“THE PRODUCERS,” the happiest and gayest musical in the universe

Tweet

THE PRODUCERS, the biggest hit in Broadway history, is all set to conquer Manila’s theater scene when the musical opens on November 15 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.

Presented by Repertory Philippines in celebration of its 46th year, THE PRODUCERS (based on Mel Brooks’s 1968 hit movie) has become a Broadway phenomenon, turning the tradition of a Broadway musical on its head more than any other show in the history of the Great White Way. With a run of over 2,500 shows on Broadway, over two years at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane and many hundreds of shows performed on tour and international productions, THE PRODUCERS is one of the most highly awarded musicals, having received 12 Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards in 2001 and three Laurence Olivier Awards in 2005. A remake of the big-screen version in 2005 featured Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, the stars of the original Broadway production, as well as Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell.

Written by Hollywood comic veteran Mel Brooks (creator of SPACEBALLS, BLAZING SADDLES, and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, among many others), and Thomas Meehan (HAIRSPRAY), with songs arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman, THE PRODUCERS is a story about Max Bialystock, a struggling Broadway producer and Leo Bloom, a stage-struck accountant. These two men join forces in order to make mega-bucks by producing the worst musical ever seen on Broadway. When they receive a musical script from Franz Liebkind, an ex-Nazi stormtrooper, which tells the story of Hitler’s rise to power in song and dance, they are convinced that they have found a show that is guaranteed to offend just about everybody.

The Philippine production of THE PRODUCERS will be directed by Jaime del Mundo, with the able support of top caliber actors CARLO OROSA and ROBIE ZIALCITA alternating as Max Bialystock, the down-on-his-luck theatrical producer and a shameless con man facing bankruptcy, who woos little old ladies into backing his shows.

TOPPER FABREGAS takes on the role of Leopold ‘Leo’ Bloom, a mousy mild-mannered accountant who transitions from an uptight corporate drone to a freewheeling Broadway playboy.

Media icon G TÖNGI will tackle the role of Ulla, a blonde Swedish bombshell who auditions for the show and becomes Max and Leo’s secretary/receptionist.

Actor-director JOEL TRINIDAD plays Franz Liebkind, a former Nazi whose play is chosen by Max and Leo as a definite flop.

Stage and screen veteran NOEL TRINIDAD (Joel’s father) takes on the role of Roger De Bris, the flamboyant homosexual cross-dresser chosen to direct the show. He will be alternating with role of Roger with one of the icons of Philippine musical theater AUDIE GEMORA.

Versatile actor NOEL RAYOS will take the role of Carmen Ghia, Roger’s “common law assistant.”

The ensemble is composed of Nelsito Gomez, Steven Conde, Tristan Cheng, Jay Pangilinan, Chino Veguillas, Leroy de Guzman, Natalie Everett, Daff Abear, Liesl Batucan, Mica Pineda, Shalee Vicencio, and Gemini Quintos.

Co-presented by the City of Makati, THE PRODUCERS promises to be a Broadway thrill ride, with silly gags, irreverent humor, and show-stopping musical numbers at every turn.

The show runs from November 15 to December 15, 2013, with shows on the following dates:

Nov 15, Fri, 8pm - REPERTORY PHILIPPINES - 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Nov 16, Sat, 8pm - REPERTORY PHILIPPINES - 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Nov 17, Sun. 3:30pm - REPERTORY PHILIPPINES - 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Nov 22, Fri, 8pm -REPERTORY PHILIPPINES - 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Nov 23, Sat, 8pm -REPERTORY PHILIPPINES - 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Nov 24, Sun 3:30 pm -REPERTORY PHILIPPINES -02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Nov 30, Sat, 8pm - Philippine College of Chest Physicians- 02 924 9204 / 0917 506 4572 

Dec 1, Sun, 3:30pm - REPERTORY PHILIPPINES - 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Dec 7, Sat, 8pm - REPERTORY PHILIPPINES - 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Dec 8, Sun, 3:30 pm - REPERTORY PHILIPPINES - 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Dec 14, Sat, 8pm - REPERTORY PHILIPPINES - 02 891 9999 / 02 571-6926 

Dec 15, Sun, 3:30 pm - Ma. Clarissa C. Arguelles & Kathleen Blanca Littua - 0917 812 8325

All performances are at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legazpi St., Makati City.

The artistic and creative team of THE PRODUCERS is led by Baby Barredo (Artistic Director), Jaime del Mundo (Director), Onyl Torres (Musical Director), Mio Infante (Set Designer), Natalie Everett (Choreographer), and John Batalla (Lighting Designer).

The production staff is composed of Gidget Tolentino (Production Manager), Goldie T. Soon (Stage Manager), Pol Roxas (Sound Technician), Pablito Salvador (Lighting Technician) and Adul Lasin (Set Execution and Scenic Artist).

The marketing, sales and publicity team is led by David Bianco (Marketing Director), Toots Tolentino (PR Director), Oliver Usison (Marketing Assistant), Marie Talay (Cashier) and Rose Silva (Sales Supervisor), John Alaras (Design Director), Jojo Mamangun (Photographer), and Lightshapers/ Repertory Philippines (Video Production).

To accommodate all inquiries, Repertory Philippines is now accepting reservations for schools, civic groups and corporate sponsorships.

For details of the show, you may contact us the following ways:

By phone: 571-6926 and 571-4941

By e-mail: shows@repertoryphilippines.com

By Internet: http://www.repertoryphilippines.com

Tickets are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/

Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter: www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram: www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube: www.youtube.com/repphils

Repertory Philippines would like to thank its sponsors: The City of Makati, Business World, BusinessWorld High Life, HerWord.com, Ticketworld, BroadwayWorld, Ayala Malls, Bizu and Greenbelt for their continuing support.

THE PRODUCERS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684

Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

May not be suitable for children under the age of ten. Children under the age of four are not permitted.

Repertory Philippines presents "The Producers' set to open on November 15

Tweet

In celebration of its 46th year, Repertory Philippines proudly closes its 76th theater season with THE PRODUCERS.

Adapted from the 1968 Mel Brooks film of the same name, The Producers was written by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with songs arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. The humor of the show draws on ridiculous accents, homosexual stereotypes, and Nazis, along with many show business in-jokes.

The original Broadway production, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, opened at the St. James Theatre on April 19, 2001 and ran for 2,502 performances, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. It spawned a successful London production running for just over two years, US national tours, many productions worldwide, and a 2005 film version. 

Directed by Jaime del Mundo, the cast of THE PRODUCERS features CARLO OROSA and ROBIE ZIALCITA (alternating as Max Bialystock), TOPPER FABREGAS (as Leo Bloom), and GISELLE TONGI (as Ulla).

Carlo Orosa

CARLO OROSA is an accomplished recording artist and stage actor who has garnered recognition in both music and acting. He has been nominated in three separate categories at the prestigious Awit Awards, the 2004 and 2008 ceremonies of which he was later invited to judge. Though known primarily as a pop singer, Carlo has done lead and supporting roles in musicals such as Joseph the Dreamer, The Great White Way (Beauty and the Beast), The Happy Prince, First Name, Honk!, Florante at Laura, Once On This Island, The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe, The Little Mermaid, and, most recently, N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat). He has also worked alongside international superstar Lea Salonga (with whom he shared a record label, Octo Arts EMI, from 1989 to 1991) as a guest in her Broadway Concert at the PICC Plenary Hall in 2002. He first worked with Lea as the Teen Angel and Johnny Casino in the Philippine run of the Broadway musical Grease for Maxi Media Productions at the Meralco Theater in 1994, and, more recently, he was featured alongside her during a visit of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to the Philippines in 2009. His life testimony was aired in The 700 Club, a distinguished TV program (hosted by evangelist Pat Robertson) that regularly features prominent figures. He has also been the Philippine National Director for the World Championships of the Performing Arts since 2007, and has produced Junior World Champion Performers for three straight years (Aria Clemente in 2007, Catherine Loria in 2008, and Rhap Salazar in 2009). Currently, Carlo is the Business Unit Head for Stages Production Specialists Inc, a talent management company for various artists, including Christian Bautista, Karylle, Sam Concepcion, Enrique Gil, Jay-R, Krista Kleiner, Nanette Inventor, and Hayden Kho.

Robie Zialcita

ROBIE ZIALCITA has appeared on stage in quite a number of notable original musicals, namely Alikabok (1996), The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe (1997, 1998, 2002) and Rivalry (2012, 2013). He is currently starring in Bluebird, marking his fourth original musical in a career spanning 19 years since his first musical for Repertory Philippines, Camelot, staged in 1994. His other theater credits include Carousel, You Can’t Take It With You, The Sound of Music, Moose Murders, and Sweeney Todd (as Adolfo Pirelli). He has also appeared in Rep’s Children’s Theater; playing the Emperor in The Emperor’s New Clothes (1994), Gepetto in Pinocchio (1996), Fred (a dwarf) in Snow White and Cat-in–the-Hat & Mr. Mayor in Seussical. 

Outside Repertory Philippines, Robie has been a part of productions like Baby: The Musical (for which he was nominated for an Aliw Award), Chess, Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, and Xanadu.

Topper Fabregas

TOPPER FABREGAS recently starred as Claire in the critically acclaimed run of Jean Genet's The Maids (directed by Anton Juan) for MusicArtes. He was last seen on the Repertory Philippines stage in the hilarious Boeing Boeing (as Robert Castin) and served as Assistant Director for Disney's Camp Rock. His other Rep credits include: Jekyll & Hyde (Ensemble), Leading Ladies (Jake Gable/Stephanie), Shakespeare In Hollywood (Daryl), The Secret Garden (Dickon), The Sound Of Music (Rolf), The Taming Of The Shrew (Bianca/Grumio), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), God’s Favorite (Ben Benjamin), Fame (Nick Piazza), A Christmas Carol (Young Ebenezer/Harry), Cliffhanger (Melvin McMullan), Gay Birds (Emil) and Aladdin Jr. (Aladdin). For Trumpets, Topper’s other acting credits include Castrato (Peter Maclean), The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe (Peter Pevensie: Manila Premiere Cast), and Honk! (Ensemble). For Atlantis Productions, he has appeared in Urinetown (Tiny Tom), Disney’s Beauty & The Beast (Ensemble), Baby: The Musical (Ensemble). He also portrayed roles in Aspects Of Love Manila and Singapore (Hugo/Alex cover) for New Voice Company and Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Metropolitan Theater Guild. Most recently, he played the role of Joleon in Digital Divide, one of the entries in last year's Virgin Labfest at CCP. Topper also served as Assistant Director of the original musical Breakups & Breakdowns for Upstart Productions. In 2007, Topper left Manila to complete his studies at the Circle in the Square Theatre School in Manhattan. His New York theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysander/Flute), Urinetown (Hot Blades Harry), And The World Goes Round (Male 1), Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio), As You Like It (Adam/Jacques), and If You Give A Pig A Pancake for Theaterworks USA. A regular workshop instructor, Topper also teaches Grade 9 and 10 Drama at Beacon Academy, and has appeared in a number of commercials for Globe, Bioflu, SkyCable, Jollibee, etc. Topper is one of the founding members of the recently launched Red Turnip Theater (along with fellow actors Jenny Jamora, Ana Abad Santos, Cris Villonco and Rem Zamora), Their maiden production, Patrick Marber's Closer, opens this October. He is slated to take on the role of John for their production of the off-Broadway hit Cock, set to open next February.

Giselle Tongi-Walters

GISELLE TÖNGI- WALTERS, better known as "G,” has been acting in countless Philippine film and television projects for the past 20 years. Also known as VJ G, she became an on-air host for MTV Asia in the nineties. As an actress, singer (for Sony Music Philippines) and dancer, this multi-faceted artist has won a raft of awards, including a Davey, a Telly, an Aurora, and a Metro Manila Best Supporting Actress award. Theatrically trained at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute and Broadway Dance Center (concentration in jazz) in New York City, she also holds a Bachelor of Arts Communications degree with emphasis in New Media and a double minor in Film, Television & Digital Media Arts and Theatre from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Giselle has appeared in multiple presentations of The Vagina Monologues in Los Angeles and Manila, and has played Jean in Stage Door and Conchita in Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer prize winning play Anna in the Tropics. Most recently, she appeared as Marlene Dietrich in Piaf for Atlantis Productions. Earlier this year, G completed ABS-CBN’s highly rating fantaserye Aryana, where she portrayed the antagonist, Stella. She was also the host of One MEGA’s “Mega Young Designers Competition All Stars” that recently aired on ETC. A writer as well as an actor, Giselle occasionally contributes to the Philippine Star (via her "Oh My G" column) and to the online news network, Rappler for the entertainment/ life & style section. She has taught for the International Academy of Film and Television in LA, where she mentors actors. She is also involved in SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans), teaching children Filipino culture through creative dramatics. A proud member of the Screen Actors Guild of America, Giselle’s true passion is to help the plight of Philippine women’s reproductive health and works closely with Likhaan, a Manila based NGO with a similar advocacy. Her proudest accomplishment, however, is being a hands-on mother to her two children, Sakura and Kenobi. She juggled family life as a full-time student all through her college adventures at Pierce Community College and the University of California in Los Angeles and continues to do so in Manila as a working mom.

THE PRODUCERS is set to open on November 15 and will run until December 15, 2013. All performances are at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legaspi St., Makati City. 

To accommodate all inquiries, Repertory Philippines is now accepting reservations for schools, civic groups and corporate sponsorships. 

For more informationa and details of the show, you may call at 571-6926 and 571-4941

Contact via e-mail: shows@repertoryphilippines.com and http://www.repertoryphilippines.com

Tickets are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/

Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks: 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter: www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram: www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube: www.youtube.com/repphils

Fasten your seatbelts! It’s going to be a bumpy ride! Repertory Philippines’ 76th theater season opener BOEING BOEING

Tweet

Repertory Philippines’ 76^th theater season opener BOEING BOEING, the classic '60s sex comedy is currently running until February 17, 2013.  This is the funniest, truly strikingly and sexiest stage play I watched. We laugh out loud and I can't get over as I enjoyed this play so much.  Thankful to Mr. Toots Tolentino for inviting me to the press preview at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legazpi St., Makati City last January 24.

BOEING BOEING is one of the funniest and sexiest evenings you will spend in a theatre!

Boeing-Boeing is a classic farce written by French playwright Marc Camoletti.                                    The English language adaptation, translated by Beverley Cross, was first staged in London at the Apollo Theatre in 1962 and transferred to the Duchess Theatre in 1965, running for a total of seven years.

Winner of the 2008 Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Play, BOEING BOEING (by Marc Camoletti and translated from the original 60’s-set French play by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans) is directed by Miguel Faustmann.

David Bianco as Mr. Bernard Whitford
(Photo: Jojo Mamangun)

It’s the 1960s, and swinging bachelor Bernard couldn’t be happier: a flat in Paris and three gorgeous stewardesses all engaged to him without knowing about each other. But Bernard’s perfect life gets bumpy when his friend Robert comes to stay and a new speedier Boeing jet throws off all of his careful planning. Soon all three stewardesses are in town simultaneously, timid Robert is forgetting which lies to tell to whom, and catastrophe looms.

A riotous farce that recently enjoyed hit revivals in London and New York, BOEING BOEING is  now set to arrive – fasten your seatbelts! It’s going to be a bumpy ride!

The cast features David Bianco as Mr. Bernard Whitford, an American architect businessman living in Paris ---  a swinging bachelor. He is a combination of Don Draper and Jack Tripper. A playboy who juggles love affairs with three air hostesses who touch down briefly but lovingly in his apartment between flights.

Topper Fabregas as Robert (Photo: Jojo Mamangun)

Topper Fabregas plays the role of the unworldly Robert, Bernard’s boyhood friend, newly arrived from Wisconsin.

Bringing to mind fantasy drawings from a vintage Esquire or  Playboy for a portfolio of international dream girls are the three fiancées: Giannina Ocampo as  Gabriella, the sentimental, lusty Italian stewardess. Carla Dunareanu as Gretchen, the hilarious, aggressive, dominating but thin-skinned German stewardess. Jennifer Blair Bianco as Gloria, the Southern belle with upbeat disposition take-charge health-obsessed American stewardess.

Baby Barredo plays the role of Bertha, Bernard's long-suffering housekeeper who is a chic, black-clad philosopher. A French existentialist maid who loves nothing more than to complain. Ms. Joy Virata is alternate.

The artistic and creative team of BOEING BOEING is led by Baby Barredo (Rep Artistic Director), Miguel Faustmann (Stage Director/Set Designer), John Batalla (Lighting Designer), and Raven Ong (Costume Designer).

BOEING BOEING’s production staff is composed of Juno Henares (Officer-in-Charge), Gidget Tolentino (Production Manager), Andrew Miranda (Stage Manager), Pol Roxas (Sound Technician), Pablito Salvador (Lighting Technician) and Adul Lasin (Set Execution and Scenic Artist).

The marketing, sales and publicity of BOEING BOEING is led by Toots Tolentino (Publicist), Charlie Barredo with Oliver Usison, Letty Barredo, Marie Talay and Rose Silva (Marketing and Sales) and photography by Jojo Mamangun.

Co-presented by the City of Makati in cooperation with Business World, Her Word.com, Ayala Center, Lane Moving and Storage, Bizu, Jack TV, ETC, 2^nd Avenue, Liberating Jepoy and Distinction Lamps.  BOEING BOEING is presented through special arrangement with Eric Glass Ltd.

For further inquiries regarding the details of show, please call 5716926 or 5714941 or email info@repertory.ph or log on to www.repertory.ph. Tickets are also available through Ticketworld at 8919999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Visit www.repertory.ph, subscribe to youtube.com/repertoryphils, and “like” Repertory Philippines on Facebook.

Boeing-Boeing was produced on Broadway at the Cort Theatre from February 2, 1965, closing on February 20, 1965, after 23 performances.

In 1991, the play was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most performed French play throughout the world.

The play was adapted by W!LD RICE production in Singapore in 2002. It was directed by Glen Goei. Glen and the company revisited, modernized, and relocated this classic comedy to Asia and the present day, whilst keeping faithful to the text and the spirit of the play. The three air hostesses's nationalities were changed to Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.

Boeing-Boeing was revived in London in February 2007 at the Comedy Theatre. It once again proved to be a hit with critics and audiences alike. The original cast of the production featured Roger Allam as Bernard, Frances de la Tour as Bertha, Mark Rylance as Robert, and Tamzin Outhwaite, Daisy Beaumont and Michelle Gomez as Bernard's three fiancées, Janet, Jaqueline and Judith. This production received two Olivier Award nominations, for Best Revival and Best Actor (Mark Rylance), but won neither. Elena Roger later took on the role of Gabriela.

Warchus also directed the 2008 Broadway revival, which started previews on April 19, 2008 and opened on May 4 at the Longacre Theatre to good reviews. The cast featured Christine Baranski as Bertha, Mark Rylance, reprising his role as Robert, Bradley Whitford as Bernard, Gina Gershon as Gabriella, Mary McCormack as Gretchen and Kathryn Hahn as Gloria. The curtain call of this revival was choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with original music by Claire van Kampen.  The production closed on January 4, 2009, after 279 performances and 17 previews.

A 45-week North American tour began in Fall 2009.  The production won the Best Revival of a Play and Rylance won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor. The production was nominated for several other Tony Awards including: Best Featured Actress (Mary McCormack), Best Director (Matthew Warchus), Best Costume Design (Rob Howell) and Best Sound Design (Simon Baker). The production won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play, and Mark Rylance won for lead actor in a play.