Felix & Bea: Talented, disciplined & passionate

Felix Rivera and Bea Garcia, two of the most accomplished young stars in the local musical theater world, will once again share the same stage in Atlantis Productions’ staging of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning rock musical Next To Normal when it opens on March 11 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Felix, known as the “Golden Boy” of Philippine musical theater, has performed lead roles in numerous musicals such as Princeton/Rod in Avenue Q, Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Sonny Malone in Xanadu and Henrik in A Little Night Music. His performances have garnered him critical acclaim in both Manila and Singapore. In Next To Normal, he takes on the role of Gabe, the seemingly perfect son.

Bea has been in musical theater since she was a child where she was part of Repertory Philippines’ Les Miserables. She has since performed in numerous musicals including Hairspray, Spring Awakening, Xanadu and A Little Night Music. In Next To Normal, she plays Natalie, the daughter trying desperately to be perfect.

Director Bobby Garcia says of the two young stars, “I have worked with Felix and Bea numerous times in the past. They truly represent the best of the next generation of musical theater actors. Not only are they talented, but they have tremendous discipline and a burning passion for theater. It’s in their blood. It is always a joy to work with young performers who have that passion.”

Felix and Bea join a powerhouse cast featuring Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Jett Pangan, Jake Macapagal, and making his musical theater debut, Pilipinas Got Talent finalist Markki Stroem.

Next To Normal is a contemporary rock musical that explores how one suburban household copes with a family crisis. With provocative lyrics and an electrifying musical score that includes more than 30 original songs, Next To Normal shows exactly how far two parents will go in order to keep themselves sane and their family’s world intact.

For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187.

Andy Fletcher at Republiq

Avant Artists and Driven Manila with Republiq bring to the country Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher. Fondly known as “Fletch”, Andy will be performing his live DJ set tomorrow night at Republiq. 

Depeche Mode was formed in 1980 by the trio, Dave Gahan on lead vocals, Martin Gore on keyboards, guitar and vocals with Andrew Fletcher on bass and keyboards. Recognized as one of the most popular and influential groups over the last 30 years, Depeche Mode has played to audiences in excess of 30 million with 48 songs in the UK Singles Charts and No. 1 albums in the UK, US and throughout Europe.

According to EMI, Depeche Mode has sold over 100 million albums and singles worldwide, making them the most successful electronic band in music history. Q magazine calls Depeche Mode, “The most popular electronic band the world has ever known.”

The band had its head start back in 1980 while playing a live gig at the local club, Bridge House in Canning Town, London. They were approached by Daniel Miller (an electronic musician and founder of Mute Records), who offered them to record singles for his burgeoning label.

The single Just Can’t Get Enough, a relentlessly upbeat piece of synth-pop became the band’s first UK Top 10 hit and remains one of their best known songs. Through the years the band consistently churned out hit song after hit song that include fan favorites: Somebody, People are People, Blasphemous Rumors, Strangelove, Master and Servant, Behind the Wheel and Personal Jesus.

Andy apart from his duties as bass and keyboard player also act as the band’s spokesperson as well as taking on the role as the band’s manager. In 2002, Andy started his own record label and began performing DJ gigs. He is currently on tour playing festivals and clubs in Europe and South America. This 2011 he will be doing DJ sets in Romania, Ukraine, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Korea and will be performing his live DJ set in Manila tomorrow, Feb. 24 at Republiq.