Calvin back in theater

Unknown to many, Calvin Millado is a successful entrepreneur. He has a franchise of Congo Grill, a popular restaurant that serves Filipino food. Calvin has always had the proclivity to do business. He is one of the most hardworking entertainers. He knows that nothing is permanent in showbiz, and that once you’re up, you’ll also have to go down. Having a keen business sense, Calvin recognizes an opportunity when he sees one. Like when Atlantis Productions offered him to play Roger in Rent in 1999, Calvin grabbed it, took a guitar onstage, sang about finding that one song that would give him glory, and his showbiz career was never the same again. 

Calvin, who was more known then for being a recording artist and host in mainstream entertainment, will be the first to admit, “Playing Roger in Rent reinvented my career in the entertainment business.”  Calvin received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Roger, both in Manila and Singapore.  Victoria Leacock, a good friend of Rent composer Jonathan Larson who came to Manila for the show’s opening, said that Calvin was one of the best Roger she had ever seen.

Calvin’s career began in 1991 when he was discovered fresh out of college.  He released two sold-out recordings — “Sold out thanks to my Mom and Dad,” jokes Calvin — and was also a much sought after host for corporate events.  His first taste of theater was doing shows with Tanghalang Pilipino and Atlantis Productions. 

That first taste of the stage kept Calvin coming back for more as he added play after play to his list of theatrical credits — Jesus Christ Superstar, Dreamgirls, The Rocky Horror Show, Beauty and the Beast, among others.  “Doing Frank N Furter in Rocky Horror Show was really one of my favorites.” Calvin, once again, garnered critical acclaim for putting on platform shoes and a tight corset for The Rocky Horror Show.

For Avenue Q, Calvin ditches the platform shoes for sneakers to play Brian — the not-quite-successful comedian who lives on the street with fiancée Christmas Eve.  “I am excited and nervous at the same time.  It’s been almost six years since I was last onstage and I feel like I am an apprentice again.  The cast is great though and I am sure this will be a lot of fun!” 

Fun is a promise this show can safely make.  It is the fun that has kept Avenue Q running successfully in Manila since 2007 and in Singapore for its month-long, sold-out run at the Esplanade Theater.  Calvin is joined onstage by Rachel Alejandro who returns to the show as Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut, Felix Rivera, Aiza Seguerra, Frenchie Dy, Joel Trinidad and Thea Tadiar-Everley.  These guys and their puppet friends make up the wacky neighborhood that we have all come to love in Avenue Q.  Due to full puppet nudity, parental discretion is advised.

Avenue Q is a Tony Award winning musical with book and lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez and a book by Jeff Whitty.  The show runs from March 12 to 27 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City and is directed by Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga with set design by Mio Infante, lights design by Johnsy Reyes, and puppets by Sam Fuentes based on the original Broadway puppet designs by Rick Lyons.  For details, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187. 

Cinema Rehiyon

The second Cinema Rehiyon is now on going (until tomorrow, Feb. 20) at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theater). Cinema Rehiyon 2010 is a project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Crossing Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc. and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.  It features films and filmmakers from the various regions across the country, highlighting the film communities and movements in Bacolod, Baguio, Bohol, Calabarzon, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Naga, Pampanga, Pangasinan and Samar. Over 70 short and full-length films are being shown most of which are screening in Metro Manila for the first time. 

All screenings are free. For details, e-mail at [email protected] or call Jim Jimenez: 0917-2000126 or Cha See at 0917-5130220.

Samar-Leyte filmfest

Calling Samar and Leyte filmmakers. Film entries are now accepted to the second Pambujan Pelikula Para Sa Publiko Film Festival. The festival which will be held in Pambujan, Northern Samar is organized by Noriel Jarito with the support of the local government of Pambujan, the Provincial Tourism Office and NCCA. Entries in the short film category should not exceed 20 minutes. Films depicting stories about Samar and Leyte of not more than 60 minutes are also accepted. Filmmakers must be of Samar or Leyte in origin or descent. Contestants may submit one or more entries. Winning films will receive P20,000 for the Best Film and P10,000 for the Special Jury Prize and will have the chance to represent Region VIII to the third Cinemarehiyon Film Festival 2011. Deadline of submission is April 30. Works that are on principal photography are accepted. However, final copy of the film must be submitted on or before May 31. For details, call 0928-9604679 or e-mail at [email protected].