle basketball game live. Since I'm exposed to this culture during my college days, I do believe that having this school rivalry can put any family to test on where their loyalty is. 

The Lasallites

I remember how I love the songs so much last year! The songs are all original music by Ed Gatchalian and the brilliant lyrics were written by Joel Trinidad. There's a song that goes, "Give me a boy from La Salle, please..." that were sang by the Maryknollers that played over and over in my head for more than a week after watching the show. I think it is a mark of how good the song is because of its ability to retain in one's head.

The Maryknollers

A lot of the former casts are back! OJ Mariano will reprise his role as Paco Valencia together with Maco Alonso as Tommy Basilio and Athena Tibi as Reena San Jose.

OJ Mariano

The supporting cast includes Juliene Mendoza as Anton Valencia, Raymund Concepcion as Demetrio Basilio, Sheila Francisco as Dolores Basilio; Joel Trinidad as the Ateneo coach and Chino Veguillas as the La Salle coach, and a special appearance of Noel Trinidad as Eliseo Genaro. 

Noel Trinidad with Ed Gatchalian

Also featured are veteran theatre artists Caisa Borromeo, Kyla Rivera, Kakki Teodoro, Robbie Zialcita, Jun Ofrasio, Steve Conde, Will Angeles, Jenny Villegas, Diana Alferez, Angela Padilla. Bulinggit Delgado, Nelsito Gomez, Bym Buhain, Mark Tayag, Kevin Concepcion, Andre Calixto, Fran Jose, Jay Pangilinan, Francis Jovina, Harold Cruz and Anthony Tarossa Ong.

 
New actors who will join the show are:

(L-R) Jaime del Mundo, Ed Gatchalian and Joel Trinidad

The Ateneans

L-R Lorenz Martinez, Liesl Batucan, Joel Trinidad, Caisa Borromeo and OJ Mariano

Joel Trinidad is a name that equates to Aliw Award Winner Actor, wonderful writer, talented lyricist and good director. When I first heard of Upstart Productions which Joel co-founded with his wife Emerita Alcid (American Musical Dramatic Academy alumnae & make up artist), with friend Onyl Torres (stage actor, vocal coach and musical director) and his father Noel Trinidad (multi-awarded performer & celebrity), I know that this production company will bring something out-of-the-box.

Forbidden Broadway was first shown in Broadway on May 4, 1982. It is intelligently written by Gerard Alessandrini finally found its way here in Manila! (Thanks to Joel!) With a goal to make fun of Broadway's popular shows like Chicago, Les Miserables, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Mamma Mia!, Rent, Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof and other shows, this show also made fun of Broadway's popular personalities like Barbara Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Stephen Sondheim, etc.

"Chicago" with Caisa Borromeo

"Hairspray" with Caisa Borromeo

Liesl Batucan as Annie

Liesl Batucan as Barbara Streisand

"Cats" with Lorenz Martinez

"Rent" with OJ Mariano and Lorenz Martinez

Liesl Batucan as Liza Minnelli

"Mamma Mia!" with Liesl Batucan and Caisa Borromeo

Caisa Borromeo and OJ Mariano as The Phantom

L-R Caisa Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez, OJ Mariano and Liesl Batucan

"Monty Pithon's Spamalot" with OJ Mariano and Caisa Borromeo

Sondheim's Creations with Liesl Batucan, OJ Mariano and Caisa Borromeo

L-R OJ Mariano, Liesl Batucan and Lorenz Martinez

"Wicked" with OJ Mariano, Caisa Borromeo and Lorenz Martinez

Liesl Batucan

Caisa Borromeo

Well, I haven't watched all the shows that were made fun of but I found the show very funny and interesting. There are times when I'm not familiar with the personality that was being portrayed yet, I laugh my heart out from the punchlines that came out of nowhere. It's like watching a stand-up comedy in a bar but I'm actually in a theater! Somehow, the show also has made me curious to watch the other shows that I haven't watched yet just for me to know if I'll feel the same way the writer did.

There are only 4 actors in this show namely Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, OJ Mariano and Lorenz Martinez. All these actors are personally handpicked by Joel since they have all proven their worth of being good actors from their previous projects. Liesl is a two-time Aliw Award Winner for Best Actress. Caisa recently won the award for Best Female Lead Performance In A Musical at 2010 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards for her portrayal of Jo March in Repertory Philippines's Little Women. OJ has won an Awit Award for Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist in 2006. Lorenz is an international artist who have been part of Miss Saigon in the Netherlands, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in Singapore and he was the voice of Stitch in Hong Kong Disneyland. With these 4 accomplished actors directed by Joel, one can experience something extraordinary when watching them.

Liesl Batucan

Caisa Borromeo

It is amazing how these people transform into different persona every time they appeared on stage within the two hours of watching them. The lights helped in making the actors portray their roles. The actors are very good in changing into their costumes in a snap with no dead air. I've asked during the press preview on how they managed to change in such a quick pace. According to Caisa, she learned how to put on and take off her costumes in the easiest and quickest way possible. Liesl added that there are some scenes where they're wearing multiple costumes underneath and it's their staff who are really good in helping them put on and take off their costumes. Bravo to the staff!

Lorenz Martinez

Caisa Borromeo and Lorenz Martinez

(Right) OJ Mariano

An important and crucial role for the success of this show is the pianist Dingdong Fiel who is also the Musical Director. Aside from playing the piano, he also made some expressions which helped build up the changing atmosphere. He also played a bit role which one should watch out for!

Dingdong Fiel with Liesl Batucan

A unique feat of this show is that there will be different guest performers on each show that will surprise the audience. Famous Filipino performers like Nyoy Volante, Jett Pangan, Aiza Siguerra, Cherie Gil, Lea Salonga and many more will be appearing in one of the scenes which one have to watch out! During the press preview, the surprise performer is the veteran actor father of Joel, Mr. Noel Trinidad! As expected, he is funny as always and his stage presence can be felt naturally. I saw him perform twice this year. The first in Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical and this is the second time. I hope he performs more musicals!

Surprise Performer of the May 10, 8pm Show: Noel Trinidad

Forbidden Broadway is now showing on every Friday & Saturday at 8pm and every Saturday & Sunday at 3pm until May 27, 2012 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati.

The rest of the artistic and creative team of this show is Martin Esteva (Lighting Designer), Lawyn Cruz (Production Designer) who I must say is a very talented production designer who have been with numerous Atlantis Productions's shows, and Onyl Torres (Vocal Coach).

The production staff is composed of Bernice Aspillaga-Canete (Production Manager), Mariko Yasuda (Business Manager) and Lani Tapia (Stage Manager).

The marketing, sales and publicity team is headed by Toots Tolentino (PR & Publicity), Ian Ardiente (Marketing Manager), Mahar Mangahas (Marketing Consultant) and Stanley Ong (Photographer).

If one wants to have a good time and relax on a weekend, this show is just perfect! The missing part of this show are some martinis and bar chow but then, one can go have some after the show since the venue is just in Makati.

Don't they look hilarious enough to tickle your funny bone?

For tickets and inquiries about this show, call Upstart Productions at 0917-5285678 or email upstarttickets@gmail.com or upstartproductionsinc@gmail.com. The tickets can also be bought at www.ticketworld.com.ph.