‘Singa-pouring’ in the rain

Another critically acclaimed production from London’s West End comes to Manila this month — the ever-popular musical Singin’ in the Rain.

Co-presented in Manila by VISA Entertainment, Singin’ in the Rain will open on Aug. 20 and play for a strictly limited season at The Theatre of Solaire Resort and Casino. I was part of a group invited to watch the musical in Singapore.

This sensational production of Singin’ in the Rain extended its run at the Chichester Festival Theatre in the UK due to unprecedented public demand, before transferring to the famous Palace Theatre in London in 2012. Now, after a sell-out West End season, unparalleled praise from critics and audiences alike, four Olivier Award nominations, and a major UK tour, Singin’ in the Rain is set to delight Philippine audiences.

Set in 1927, the musical tells the story, made famous by Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in the 1952 classic, of the first Hollywood musical, when the silver screen found its voice and left silent movies (and some of its stars) behind. This spectacular production is packed full of the charm, romance, comedy and Tinseltown glamour of one of the world’s best-loved movies and features all the songs from the movie score including Good Morning, Make ‘Em Laugh, Moses Supposes and, of course, Singin’ in the Rain.

In the musical, Don Lockwood is a silent movie star with everything he could want — fame, adulation and a well-publicized “romance” with his co-star Lina Lamont (brilliantly played by Taryn-Lee Hudson). But Hollywood is about to change forever. There is rumor in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk…and sing...and dance. Can Don and the uniquely voiced Lina make the transition from silent movies to talkies and will chorus girl Kathy Selden fulfil her dream of stardom and capture Don’s heart along the way?

The movie Singin’ in the Rain features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, with original screenplay and adaptations by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Its stage production is based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures Inc. Singin’ in the Rain’s music is published by EMI and produced by arrangement with Maurice Rosenfield, Lois F. Rosenfield and Cindy Pritzker Inc. 

The musical’s Manila production is directed by Jonathan Church, with musical supervisor Robert Scott and Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Andrew Wright. It is designed by Simon Higlett, with sound by Matt McKenzie and lighting by Tim Mitchell. Resident director for this show is Anton Luitingh, who is excited about his first time in Manila. Anton has directed The Sound of Music, Jersey Boys and Jesus Christ Superstar in the past.

Luitingh said he expects more people in the audience laughing in Asia, which is good for the 23 cast members. He also has four touring musicians plus the conductor; the rest of the band, which plays on a platform above the stage, will be Filipinos.

The movie’s choreography is brought to life in the stage production of  Singin’ in the Rain. With the help of 12,000 liters of water, the audience can enjoy one of the most iconic dance routines live on stage! Try to get tickets for the first three rows known as “The Splash Zone” but don’t worry, free ponchos come with your tickets for this zone.

Presenter and CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions James Cundall said, “This production of Singin’ in the Rain was one of the hottest tickets in the West End during its run, and I’m sure it will generate the same buzz in the Philippines.  I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to bring one of my favorite musicals to Manila audiences — this show is a winner because it sends people out of the theater in the happiest of moods! The movie Singin’ in the Rain is arguably the greatest Hollywood musical ever made because of the incredible range and complexity of its song and dance numbers. To see these performed live on a theater stage is a breathtaking experience. The rain scene is just about everyone’s favorite screen musical moment — and on a theater stage, it is awesome and has to be seen to be believed!”

Co-presenter Bambi Rivera-Verzo, chief executive of Concertus, added, “Singin’ in the Rain is the most brilliant comedy about the film industry. Egomaniac stars, monstrous film moguls, fickle fans, classic ‘golden-era’ choreography and slapstick comedies are all brilliantly included. There are floods of laughter and a drenching of big, colorful and remarkable musical numbers.”

Duane Alexander plays Don Lockwood. He was part of the original South African cast of Cats, performing the roles of Coricopat, Mungojerrie and Skimbleshanks in Lebanon, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Scandinavia, Qatar and Taipei. Bethany Dickson, who played the lead in The Sound of Music in China, New Zealand and Singapore, returns to the stage as the aspiring actress Kathy Selden. Steven Van Wyk adds humor in his role Cosmo Brown, originally played in the film by Donald O’Connor.

With high-energy choreography, sumptuous set design and costumes, a superb score and a joyous story, Singin’ in the Rain showers you (literally, too) with everything you could wish for in a hit musical. Enjoy laughing and perhaps singing to familiar songs; the show is perfect for the entire family as well. 

Singin’ in the Rain is presented in Manila by David Atkins Enterprises, Michael Cassel Group, Concertus Manila, Dainty Group and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions. It is produced by Stage Entertainment and Chichester Festival Theatre. It is co-presented in Manila by VISA Entertainment. The official venue partner is The Theatre at Solaire. Official ocean carrier is OOCL. Special thanks to Diamond Hotel. Media partners include ABS-CBN, 2nd Ave., My Movie Channel, The Philippine STAR, BusinessWorld, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Ayala Malls, Bonifacio Global City, Rustan’s, ClickTheCity.com, PEP.ph and Philstar.com.

(The Manila season of Singin’ in the Rain opens next Thursday, Aug. 20. Tickets are on sale through TicketWorld. Call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.) Certain photos by Pepper Teehankee on a Canon PowerShot S120

A grand welcome for Fil-Ams

World-renowned Filipino hospitality greeted the Filipino-American delegates to the 10th Ambassador, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) during a gala dinner at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.

Hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the event served as a formal welcome for the delegates who came from different parts of the US to reconnect with their Filipino roots and experience the Philippines.

The ACGTDT organizes a special tour to popular Philippine destinations that would allow the participants to savor the food, see the beautiful sites, learn more about the history, and experience the hospitality that Filipinos are famous for. The event is an annual excursion program for Filipino-Americans.

This year, the delegates’ itinerary included visits to Cebu City, Carcar (how I love Carcar’s chicharon!), Argao, Sibonga and Mactan islands.

Welcoming the excited guests were TPB COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia. Enerio said, “We are pleased to welcome you back to the Philippines. You’re the best ambassadors in promoting the country’s tourism abroad. May this event not only deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Philippines, but also inspire your foreign friends and loved ones to come and visit the country.”

The delegates were treated to a live jazz entertainment led by renowned Filipino saxophonist Vince Lahorra and world-class performances by Asia’s Got Talent finalists Gerphil Flores, Gwyneth Dorado and Junior New System.

US-born classical crossover singer John Paul Puno said, “I just want to see the Philippines. I think it’s a beautiful country.” On the other hand,  Rose Marie Knaus, who came with her husband James, said, “We’re excited to be back. We’re blown away by the execution of this event. Aside from visiting beautiful places, we’re also planning to sell properties. We believe the country is rich in potential.”

(The ACGTDT is a featured event of the Visit the Philippines 2015 campaign. Catch more fun and exciting events happening this year at www.visitph2015.com.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)