The inspiration behind Illusione

In Baz Luhrman’s acclaimed revisionist Moulin Rouge, the musical spectacle that unfolds before tragedy strikes is called "Spectacular! Spectacular!" And it turns out to be a fitting title.

Beginning Feb. 22, Bahaghari Productions, Inc., which co-produced the award-winning blockbuster Bagong Buwan, will unveil at Onstage in Greenbelt Makati what could very well be its own "Spectacular! Spectacular!" Directed by Fritz Ynfante with Douglas Nierras as choreographer and James Cooper as image consultant. Illusione promises to take the musical theater to brave new directions with an ensemble cast of theater professionals and professional female impersonators whose "illusions of pop-divadom" – by way of such icons as Diana Ross, Madonna, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, and company – are woven into affecting stories of personal triumphs against all odds.

"Our initial inspiration, of course, were these female small clubs in Manila" says Margie Moran-Florendo who heads Bahaghari together with Nina Romualdez and Carmita Francisco. "Of course, during my time, there were lots more female impersonators working with the live-entertainment circuit, and they had these really fabulous full-blown productions. This is the kind of entertainment that we want to bring with Illusione."

While Bahaghari tapped Fritz to shepherd the production, it quickly took on a different direction and shape. "I certainly wasn’t interested in doing something like what you’d see in those hole-in-the-wall venues, only with better gowns and better make-ups," says Fritz adding, "happily enough, Margie and her associates agreed with me that this should be more than just a bunch of men impersonating these goddesses of pop music. We all agreed this has to be real musical theater, with a story that is fuelled by both words and music. And that is what the public will see when Illusione makes its debut onstage."

Just like any piece of theater, much effort is going into the production to make it a thoroughly satisfying theater experience. According to Douglas, the ensemble –which includes theater artists Jake Macapagal and Kokoy Palma – have been under a gruelling daily rehearsal schedule to perfect not just the elaborate dance passages, including a Swan Lake suite, but even such seemingly inconsequential details as the way, say, Whitney Houston walks onstage.

"These details may seem inconsequential but they complete the illusion that what the audience is seeing is the real thing," says James, who initially resisted slipping back into his Bob Mackie gown as Diana Ross for Illusione but has since been prevailed upon to take his participation beyond behind the scenes.

"Female impersonation is no small work, believe me," says James, "especially the good ones. That’s why I initially turned down the entreaties of Margie and Fritz and everybody else to resurrect my Diana Ross but because doing her properly takes a lot of work. Of course, the right clothes and the right makeup are essential to any good impersonation but you can’t have only these and a dexterous mouth. You have to know the song she underscores – all these minor details have to be in the performance to complete the illusion."

When Illusione opens Onstage in Greenbelt Makati on Feb. 22, the illusion of all these pop icons together in one show will no doubt be complete. Among the most formidable women entertainers to be featured in show-stopping production numbers include Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross, Gloria Gaynor, Tina Turner, Cher, Madonna, Whitney Houston and Jennifer Lopez, with the Queen of Talk Oprah Winfrey turning up to help the story along.

"It’s going to be an exciting piece of musical theater!", says Fritz, his excitement barely contained. The Feb. 22 gala of Illusione will be followed by performances of Feb. 23, March 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16, with all shows beginning at 8 p.m.

Illusione is co-presented by Dove and the Sunday Inquirer Magazine. Sponsors are Diego Dalla Palma-Professional Make-up, Serge Louie Alvarez, Mario’s Restaurant, Red Ribbon, Taters Stadia, Schumacher Leathercraft, The Plaza Catering and Marcella Accessories. Radio partners are 105.1 Crossover, Joey@ 92.3, Wave 89.1 Citilite 88.3, 99.5 RT, K-lite 103.5, and DWTM Magic 89.9. Tickets to Illusione are priced at P600, P900, and P1,200 and are now available at all Ticketworld outlets (891-5610), Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila, Tower Records Alabang and Makati, National Bookstore branches and at Onstage Ticketron on the day of the performances.