Love Rocks! returns to Newport

With its vast stage and surely the most comfortable seats in the Philippine theater circuit, it is not at all a surprise that the Newport Performing Arts Theatre, located at the Resorts World Manila in Parañaque, has become the favorite place to go to for entertainment. And judging from recently given announcements, I must say that Newport patrons have several treats in store for them in the theater’s upcoming line-up for this month.

For one, Newport is now the home of the popular Love Rocks! Concert series. Remember that enjoyable Valentine’s week gig which had Peabo Bryson and Jenine Desiderio for guests? Well, host, singer, performer and creator J Michaels has more of the same lined up at the Newport. Next in line to join J Michaels and his incredible Love Rocks! Orchestra will be Stephen Bishop and Bobby Wilson on May 22.

The talented Philippine-born J Michaels created the Love Rocks! series as a showcase for contemporary pop classics that he loves to sing. Part of the concept is that he usually picks out a composer or two for the tribute portion and then performs their famous works. He had Burt Bacharach songs in the February show. This time around, he will be performing the famous songs of The Beatles along with Bishop and Wilson. I am sure you already all know what those songs are and what a treat this Love Rocks! edition will be.

Bringing along his hits is Bishop, who is a big favorite among Pinoys, who, I must say, never tire of listening to his hits like It Might Be You and On And On. As for Wilson, he is the sound-alike and move-alike son of Motown legend, Jackie Wilson, who popularized the tunes Lonely Teardrops and With These Hands, among others. They will also be joining J Michaels when he takes the Love Rocks! Concert series on tour. These dates will be on May 25 at the IC3 Convention Center in Cebu and at the LausGroup Events Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga, May 26.

Then, there is also The Best Day of My Life, starring Zsa Zsa Padilla on May 11. This one is billed as a three-in-one celebration for the one and only Divine Diva. One reason is that the show marks Zsa Zsa’s 35th year in show business. She started as girl-singer of the legendary Manila Sound band Hotdog in 1983. The second is that this is also a Mother’s Day treat. And that is why she is having her two daughters, the TV personality Karylle and the big-selling recording artist, Zia Quizon as her special guests. Please note that this is the very first time that Zsa Zsa is having her girls join in one of her shows.

Then, it is also her very special birthday concert. The ever lovely Zsa Zsa is turning 52 on May 22. And just as she would if she were to throw a party, she has asked her close friends, fellow mothers and fellow performers Kuh Ledesma and Sharon Cuneta to join her on stage. Show director is Paolo Valenciano with Homer Flores as the musical director.

Also celebrating a career milestone with a show is crooner and big band song stylist Richard Poon. His RP10 Richard Poon’s 10th Anniversary Concert will have him performing with a huge 21-piece orchestra. That is certainly quite a turn from Richard’s acoustic café days many years ago. But this is a very important occasion and it is all the better to showcase how Richard has evolved as a performer and his now much in-demand big band repertoire. Richard’s loyal fans will definitely get to enjoy watching him do their old favorites on the show. But there will also be lots of musical surprises in store for them and for all those who will be watching Richard for the first time.

The RP10 Richard Poon 10th Anniversary show will be held on May 18 at the Newport. Now to help him remind the audience of his musical journey this past decade, he has invited several big-name guests to join him on stage. All friends of Richard and superb performers, too, these are Richard Yap, Erik Santos, Christian Bautista, Kean Cipriano, Sitti and Nyoy Volante.