Erickson Dela Cruz News

Resorts World Manila's (RWM) upcoming concert staging of Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC cast members Joanna Ampil (Nellie Forbush), Jon Meer Vera Perez (Emile de Becque), Ana Andres (Liat), and Mark Bautista (Lieutenant Joseph Cable) recently met the press.

As a tribute to the 1952 screen version of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, international touring production leading man Duane Alexander (in the childlike water-frolicking frenzy of Don Lockwood) has been captivating Manila audiences in Lunchbox Theatrical Productions' latest smash offering at Solaire's The Theatre. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN kicked off its limited run in the Philippines, which began gala night, August 20, until recently confirmed extension, September 13, which will have the 27-strong cast soaking wet (totaling 26 shows).

Theater and film actress Cherie Gil ('Master Class,' 'Full Gallop') makes her Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) debut via theater director-scenic designer Loy Arcenas ('Corpus Christi,' 'Love! Valour! Compassion!') and playwright Rody Vera's ('The Merchant of Venice,' 'D' Wonder Twins of Boac') reimagining of Anton Chekhov's masterwork 'The Cherry Orchard,' now titled 'Arbol de Fuego,' a flowering tree that bears no fruit, which frames the main entrance to the nearly bankrupt estate Balay Dako in Negros Occidental, Southern Philippines, during the '70s.

Theater and film actress Cherie Gil ('Master Class,' 'Full Gallop') makes her Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) debut via theater director-scenic designer Loy Arcenas ('Corpus Christi,' 'Love! Valour! Compassion!') and playwright Rody Vera's ('The Merchant of Venice,' 'D' Wonder Twins of Boac') reimagining of Anton Chekhov's masterwork 'The Cherry Orchard,' now titled 'Arbol de Fuego,' a flowering tree that bears no fruit, which frames the main entrance to the nearly bankrupt estate Balay Dako in Negros Occidental, Southern Philippines, during the '70s.

Broadway and London's West End star Lea Salonga recently led Filipino opera, ballet, and theater performers at the grand launch of The Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino, the current home of the international touring company of the hit Broadway musical 'Chicago.'

PETA Theater Center (No.5 Eymard Drive, New Manila) hosts the two-weekend run of Off-Broadway's family-friendly magic show WALLY WATTHEAD AND HIS LOST GLOW, which kicked off yesterday, November 14, and will run until Sunday, November 23.

9 Works Theatrical ('The Last 5 Years,' 'Sweet Charity') brings back one of its hit productions last year, GREASE, to relive the teenage '50s at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, in Makati City from tonight, November 15, to Sunday, December 7.

9 Works Theatrical ('The Last 5 Years,' 'Sweet Charity') brings back one of its hit productions last year, GREASE, to relive the teenage '50s at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, in Makati City from this Saturday, November 15, to Sunday, December 7.

I was able to watch the unstoppable, nearly nine-year-old touring production of two-time Olivier Award nominees Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner's parody POTTED POTTER: The Unauthorized Harry Experience twice: the first time was at Little Shubert Theatre Off-Broadway, which starred Clarkson and Turner, in 2012; the second time was at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Manila, which now stars British actors Benjamin Stratton and James Percy, last Tuesday.

The creators of the international hit parody POTTED POTTER, Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, are indeed inseparable!

Back by magical demand, POTTED POTTER: The Unauthorized Harry Experience (A Parody by Dan and Jeff) returns to Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City until Sunday, October 5. Good news, theater fans, #pottedpottermnl and BroadwayWorld.com (BWW) are hosting a trivia challenge, where a you can win a pair of tickets to the show today, October 3, at 5 p.m.! Winner will be drawn today!

Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), presents Arthur Miller's classic play DEATH OF SALESMAN ('Pahimakas Ng Isang Ahente'), translated into Filipino by National Artist for Theater and Literature Rolando Tinio, at Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater) until Sunday, October 19.

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, and Concertus Manila, together with VISA, Smart Infinity, and Solaire Resort and Casino, unveiled via a press launch Tuesday, September 16, that CHICAGO on Broadway's recurring lead actors Bianca Marroquin (Roxie Hart) and Terra C. MacLeod (Velma Kelly) are bound to reprise their signature roles on Broadway when CHICAGO plays Manila at the newly built The Theatre, Solaire Resort and Casino (1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Paranaque City), from Tuesday, December 2, to Sunday, December 21.

In its fifth year, 9 Works Theatrical brings together the first-time tandem of Nikki Gil ('Sweet Charity,' 'They're Playing Our Song') and Joaquin Valdes ('Red,' 'Into the Woods'), playing the beloved couple featured in Jason Robert Brown's ('The Bridges of Madison County,' 'Parade') cult musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS. The production, directed by Robbie Guevara ('Grease,' 'They're Playing Our Song'), runs from Saturday, August 9, until Sunday, August 31, at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

The cast members of Red Turnip Theater's ('Closer,' 'Cock') second season opener, David Lindsay-Abaire's 2007 Pulitzer Prize winning play RABBIT HOLE, were introduced to the members of the press Monday, June 16, at 2nd's, Bonifacio High Street, Global City.

Dulaang UP, together with UP Dulaang Laboratoryo, brings to the stage HARING UBU, a Filipino adaptation of French symbolist writer Alfred Jarry's 'Ubu Roi,' a precursor to the Theater of the Absurd and surrealism, at Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, University of the Philippines (UP).

Despite fear and stress that Philippine cinema icon Cherie Gil had to go through producing and starring in FULL GALLOP, a play based on the life of Diana Vreeland (1903-1989), noted fashion columnist and editor of Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, Gil manages to depict Vreeland as a funny, rapid-fired talker as opposed to being languid and bitchy ala Miranda Priestly in the novel-turned-movie 'The Devil Wears Prada.'

9 Works Theatrical ('Grease,' 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown') held its first batch of auditions for its upcoming production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Opera Haus in Makati City last week. 42 dancers and 16 theater actors--who can dance--showed up at the auditions.

Tanghalang Pilipino, the official theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), closes its 27th theater season with the revival of National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin's 1977 three-act play MGA AMA, MGA ANAK, at the CCP's Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theatre) running now until Sunday, March 9.