Rajo's Blog | StyleBible.ph » theater

When I was 6!

rajo — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:26:41 +0000

I have to apologize for not blogging for a few days! I had what I call “Tamaditis” or a lazy spell. It does not happen to me often but when it does, it takes its toll and I just end up feeling blah and wishing I could just stay in bed the whole day. Unfortunately for me, I can’t afford to do that. I have a lot of things on my plate and a day of “tamaditis” equates to more work in the end, so I really must shake it off immediately and soldier on.

I just have to share this piece of good fortune with all of you. You see, I love the Theater. If I was not a fashion designer I would probably be a stage actor! My very first theater production was “The King and I“! I was 6 at that time and I really really loved it! I loved the music, I loved the costumes and I just loved the energy. To this very day, I would day dream about those days. Many of the people I have met during that moment of my life have become not only my dear friends but have become people of real recognition. If you take a look at the photo, you might be able to recognize some really famous people.

: This was the lovely note that came with the photo! Don’t you love handwritten notes? It just feels so personal.

That's me in the red circle. If you look closely, you will see my friend Lea Salonga in the photo, as well as Raymond Lauchengco, the Wea twins, Teddy Dichupa and many super talented children. That was a really special time!

It was my good fortune that today Mrs. Tessie Lauchengco, mother of Menchu Lauchengo-Yulo and Raymond Lauchengco, sent me a photo of the production of The King and I! Memories started to flood my mind and I had a giant smile planted on my face! I could literally hear the music in my head and see Tita Baby Barredo’s huge ball skirt moving side to side. I could also feel my lazy spell drifting away! LOL! I guess I just needed a small push to get out of my rut! I knew I wanted to be in fashion at that age. I fell in love not only with the theater but also with the fabulous costumes.

Thank you Tita Tessie for the photo! I will treasure this forever!

HUGS!

RAJO!

Sweeney Todd

rajo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:24:33 +0000

You all must know that I love the theater. I practically grew up in the theater! My mother would always take us to watch and at the tender age of 6, I performed in The King and I! LOL!

I just have to tell you that I just saw Repertory Philippines‘ Sweeney Todd and it was FANTASTIC! I must really congratulate REPERTORY PHILIPPINES! MABUHAY KAYO!!!!!

You all really must see how amazingly talented this cast is! Everything about the production was flawless! Sweeney Todd is my favorite musical! The songs are just so moving and hauntingly beautiful! I cannot stop raving about this play!

The costumes created by Gino Gonzales are genius! The direction of Tita Baby Barredo and Michael Williams was stunning! The acting of Auddie and Menchu brought tingles down my spine! A big plus is watching my super talented cousin Franco Laurel in his element, as he sings so beautifully! AY NAKU!!!!

Just come and see the play because this will really make you fall in love with theater. I dare say that this production was at par, if it did not surpass, the plays that I recently saw in New York!

The play opened last Nov 14 and it will run till Dec 13. Please visit www.repertory-philippines.com for more information! I am so excited to watch it again!
HUGS!
RAJO!

PS: The actor who plays Toby is so talented he kills me! The way he sang the song “Not While I’m Around” brought me to tears! That scene was worth the price of admission! I would pay 3 times as much to watch this amazing production!

Spring Awakening!

rajo — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:56:17 +0000

When I first heard that Atlantis Productions was bringing the musical Spring Awakening to the Philippines, I really flipped out with GLEE! LOL! I grew up on musical theater! It’s in my blood, as they say! Spring Awakening is one of my favorite musicals of ALL TIME! OMG! Each time I hear the music written by DUNCAN SHEIK, I shed a tear, because it is really so beautiful!

I was invited to a preview of the play yesterday and I was moved to tears!

The play is written by STEVEN SATER and it has won the TONY awards for best musical (not sure if it’s 2006 or 2007). I approached the director Chari Arespacochaga to ask if she wanted me to do the costumes and happily she said yes. I have done costumes for theater before, like that of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Dream Girls, among others. It’s my way of still being in touch with my theater roots. It’s always such a great learning experience when you’re doing costume design.

The beautiful Cheri Gil and the founder of Atlantis Productions Bobby Garcia!

My gorgeous friend...Teresa Herrera was also present!

Theater lovers all! TJ, Cheri, JM & Teresa!

Nix and Leica were there with Fab lensman Raymund Isaac.

My youngest cousin Yanna Laurel is in the play and I was so excited to see her perform. Here with me are my first cousins Rally & Sandra Laurel. Looking at the photo now it seems we have the same eyes and smiles! LOL!

The leads of the play Joaqui and Kelly!

My friends Cheska and Jett are also in the cast! I am excited to see Cheska on stage as I have never seen her on stage before.

The bossa nova queen Sitti is in the cast!

THE BOYS OF THE SHOW!

This is a glimpse of what you will see in the play! I suggest you call Atlantis now as the tickets are selling really fast!

The play is opening tonight at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium RCBC plaza, Makati. It will be running until OCT 18. For more information, please log on to www.atlantisproductionsinc.com. Do yourself a huge favor and watch this musical! IT’S A MUST!

HUGS!
RAJO!

Fosse – Single Ladies!

rajo — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 04:21:45 +0000

The very first time I saw the video of Beyonce‘s “Single Ladies,” I was fixated! I must have watched it on loop for a hundred times! I loved everything about it; the simplicity of the movements, the play on lighting, the song was just fun and I loved it! Even today, I still like hearing it and watching the video.

Imagine my big surprise when I found this video on YouTube. It was choreographed by Bob Fosse! By the looks of the girls’ costumes, it was probably done in the early ’70s! I was really surprised by how current and timeless the movements were. I am a huge fan of Mr. Fosse. I am a theater baby and grew up with his style of dance. I am so amazed at how his influence. Take a look at the video and you can see how Ms. Beyonce was inspired!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRm4evmgz4I[/youtube]

HUGS!
RAJO!

Spelling Bee!

rajo — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:35:05 +0000

I am probably the worst speller in the entire world! It has always been a problem for me. Each time I watch spelling bees, I find myself in a state of panic. My palms become clammy and I break into a cold sweat! Imagine all this tension transformed into a musical! LOL! I saw this musical around 3 years ago and it was FANTASTIC! I am so happy that the play now will be showing in Manila.

The play is brought to us by Atlantis Productions and directed by one of the most talented young men I know – Bobby Garcia! I also have extra news: I will be a guest in the show! HORRORS! I think my date is on April 3. YIKES! I am already shaking in my boots! I encourage all of you to come and watch the musical. It will be really worth it!

HUGS!
RAJO!

LET THE SPELLING BEGIN!

The competition is intense. The words are hilarious. Let the spelling begin! The Tony Award winning Musical THE 25^TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE opens March 20^th and runs until April 4^th at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

SPELLING BEE centers around a fictional spelling bee in Putnam County, New York. Six kids in the throes of puberty face off in the battle of their lives. They compete against each other as well as members of the audience. Three adults help adjudicate the proceedings: a nostalgic former spelling bee winner, a mildly insane Vice Principal and The Official Comfort Counselor completing his community service to the state of New York. SPELLING BEE has a Tony Award winning book by Rachel Sheinkin and Music and Lyrics by Tony Award winner William Finn.

No two SPELLING BEE shows will be alike, as SPELLING BEE will feature “starring roles” each night for two volunteer audience members and two surprise celebrity guest spellers.

Atlantis Productions gathers a stellar cast of theatre veterans Cathy Azanza-Dy, Pheona Baranda, Johann Dela Fuente, Rycharde Everley, Carla Guevarra-Laforteza, Noel Rayos, Felix Rivera, Thea Tadiar and Joel Trinidad, who have all worked with Atlantis in the past.

SPELLING BEE is directed by Bobby Garcia, Choreography by Chari Arespacochaga, Set Design by Tuxqs Rutaquio, Lighting Design by Johnsy Reyes, Costume Design by Twinkle Zamora, Vocal Coaching by ManMan Angsico and Musical Direction by Jojo Malferari.

For tickets call 892-7078 or 840-1187.

I-LAND Opening Night!

rajo — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:17:29 +0000

It was the opening night of I-LAND at the CCP last night. For those of you wanting a taste of HawaiIan culture, this is the show to see! I found myself gyrating my hips and doing the hula after the show.

The show is all about the life of Keo Woolford. He is the star of this one man show. It showcases his journey from a troubled past, all the way to HULA enlightenment.

I was so happy that my friends came to see opening night! We all had a fantastic time! A big bonus is the fact that we had the chance to see more of the art that decorated the lobby of the little theater at the CCP. We all were in love with the space and we all kept on imagining different events that could take place there. I, for one, would want to have a fun party with a great DJ! LOL!

I am in love with this mural! I think it is by Arturo Luz? It's so graphically beautiful!

The most fashionable TRIO that evening! Junie, Nix and Robby!

Kitty, Angellette and Malu strike a pose!

Malu, Anton and Mela grace the evening!

Leah Puyat flanks the Tarp!

BFF'S! Leah and Junie

The best PR man in town, Keren, with Robby.

The gang's all here!

One of my personal icons, Gilda! I love her aura!

All the way from NYC! Trystan being sandwiched by his gorgeous cousins Vicky and Liz! Thank you for coming!

Keo with the lovely ladies! Ms. Tantoco, Mrs. Luz and Ms. Lopez!

Keo rocking the ladies! WOO HOO!

I encourage all of you to see the show. It’s something different and it opens your mind to a culture that seems so similar, but is really quite different. The show will be ongoing till this Sunday, January 25. The proceeds of the show will be benefiting the scholarship program of the Asian Cultural Council. Do call the CCP and catch I-LAND!

See you soon!
HUGS!
RAJO!

High from Hairspray!

rajo — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:30:01 +0000

A few days ago I was fortunate enough to be invited by Bobby Garcia to watch the press preview for “Hairspray!” I love this musical as I have seen all its incarnations, from the original movie, then the
musical on Broadway and then another movie based on the musical.

Bobby Garcia and co-director Chari Aripacochaga

I met The director Bobby Garcia 10 years ago! He was thinking of doing “Rent” in Manila and I have been a huge fan of his work since then. I try not to miss any of the shows from Atlantis Productions because it
is really world-class. I even had the chance to work with him on several musicals like the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Dreamgirls” ( I did not the costumes).

I forgot the young lady who plays Tracy..however she was amazing!

Gino Gonzales...strikes a pose. Check out his shirt coordinating with his watch!

I loved the set and the costumes of this production as it is done by my friend Gino Gonzales another genius in the theater industry. You may not know this but I am really a theater baby and this was my first love. I want all of you to see it as the show is really fantastic. Check out Dulce as she portrays one the most unique characters on stage!

Other theater lovers were there too! Boy Abunda and the lovely KC Concepcion!

Boy with Tessa and Boy's partner of 25 years Bong! (WOW!!!)

The colorful set and costumes provide visual delight!

After watching the musical I am now very interested in these camper shoes designed by the famous spanish industrial designer Jaime Hayon. I am loving the baby pink! I want one for Christmas!

HUGS!
RAJO!