 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
||||
|
||||||
|
|
 | ||||
| Why Sweeney Todd? And at Christmas time? For those familiar with at least the film made popular by Johnny Depp, these questions were too intriguing to pass up. So, one rainy afternoon we barged into rehearsals and apprehended the culprits: an exceptional group of young, but most seasoned, actors one can always find at Repertory Philippines. Ferreting out the answers was a delightful exchange amongst us. And as the conversation progressed, so did the excitement and enthusiasm. Clearly, this musical was going to be another production from sheer love of theatre. Menchu (Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney): Rep first did Sweeney in 1982. Audie (playing Sweeney in the production): We were still snotty little kids then (laughing). Robbie (playing Beadle in Sweeney): This has always been THE dream production for actors. Audie: In the mid-90’s when it came out at the Shang Plaza, it did not make money. Menchu: But for love of musical theatre, it’s the actor’s one big goal. Audie: The movie was too bloody! Not at all like the play. Lena (plays Joanna in Sweeney): But our generation (young adults) liked it a lot! Audie: The public should be convinced that the play is a very rich original – a classic masterpiece, and is in fact an operetta of Sondheim. Robbie: That may be difficult. Menchu: I agree. Robbie: That’s why it’s such a challenge for actors. To begin with, there’s the music. Menchu: It can be really frustrating because it’s hard when you come in “cold” doing Sondheim’s music. You pray you’re in the right key. (Laughs) When you think you’re not, that’s when you are! And when you do get it, it’s just fantastic. Everyone: It’s the dissonance! [Sondheim’s music in Sweeney can seem discordant, and “out of tune”, but that is precisely what makes it intriguing and haunting.] Audie: It’s an Olympic event! Rem butts in: Sondheim has the habit of creating a piece of genius for the character in mind. Menchu: Yeah, the music goes with the character, which makes it very exciting and kind of scary for the actor. Audie: The Philippine Philharmonic is coming in with Gerard Salonga, and it’s going to be live. So you can imagine how challenging it will be for them as well. Lena: This is my first production with Rep. I love music and do opera, and when I auditioned for the part, I knew I just had to be in it! Franco (playing Anthony in Sweeney): I am terribly excited about being in Sweeney, especially when Tito Cocoy (Laurel) first did it. I’ve been in all sorts of productions, both Pilipino and English, but Sweeney Todd is going to be such an experience! It’s difficult to learn, but I’m honored to have been given this part. Menchu (on asking what she thought about Sweeney being viewed by a young audience): It’s not a family show. Lena: For young kids, it’s like a story about the English bogeyman. But like I said earlier, for older kids (like maybe high school and definitely college) it’s a lot of fun. So, why Sweeney Todd? Because it is Sondheim, and it is scary and funny and has great music all at once. Because the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is playing live. And because the cast is out of the ordinary, simply because they love theatre, and their dedication to creating a masterpiece is untiring and resolute. This Christmas will never be the same, thanks to Repertory! Sweeney Todd opens on November 14 and runs until December 13. Tickets are available for the following show dates: November 22, Sunday at 3:30PM November 27, Friday at 8:00PM November 28, Saturday at 8:00PM Ticket prices are: Orchestra Center - Reserved – P700 Orchestra side – Non-Reserved - P500 Balcony – Non-reserved P300 Just call 887-0710 or 215 -8752 now and reserve your tickets. Look for Ms. Rose Silva. |
||||||
 |
||||
|
||||
|
||||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
|
|
|||
 |
||||
|
||||
What's more, we will mail the tickets to your home at no extra cost to you. What have you got to lose? 
REP maintains two groups of eight singers who are available for special after-dinner entertainment, product launches, or other corporate affairs. One group is composed of veteran, professional solo performers; the other, of talented, young, up-and-coming singers. The program features show-stopping performances of show-tune medleys arranged for solos, duets, and octets with simple choreography.
