Rocky Christopher Fajardo - Page 2

The main cast of the new international touring production of Broadway and West End's hit musical SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, featuring Grant Almirall (Don Lockwood), Bethany Dickson (Kathy Selden), and Steve van Wyk (Cosmo Brown), delighted the Philippine press on Thursday, May 28, at Solaire Resort and Casino's The Forum with one of the show's signature musical numbers: the hummable '50s classic 'Good Morning.'

Tony winner and "Glee" star Idina Menzel confirmed via Twitter yesterday the addition of Manila, Philippines, alongside South Korea and Japan, to the shortlist of Asian countries for her 2015 World Tour.

This New Year, two lucky BroadwayWorld.com (BWW) fans from the Philippines will have the exclusive chance to win special prizes (flown in from London's Prince Edward Theatre) as we launch our MISS SAIGON reflection story written by Rocky Christopher Fajardo found HERE.

For some people, it may take just one special song to change their lives forever. Take for instance Tony winner, Disney Legend Lea Salonga and BroadwayWorld.com (BWW) UK's 2014 Best Featured Actress Rachelle Ann Go's personal revelations on the endless impact that MISS SAIGON has had on their personal and professional lives.

Suave and swanky, smooth-talking Billy Flynn is personified--almost but not quite that seemingly devoid of heart--in Broadway veteran Jeff McCarthy ('Side Show,' Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast'), who plays CHICAGO's resident ladykiller and criminal lawyer in its strictly limited Manila run, which closes today, December 21, at The Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino.

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions CEO James Cundall, who is behind CHICAGO's limited run in Manila until this Sunday, December 21, definitely knows how to professionally gush--in the prim and proper 'English' way--over anything musical theater-related.

A day after CHICAGO the Musical's 1920s-themed opening night gala at The Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino, members of the Philippine press were treated to a sneak peek at two of the most popular musical numbers from the musical, and were given a chance to chat with the principal members of the cast and creative team in a press call that followed shortly after.

Pandemonium practically coursed through the private circles of Lani Misalucha loyalists the day a press statement officially announced the postponement of "La Nightingale Returns," the renowned singer's fourth major concert in Smart Araneta Coliseum since "Missing You" in 2007. Originally scheduled for October 17 and reset to almost two months later to December 6, the sudden date change sparked speculations of Lani backing out of the concert, which she recently dispelled on a primetime talk show as mere rumors.

'For CHICAGO, I'll be playing three instruments: ukulele, mandolin, and banjo. In fact, I got the new banjo today. The first banjo they (Concertus and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions) bought especially for me to use for CHICAGO--the one I also used for the audition video--was defective and had to be replaced, and I got the replacement today. I'm so excited! I'm happy because it's a better one!' - Lester Demetillo

There doesn't seem to be enough of 13-year-old Filipino-Canadian singer Darren Espanto to go around these days, especially since he has made headlines in what could only be described by his legions of fans as a run of charismatic, breakthrough performances on 'The Voice Kids' Philippine edition, under the tutelage of Coach Sarah Geronimo (other coaches were Tony winner Lea Salonga and rock star Bamboo Manalac).

Following Lunchbox Theatrical Productions' confirmation of CHICAGO The Musical's strictly limited run from December 3rd to the 21st in Manila--first hinted on BroadwayWorld.com (BWW) four months ago--Lunchbox CEO James Cundall reveals more mega-musical surprises for Manila audiences in a candid sit-down interview with us.

Jefferson Turner, together with cast members Benjamin Stratton and James Percy, will pick out which audience members are sporting the craziest 'Wizarding World' outfits on opening night.

In the conclusion of BroadwayWorld.com's one-one-one chat with Rachelle Ann Go, Gigi in MISS SAIGON's 25th anniversary production, Rachelle Ann reflects on how she has blossomed into her defiant bargirl role and what playing the character means to her; paints a vivid image of the fantastic frontiers that MISS SAIGON has opened up for her; and reveals the current status of her love life - and as a bonus, gives "expert"advice to the lovelorn.

After a four-year hiatus from the recording studio--busying herself in commercially successful and critically acclaimed performances and tours in the United States--Asia's Nightingale Lani Misalucha ventures boldly into her latest project as both artist and first-time executive producer in her first album under Star Records, “The Nightingale Returns,” co-executive produced by Malou Santos and Roxy Liquigan, and over-all produced by Jonathan Manalo.

Almost everyone is abuzz with the STOMP-fever inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo as the main stage slowly comes together in a thick hectic air-- urbanized and industrialized with the hip backdrop and other stage production elements of STOMP--in preparation for its second Manila staging brought to the country by Concertus Manila and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions.

One of the most memorable campaigns that STOMP ever got involved in was STOMP OUT LITTER, which began in San Francisco and eventually moved to New York, and having further varied incarnations in countries all over the world such as Germany and Scotland, to name a few.

With a novel theatrical spectacle like STOMP--sans dialogue and conventional lyrics-- the parameters set by orthodox stage direction take a backseat to the unique, personal touch that each new performer brings into any STOMP production wherever in the world it may be staged.

"Whenever we can, we support any outreach programs," STOMP Co-Creator Luke Cresswell shares on STOMP's long and steady involvement in environmental causes geared toward recycling, re-using, and clean-up drives all over the world.

STOMP Co-Creator Luke Cresswell and Rehearsal Director Fraser Morrison laugh peevishly together like schoolboys having fun on a playground as they recall the wildest experiments they have ever concocted throughout the creative journeys they had to take in finding instruments for the show and developing and polishing the technical know-how on how to use them without hurting themselves and the STOMPERS.

'The nice thing about STOMP is that there are so many different inspirations, and everyone brings all those different inspirations into the show,' shares Fraser Morrison, STOMP rehearsal director.