All you’ve got to do is dream

I am still constantly amazed by how fast time flies. Wasn’t 2002 just beginning? And now the holiday season is once again upon us. And the Christmas season, for me, is always a time for reflection.

Looking back, it was indeed a good year for us at Atlantis Productions. With the generous support of several corporations (especially The Philippine STAR), block buyers, ticket buyers and the members of the press, we managed to produce three successful theatrical productions. Our first play this year was the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof by David Auburn which we opened in January. It was a wonderful way to welcome the New Year for many reasons. First, we had acquired the rights to stage one of Broadway’s hottest plays so early in its New York success. The Manila production of Proof, was the second production of the play in the world, the first being the Broadway production. We even managed to stage it before the London production opened. Secondly, and most importantly, Tony-winner Lea Salonga graced the production with her unparalleled talent and professonalism. She played the troubled Catherine with so much truth and vulnerability, proven that her talent extends well beyond the musical theater stage. Without fail, every night at the end of the Act One, audiences would gasp with her shocking revelation. Lea and I are currently tossing ideas for what show to do when she returns to Manila for a visit in 2004, the only clue I can give is that it will most probably be a musical this time!

Our second production this year was Jonathan Larson’s semi-autobiographical rock musical tick, tick ... BOOM! It was such a joy putting that show together. I was lucky to work with two of my genuine friends in the industry, Michael de Mesa and Bituin Escalante. They are also two of the most talented performers we have in the country. And then I was introduced to the phenomenal talent of Jett Pangan. After his stunning and triumphant performance as Jon, it was hard to imagine anyone else playing the part, tick, tick ... BOOM! also gave me the chance to work on another Jonathan Larson musical. He is one of the composer/lyricists that I truly feel I have an affinity with.

And we ended the year with The Rocky Horror Show. When I was planning the shows for the year, I knew I wanted to end the year with something that would bring a lot of fun and laughter to our audiences and to ourselves. And what better show to do that than with The Rocky Horror Show, a wild, wicked rock musical that required the audience to participate. As we begun rehearsals for the show, times started to get harder. There were more terrorist threats and the economy was beginning to slump even more. Rocky Horror became the perfect antidote to escape the grim reality our country (and the world) was facing – even if for just a couple of hours. I was truly blessed to assemble one of the most talented ensembles I ever had in one show. It was a wonderful mix of theater veterans, movie stars, concert performers, recording artists and some new performers. And it showed audiences Calvin Millado’s daring brilliance and versatility. Directing The Rocky Horror Show provided me with so many laughs and good memories that I will truly miss the fun and laughter I had putting that show together.

In as much as 2002 was an exciting and productive year for us, I am really looking forward to 2003. We have three very promising productions lined up for next year. All of which I am thrilled to produce and direct.

In March, we will open our first big musical for the year (and also the biggest musical we have ever produced) Dreamgirls. I am also thrilled to be directing Dreamgirls as it was a musical that figured prominently in my teens when I knew that I wanted theater to become my life. When you direct shows like this (like when I directed Rent), you wonder if this was destined to happen all along. Dreamgirls has always been a "dream show" of mine. And now, years after I was first introduced to it, I will finally get to direct it.

Dreamgirls, with music by Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Tim Eyen, took Broadway by storm in the mid ’80s and went on to win six Tony Awards. From it came many hit songs such as We are family, I am changing and And I am Telling You. Dreamgirls tells the inspiring story of three female singers trying to make their dreams come true as the musical landscape changes from rhythm and blues to disco. It is based loosely on the lives of The Supremes. It recently had a sold-out concert staging on Broadway last year. And plans are underway for a revival in New York. I have gathered four of the most amazing female voices in the country right now as the four lead girls. Bituin Escalante and Anna Fegi will be playing the rivaling divas Effie Melody White and Deena Jones, with Tex Ordonez (in her first lead role) and Lana Jalosjos round up the foursome as Lorelle Robbins and Michelle Morris. I am sure the combination of the four voices will truly be explosive and I can’t wait to begin rehearsals. I am also really looking forward to Gerard Salonga joining us as Musical Director. Having worked with him this year on Lea Salonga’s the Broadway Concert, it was not only a joy but an inspiration to see him work. Dreamgirls opens on March 14 at Onstage in Greenbelt.

Immediately after Dreamgirls, we staged a very special two-night concert version of Rent. Featuring many cast members from the Manila and Singapore production and quite possibly a few new faces, the evening will be a celebration of the glorious and inspirational music of Jonathan Larson, as well as an opportunity to once again hear the exhilarating and unparalleled voices of the Pinoy artists.

I am so excited to announce that Atlantis Productions has acquired the rights to one of the most talked about and awarded (not to mention hysterically funny) musicals in recent years – Urinetown: The Musical. Urinetown only opened on Broadway last year and we are again extremely fortunate to have been granted the rights so early into its Broadway success. It continues to be one of the hottest tickets in New York right now. Set in a Gotham-like city overwrought by ecological disaster, Urinetown: The Musical is a tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its very weight in gold. A depletion of the earth’s water supply has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The privilege of pee is regulated by mankind’s most basic needs. Critics have called it one of the most hilarious and exciting musicals to have made its way to Broadway. Urinetown: The Musical recently won three Tony Awards including Best Book of a Musical and Best Music and some of the best reviews in musical theater history. The Philippine premiere of Urinetown will feature Rent alumnus JM Rodriguez in the lead role of Bobby Strong. Urinetown: The Musical was recently listed by Time Magazine as one of the Top 10 Year’s Best Musicals.

So, in as much I mourn the loss of another year, I am truly looking forward to the new one. I am hoping that it will be one of peace and kindness. 2003! Can you believe it? And as each year passes, I value even more the people who have helped me unconditionally throughout the years. I am extremely fortunate to have seen many of my dreams come true in my lifetime and I know that I have had many living angels whose wings have helped me fly. In an era where nations try to show their power and strength by the number of weapons, I think we have forgotten what the most powerful tool we possess as individuals – the power to dream.