MANILA, Philippines - Prepare yourselves as the spirit of the ’60s set in a night club in Manhattan will come to life this coming August as 9 Works Theatrical proudly presents Broadway’s most sensational spectacle and critically-acclaimed dance comedy musical Sweet Charity.
Sweet Charity — with book by Neil Simon and music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and conceived, staged and choreographed by Bob Fosse whose name is synonymous with All That Jazz and Chicago — is about a taxi dancer’s adventures and misadventures in the ways of love and who always gives her heart, and her earnings, to the wrong man.
Sweet Charity was originally directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse when it premiered on Broadway in 1966. With over 600 performances, the production won the Tony Award for Best Choreography in the same year before opening in London a year later. A 1969 film version starred Shirley MacLaine. A Broadway revival in 2005 featured Christine Applegate.
Playing the role of Charity is Nikki Gil. Her forays into theater included a lead role as Elle Woods in the local production of the musical Legally Blonde produced in 2010.
Kris Lawrence plays Oscar Lindquist, a claustrophobic, wimpy nervous man who Charity befriends in a stalled elevator. A neurotic tax accountant by profession, hopefully, he shall give Sweet Charity the love she has longed for.
Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Nickie, the well-worn dance hostess and Ciara Sotto-Oconer as Helene will play the roles of Sweet Charity’s closest confidantes at the Fandango Ballroom, a seedy dance hall where they’re employed as unabashed hostesses.
Sheree Vidal-Bautista plays Carmen, one of Charity’s co-dancers. Miguel Faustmann plays Herman, the authoritarian owner of the Fandango Ballroom and Charity’s boss. OJ Mariano plays the dual role of Vittorio Vidal, the charming, egotistical and confident Italian film star Vittorio Vidal; and Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck, the enigmatic leader of the Rhythm of Life Church. Tasy Garrucha plays Ursala March, the melodramatic actress and Vittorio’s girlfriend.
Joining the ensemble are a mix and match of seasoned talents as well as up and coming actors in the industry. Notable actresses include Caisa Borromeo, singer-actress and Party Pilipinas, blocking director Chinie Nepomuceno, and prima dancers Vinia Pamplona and Carmelle Ros as dancehall hostesses opposite Charity, as well as theater veteran Topper Fabregas, Job Bautista, Francis Matheu, Anthony Tarrosa Ong, Peter Alcedo and Chai Relucio.
The artistic team of Sweet Charity is led by director Robbie Guevara, assistant director Lorenz Martinez, musical director Joseph Tolentino, scenographer Mio Infante, lighting designer Martin Esteva, and with Mio Infante and Hanna de los Reyes as Costume Designers.
Sweet Charity opens on Aug. 5 with performances on all weekends at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. A limited number of performances are now available for fundraising and block-buying. For information, call 557-5860, 586-7105 or 0917-5545560 or email info@9workstheatrical.com.