|
Wednesday, December 11, 2002
The King and I, ripe for world exhibition
By Roger Serna
Sounds & Images
MUSICAL. It was a truly amazing and culturally-enriching musical that the Cebuanos witnessed at the Ayala Center’s Theater for the Performing Arts (Cinema 1) last Saturday and Sunday. The King and I, directed by Allan Jayme Rabaya, was given a modern touch and sound without eliminating and destroying its “old” production value from beginning to end. The topnotch playwright-director succeeded in his bold experiment, which involved injecting some popular hits to the play. Other directors could not have achieved such a feat. Any attempt on their part could have resulted in them falling flat on their faces. The ever-talented director showed something unique in modernizing an old musical without necessarily dismantling its original plot. The inclusion of current tunes such as I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You, Superman, Perhaps Love and Tell Him in some scenes was truly fantastic. Choreographer Doy Arradaza and musical arranger Jojo Serrano did their respective tasks with true professionalism. The entire production enticed me to comment that The King and I is very ripe for an international staging.
# # #
DRAMATIC. The use of props and the colorful costumes enhanced the beauty of the whole presentation and strengthened the credibility of the musical, which is set in the kingdom of Siam. All the stars in the play, including those cute creatures, were simply fantastic in their stage presence and performance. Christopher Adrian Anglo and Samantha Vanessa Lim stood out in their respective roles as the King and governess Anna, respectively. The musical’s most dramatic part (a heavy one) was the ending scene where Lim sang Rabaya’s own composition, I Don’t Have Forever, with tears welling in her eyes as The King breathed his last.
What a touching scene! Now, I am ready to nominate The King and I as this year’s best musical in Cebu and Rabaya as the undisputed Master of the Stage.
# # #
FILMFEST. Everything is set for the 2002 Metro Manila Film Festival staging in Cebu on Dec. 22. Close to a hundred Manila actors and actresses will come to Cebu for the traditional parade of stars. The night before that, the Diamond Night of Stars will be held at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Lahug.
Movie promo queen Josie Pereyra is the lady behind all the preparations for this major event here in Cebu. More on this in my succeeding articles next week.
# # #
AFFECTION. This popular stage comedian is madly in love with a beautiful teleseries actress whose Caucasian boyfriend is coming to town soon. The comedian’s live-in partner is leaving for Japan next year. Meanwhile, a beauty titlist has just married her long-time boyfriend although she is still in love with her other boyfriend, a Canadian student based here.
(For reactions/feedback, call or text 0916-3483333).
|
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
