All the world’s a stage

Supreme brings together an unprecedented gathering of the crossover stars of Stages, shot at the Music Museum to coincide with its 25th anniversary.

I stood there looking at the horizon. From across the stage, all I could see was a bright light that shot against my face. I could hear the voice of God, and He was giving me specific instructions. Then the house lights went on.

The voice of God was that of director Freddie Santos. Beside him was someone who looked like St. Peter to me. His name is Audie Gemora, legendary star of the theater slash director slash talent manager and co-founder of Stages, the company that manages the stellar careers of all the people you see on this page, onstage right now. Audie and business partner Carlo Orosa, also an entertainment industry stalwart himself, train talents to become artists by making them pass through the right stages, thus the name of their company.

I got my headstart in the entertainment and creative industries via my exposure to the theater. I gained my confidence and gungho attitude from actors and directors I worked with in the past — my strength to handle rejection from the many times I walked out of the audition hall after not getting the part. 

I have worked in all aspects of theater, from onstage to offstage, as part of the cast or crew, from ticket seller to show buyer, name it, I’ve done it. That’s why I have a deep respect for theater people. I know how they are, what they’re like and how hard they work. I know how much of themselves they give and how little they receive. Still, for the love of the craft, they continue to do what they love. 

So every time you pay good money to watch a live theatrical presentation, bear in mind that every peso is worth the blood, sweat and tears of the people who put it together. And more. 

The theatrical roll call

For this STAR Supreme shoot, we asked these crossover stars from TV, film and stage to come dressed as the part — a favorite act,  their breakthrough role, and bring it to life.

The roll call. Audie Gemora as Christopher Gil in No Way to Treat a Lady, Carlo Orosa as Max Bialystock in the much-awaited show The Producers, Karylle and Christian Bautista as Cinderella and Prince Charming in Cinderella — coming very soon. There’s Sam Concepcion who played a very impressive Peter Pan but for our shoot chose to be Troy Bolton in High School Musical, with Tippy Dos Santos as Wendy.  And Ciara Sotto bloomed even more when she did a theatrical turn as Mimi in Rent.

The first time I saw JayR onstage as Ren Mc Cormick in Footloose I was floored by his performance. I think he should perform more. Perennial leading man Gian Magdangal is doing Danny Zuko in Grease while Sheila Valderrama-Martinez is playing Rosario Ruiz. The cast is completed by Morisette Amon as Mitchie Torres in Camp Rock, Guido Gatmaytan as Tyltyl and Chimmi Chua as Mytyl in The Bluebird of Happiness.

“All the world’s a stage and we are all players in it,” I agree. So while we are at it, let’s give it our all. As soon as the lights go up, let the magic take over. Curtains up! 

( More stages of life at twitter.com/officialTIMYAP.)

Photos by GABBY CANTERO, Sittings by DAVID MILAN, Hair and makeup by JOANNA CASTRO, BELEN ARELLANO, NIKKA GALGUERR, and MYRENE SANTOS of The Makeup Secrets School, Assisted by Aliver Castillo, Damien Aldeguer and Lei Angelique Cruz