Photo Flash: Repertory Philippines Presents LITTLE WOMEN

Whether you're seeing a Broadway musical production for the first time or the nth time, we're always confident that Repertory Philippines delivers the most aesthetically and technically polished imported shows in Manila. Recent productions of  "Fiddler on the Roof," "Sweeney Todd," and "Equus" were so masterfully crafted. These local productions can shine alongside plays and musicals on Broadway and the West End.

Rounding out 2010's bumper crop of live theater productions, we can now add the short-lived Broadway musical "Little Women" to Repertory Philippines's roster of outstandingly produced shows.

Featuring music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, this musical adaptation of American writer Louisa May Alcott's 1896 semi-autobiographical classic novel "Little Women" has managed to triumph onstage with the first-time director for Repertory Philippines Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo's complete confidence on her cast of performers (most of these actors are first timers on Repertory Philippines's stage, and Caisa Borromeo as Jo March is essaying her first principal leading role on stage).  The production also features New York City-based scenographer Joey Mendoza and Manila-based top lighting designer John Batalla's stunning visual scenic projections and lighting effects; Tuxqs Rutaquio's elaborately detailed period costumes; and renowned conductor Gerard Salonga and FILharmoniKA's resplendent orchestral music.

BroadwayWorld.com (Philippines) saw "Little Women's" first Sunday matinee performance on November 21, 2010, wherein women advocacy group Girls Scouts of the Philippines presented the holiday family drama. Ms. Borromeo and Repertory Philippines's more veteran thespians Pinky Marquez (Marmee), Cara Barredo (Beth), Joy Virata (Aunt March), and Miguel Faustmann (Mr. Laurence) gave the most memorable performances that day.

Seeing Ms. Borromeo breezing through the very demanding role of the second oldest March sister, Jo (originally played on Broadway by the very talented Sutton Foster), was truly amazing. Her build-up to the show's best moment and most popular show tune, "Astonishing," at the end of Act One was sans amateurish "birit" and over-theatrical hysterics, thank goodness -- every lyric and bit of emotion indeed came from the heart!

Ms. Borromeo's duet with Ms. Barredo's dying Beth, "Some Things are Meant to Be," in the middle of Act Two, was the second-best heart-tugging segment in the production.

The rest of the actors, Kelly Lati (Amy), Lora Nicolas (Meg), Jeff Arcilla (Professor Bhaer), Jack Salud (John Brooke), and Mayen Bustamante-Cadd (Mrs. Kirk), provided strong supporting performances. Unfortunately, when we saw the production, Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS) alumnus Jamie Barcelon's (Laurie) high notes were all over the place. However, we're relieved to hear that Mr. Barcelon has been improving, according to some theatergoers who went to see the show over the weekend.

"Little Women," a 2005 Tony and Drama Desk Award-nominated musical, tells the inspiring story of the March sisters -- Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy while growing up during the American Civil War.

Repertory Philippines's "Little Women" production runs through Sunday, December 12, 2010, with 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. performances at Onstage, 2/F Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati City. For tickets, call Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Photos by Boboy Ramiro

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