Oliver Oliveros - Page 43

2011 BroadwayWorld.com (BWW) Philippines Awards' runaway winner, the Philippine Stagers Foundation, opened its newest theatrical offering, "JOE: The Filipino Rock'sical," an original Filipino rock musical that deconstructs the ideologies of the Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal, last weekend at St. Cecilia's Auditorium, St. Scholastica's College

The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the first Filipino-organized orchestra outside the Philippines, which is based in California, presents "FASO is Bach to Rock!," an eclectic concert featuring classical masterpieces by Johann Sebastian Bach; pop-rock anthems such as Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and Led Zepellin's "Stairway to Heaven," arranged by Filipino composer Louie Ramos; popular disco songs; and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) on Saturday, July 28 at Ford Theatres (2580 Cahuenga Boulevard, East Hollywood).

It's a gargantuan war among Lea Salonga (Veronica), Adrian Pang (Michael), Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Anette), and Art Acuña (Alan) as they bring to life Tony Award-winning playwright Yasmina Reza's brutally honest characters in her play GOD OF CARNAGE, which opens in Manila tonight, and runs until Sunday, July 22 at Carlos. P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

Imported Broadway shows do not enjoy the luxury of having long previews with test audiences. The Asian touring production of Yasmina Reza's 2009 Tony Award-winning play, "God of Carnage," a case in point, starring Tony winner Lea Salonga, which premieres in Manila this weekend, and tours Singapore in November, is no exception.

Filipino-American performing artist Stephanie Reese wears many hats: for the theater enthusiast, she is Esmeralda in the world premiere production of Disney's HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME or the "German" Kim in the German production of MISS SAIGON; for the concertgoer, she is the "Standing Ovation Queen," who never fails to bring her audiences to their feet, and who once shared the stage with Grammy winners Patti Labelle and Natalie Cole; and for the social worker - for nonprofit organizations such as Gawad Kalinga, Make A Wish Foundation, or World Vision - she is a young lady who has a compassionate heart for children who are in dire need of help.

Imported Broadway shows do not enjoy the luxury of having long previews with test audiences. The Asian touring production of Yasmina Reza's 2009 Tony Award-winning play, "God of Carnage," a case in point, starring Tony winner Lea Salonga, which premieres in Manila this weekend, and tours Singapore in November, is no exception.

Upstart Productions brings back Off-Broadway smash FORBIDDEN BROADWAY(Greatest Hits), a musical revue that parodies old and new Broadway musicals, at Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City on Friday, August 24 and Saturday, August 25.

In its eight season, Diverse City Theater Company presents Pulitzer Prize and Tony nominee Lee Blessing's 1990 political play, TWO ROOMS, at Theatre Row's The Lion Theatre, located at 410 West 42nd Street, from Thursday, August 9 until Saturday, August 25. Jamie Richards directs.

Actor, director, and playwright Lee Siegel, who made his Broadway debut as Simon Zealotes in Des McAnuff's recently closed revival of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, has created a slideshow chronicling the production's first few months in New York City; the photo set - his gift to the cast - includes rehearsal sessions; meet and greet with the press; intimate concert for fans at "The Crypt" at the Church of the Intercession; and Broadway previews, among others.

Live performances from Philippine Educational Theater Association's WILLIAM, CARE DIVAS, Tanghalang Pilipino's NOLI ME TANGERE, and Repertory Philippines' PETER PAN beefed up the 2011 Philstage Gawad Buhay!, line produced by theater advocates Audie Gemora and Alvin Trono's Stages Production Specialists Inc., at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' main lobby on Sunday.

Tony nominee Josh Young (Judas Iscariot), who brought the closing audience of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (JCS) to its feet, seconds after his strong 11 o'clock number, "Jesus Christ Superstar," yesterday afternoon at Neil Simon Theatre, signed everyone's playbill at the stage door, and showed off to the crowd his pooch, Keppy, who was wearing a replica of Young's character's royal blue sequined top, designed by Paul Tazewell ("In the Heights," "The Color Purple") for the show.

Spider-Man swung by to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday, which was part of New York's homegrown superhero's itinerary for "The Amazing Spider-Man Week NYC" to promote Sony Pictures Entertainment's Tuesday, July 3 release of "The Amazing Spider-Man," starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, and Sally Field, among others.

Spider-Man swung by to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday, which was part of New York's homegrown superhero's itinerary for "The Amazing Spider-Man Week NYC" to promote Sony Pictures Entertainment's Tuesday, July 3 release of "The Amazing Spider-Man," starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Martin Sheen, and Sally Field, among others.

MCA Music Inc., a Universal Music Group member company, will exclusively release Filipino-Mexican-American pop singer Jessica Sanchez's five-track album, "AMERICAN IDOL Season 11 Highlights," which features some of her performances from last season's reality television talent show.

Gracing the Manila concert scene anew with his impressive musicianship and palpable charisma, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti held a one-night only concert at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila - presented by RadioHigh 105.9 FM - last week.

Filipino-American performing artist Stephanie Reese wears many hats: for the theater enthusiast, she is Esmeralda in the world premiere production of Disney's HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME or the "German" Kim in the German production of MISS SAIGON; for the concertgoer, she is the "Standing Ovation Queen," who never fails to bring her audiences to their feet, and who once shared the stage with Grammy winners Patti Labelle and Natalie Cole; and for the social worker - for nonprofit organizations such as Gawad Kalinga, Make A Wish Foundation, or World Vision - she is a young lady who has a compassionate heart for children who are in dire need of help.

Gracing the Manila concert scene anew with his impressive musicianship and palpable charisma, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti held a one-night only concert at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila - presented by RadioHigh 105.9 FM - on Tuesday.

Broadway actor MiG Ayesa and recording artists Vina Morales and Nyoy Volante are hyped up for their second week of performances in Atlantis Productions' Asian premiere of Chris D' Arienzo's smash Broadway musical ROCK OF AGES, playing to sold-out audiences at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City until Sunday, July 8.

While the movie adaptation of Chris D'Arienzo's smash Broadway musical ROCK OF AGES is tanking at the box office, Atlantis Productions' local staging, which stars MiG Ayesa as Stacee Jaxx (a role he also played on Broadway) and Vina Morales as Sherrie (her professional theater debut), sells out!

Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti arrives in Manila for a concert at Newport Performing Arts Theatre, Resorts World Manila tomorrow, June 19 at 8 p.m.