Rent: A Story of Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness

As I always say, La Vie Boheme because 9 Works Theatrical brings back Rent the Musical is back in Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza Makati City from February 12 to March 6. The masterpiece of Jonathan Larson is directed by Robbie Gueverra and features perfomers like Gian Magdangal (Roger Davis), Fredison Lo (Mark Cohen), Sheree and Ciara Sotto (Mimi Marquez – alternates), Job Bautista (Angel Dummott Schunard), OJ Mariano (Tom Collins), Carla Guevara-Laforteza and Mian Dimacali (Maureen Johnson – alternates), JennyVillegas (Joanne Jefferson) and Lorenz Martinez (Benjamin ”Benny” Coffin III).

”How do you document real life, when real life is getting more like fiction each day”, this is how Mark Cohen, a frustrated filmmaker sees the lives of everyone in New York's Lower East Side. Mark wanted to create a film showing the lives of his friends but intead of having ”just” a film he see a bigger perspective about life, love, forgiveness and acceptance where the most important thing in life is not yesterday or tomorrow but making today a very special day every second, minute and hour. The musical play of Jonathan Larson opens the mind of its viewers about loving and accepting people beyond sickness, sexual preference, belief and social status. It putting love beyond boundaries as shown in the song Seasons of Love and in the character of Angel, a a gay drag queen infected with AIDS. Despite of him being different in the society, Angel managed to stand up and touched the loves of Mark, Mimi, Maureen, Joan, Roger, Benny and Tom. Indeed, Rent the Musical is a celebration of life and its importance of reaching out to others.

(Angel and Tom singing I'll Cover You)

Rent also gives the chance to women to show her belief and stand, this is why that the part of Jump Over the Moon is one of things that everyone should not miss. The play gives the actress who plays the role of Maureen Johnson the freedom to deliver the song the way that she wanted. As for Carla and Mian, which I saw their performance separately they did a wonderful and fun way of presenting that part. Both of the presented that part in a very unique way.

For actors and actresses like OJ, Sheree, Pam, Job, Gian, Jenny and Alys, there performance was so amazing. OJ from the 2010 presentation until now still have that goosebump feeling when he sings the I’ll Cover Your Reprise. Job unlike what others said in my opinion he improves in the 2011 presentation of Rent. Putting together Sheree, Jenny, Pam and Alys, all I can say they are the women with big and wonderful voices.

I have to admit, Rent is one of the plays that its worth watching and a musical that has so many emotions and learnings in it. Within the span of 1 year, I saw it four times; first in February 2010, second was in Rockwell Powerplant last December and the third and fourth was during the two special preview before if officially opens on Feb 12. Even it has the same storyline, songs and characters it is very refeshing and there’s no boring moment in the play, each scenes are puzzles to create a beautiful and brilliant story that Jonathan Larson communicate to his audience and that is love and acceptance. Sadly he never saw it how it open and how it touches the lives of everyone.
Rent the Musical also includes Peachy Atilano, HaroldCruz, Johann dela Fuente, Pam Imperial, Gary Junsay, Anna Santamaria, Alys Serdenia, Mark Tayag and Al Gatmaitan for the ensembles. Gatmaitan will also play the role of Roger in certain performances. It is directed by Robbie Guevara, with Jojo Malferrari as musical director – band; Onyl Torres as musical director– vocals; Choreography by Charles Stephen Thompson with additionalchoreography by Francis Matheu and Mara Andres of Polecats; Mio Infanteas scenographer; Martin Esteva as Lighting Designer; Chuck Ledesma assound designer; and Bek Soriano as costume stylist.

The show will run on February 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, March 4, 5 and 6. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:00PM. Saturdays at 3:30PM & Sundays at 4:30PM. Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. For tickets and reservations call 9 Works Theatrical at 557-5860, 586-7105, or 0917-5545560, or visit www.9workstheatrical.com, or call TicketWorld at 891.9999.

Like this post? Subscribe on my blog by clicking HERE!
Become a Facebook Fan to get more updates from In My Opinion!
You can follow me on Twitter.com/FlowGalindez

Subscribe to my RSS Feed via email! Enter your email address below:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Rockwell Powerplant celebrates 10th Anniversary with Rent the Musical

 In line with the celebration of its 10th Anniversary, Rockwell Powerplant will stage 9 Works Theatrical Presentation of Jonathan Larson’s Rent the Musical. Rent will only run for a limited time only at the Rockwell Powerplant Cinema 2 on December 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (8PM) and December 10, 11 & 12 (4PM).

In line with the return of Rent the Musical, 9 Works Theatrical named the actors and actresses who will replaced Ring Antonio, Raul Monteza, Noel Rayos, Cara Barredo, Nicole Asensio, Anna Santamaria and Carla Guevara who were part of 9 Work’s presentation in the first quarter of 2010. Carla and others has prior commitments and could not join the December production of Rent. New performers include: Sheree Vidal Bautista and Ampy Sietereales for Mimi Marquez, Mian Dimacali as Maureen Johnson and Lorenz Martinez as Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III. Actors from the early 2010 production who will reprised their roles include; Fredison Lo (Mark Cohen, Gian Madrigal (Roger Davis), OJ Mariano (Tom Collins), Job Bautista (Angel Dumott Schunard), Jenny Villegas (Joanne Jefferson), and Gary Junsay, Harold Cruz, Johann Dela Fuente, Mark Tayag and Peachy Atilano as part of the ensemble.

Rent the Musical is a celebration of love, friendship and acceptance created by Jonathan Larson. Unfortunately, Larson died and hasn’t seen his creation which is now one of the most awarded and most loved Broadway show in the world. Rent gives popularity to the song “Seasons of Love”, where the song implies the importance of loving those who important to us because we don’t know when the time will come. Rent reminds its viewers the importance of loving and acceptance, Jonathan gives voices to the people with AIDS like Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel who wanted to enjoy life and find comport in the hands of those who love them. He also shows the side of the 3rd sex, how they can be happy and contended with their life like Maureen, Joanne and Angel. Above all, Rent the Musical is a celebration of Angel Dumott Schunard, the HIV Positive drag queen who teaches each one to love, accepts and lives (each character) to the fullest.

Honestly speaking, I am a fan of Rent the Musical. I don’t mind listening to the sound track all over again. The musical is one of those I know that everyone can easily convey with the plot and the characters. I am glad that even in a limited time Rockwell Powerplant will be presenting Rent the Musical with 9 Works Theatrical December 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (8PM) and December 10, 11 & 12 (4PM). For tickets, call 898-1440 or 898 1441 or visit http://www.9workstheatrical.com for more details

9 Works Theatrical will stage Rent the Musical again at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in the RCBC Plaza, Makati City on February 12 to March 16, 2011.


Like this post? Subscribe on my blog by clicking HERE!
Become a Facebook Fan to get more updates from In My Opinion!
You can follow me on Twitter.com/FlowGalindez

Subscribe to my RSS Feed via email! Enter your email address below:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Because reason says you should watch Rent

9 Works Theatrical Production produces Jonathan Larson's Rent perfectly, something refreshing for the fans of the rock musical and new for the first timers of the play. Starting on Feb February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 (Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 3:30PM and 8:00PM & Sundays at 4:30PM and 8:00PM) at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Building, Makati City. For tickets and reservation please call TicketWorld at 891.9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

For a Rent fan like me seeing the 9 Works Theatrical Productions version really gives me the impression that they really works hard to make the show more beautiful so that it will not be a "replay" of other prod performance of Rent. The way they add scenes and arranges the songs made the play flows smoothly and less complicated. I love the way they add more conversational scenes and songs it deepens the storyline.
Thanks to Carla Guevarra-Laforteza, I fell in love with Maureen; she owns the character especially during the part of Fly over the Moon and Take Me or Leave Me. She proves that the character truly fits her. OJ Mariano expands Tom's character and he shines more as theater performer during the reprise part, you can feel the pain and emotions of losing Angel played by Job Bautista. Call me bias but ever since I am in love with Angel’s character, and if you ask me Job impresses me with his performance on Today 4 U and I'll cover you. Honestly OJ and Job have chemistry on stage. Rent is the only musical play that gives its all members part of the presentation where they can shine and owns their song. Mark Tayag, Johann Dela Fuente, Peachy Atilano and Anna Santamaria wow the audience, same thing they did to me. Gian, Nicole and Fredison, proves that they have potentials on doing lead roles on theater I hope I'll be seeing them soon on 9 Works future projects.

During the post event interview, Carla confesses that she is pressured doing the Maureen role where there are already for Filipina performers did it and Monique Wilson is one of them. As for who are new in the theatrical production, Job; OJ, Nicole, Mark; Peachy, Jenny and Anna says it’s a dream come true to be part of the Rent Musical.

Summary

Rent is a rock musical play that takes place on Christmas Eve in an apartment rented by Mark, a independent film maker and Roger, a song writer and an HIV positive. Benny, their former roommate calls and asking for their rent dues despite of the promise he did that he will waive the rental fee on the apartment his former roommates is renting. Benny barters to Mark that he will continue making the rental fee free if he stops Maureen doing her protest. Mark refuses to stop her former girlfriend's event that is now having a relationship with her lesbian lawyer named Joanne. Angel, a drag queen and an AIDS patient sees Collin lying on the street after he was beaten by street dwellers who took his jacket. Angel helps Collin and automatically with Angel's charms Collin fell in love with him and brought him to Mark's apartment. Angel share's his story to Mark and Roger where he kills Evita, Benny's dog where he earns money for doing that. Angel and Collin confess their feelings for each other, while Roger meets Mimi who is an exotic dancer who is a drug addict and an HIV Positive. With Roger's mysterious attitude challenges at the same time makes him attracted to Mimi. Like other lovers who passes on misunderstanding and argument, Roger and Mimi, and Joanne and Maureen faces rocky stages on their relationship, than ends on separation. Angel dies after her long battle against AIDS, with this it reunites Roger, Mimi, Maureen, Joanne and Benny who still have something against to each other. Collin begs for consideration as he mourns to the death of his lover. One year after the death of Angel, Joanne and Maureen brought the feverish Mimi to Marks apartment where Rogers ask forgiveness to her. Mimi survives her illness and explains that she say Angel asking her to go back. Mark finishes his documentary film as people in the Alphabet city finally reunites and settled down as Benny joins them for another Christmas celebration like the old days.

Characters

• Fredison Lo as Mark Cohen, an independent filmmaker and Roger's roommate
• Gian Madrigal as Roger Davis, a songwriter who is HIV positive
• OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, a gay philosophy professor and anarchist with AIDS
• Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist
• Noel Rayos as Benjamin 'Benny' Coffin III, the local landlord and a former room mate of Roger, Mark, Collins, and Maureen
• Job Bautista as Angel Dumott Schunard, a gay drag queen percussionist with AIDS
• Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson, a lawyer, who is Maureen's partner
• Cara Barredo and Nicole Laurel Asensio, both will be doing Mimi Marquez an exotic dancer who has AIDS

Ensemble members include Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano, Johann Dela Fuente, Harold Cruz, Gary Junsay, Raul Montesa, Anna Santamaria and Mark Tayag


La Vie Boheme!


Rent, the rock musical with music and lyrics of Jonathan Larson, is based from the novel of Giacomo Puccini's opera “La Bohème.” The play won prestigious awards like 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Tony Awards (1996), New York Drama Critics Circle Award (1996), Drama Desk Awards (1996), Theatre World Awards (1996)and Obie Awards (1996). 9 Works Theatrical presents Rent production group is composed of Executive Producer Santi Santamaria, Director Robbie Guevara, Production Manager Weng Lopez, Musical Director Ceejay Javier, Vocal Coach Onyl Torres, Vocal Consultant Lionel Guico, Scenographer Mio Infante, Lighting Designer Martin Esteva, Sound Designer Rards Corpuz, PR / Publicity Director Toots O. Tolentino, PR Manager Jonjon Martin, Cast Photography by Jojit Lorenzo, Production Photography by Sandee Guevara, Marketing Manager Shelyn Tayanes, and Stage Manager Jojo Amboy.

For tickets and reservations please call TicketWorld at 891.9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

9 Works Theatrical stages Rent the rock musical on February 5

La Vie Boheme! The multi-awarded Jonathan Larson’s “Rent” will be staged on February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 (Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 3:30PM and 8:00PM & Sundays at 4:30PM and 8:00PM) at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Building, Makati City. It’s made possible by 9 Works Theatrical Production the same group that brings Songs from a New World last May here in the Philippines. Last January 18, during the press conference of Rent at the Palm Restaurant at the Rockwell Club, one floor above the rehearsal area of the group, Joselito Tolentino, and Robbie Guevarra with the new cast of Rent for the Philippine version share's their views and excitement from the audition, rehearsal and actual performance on February.

Rent Manila director Robbie Guevarra said that he didn’t like the musical before because he finds it noisy and loud, compared from the usual musical play he joined like the Miss Saigon Philippines 10 years ago in the Cultural Center of Philippines. He tried listening to the CD of Rent but he end up pausing or changing the CD during the first act. Accidentally he discovered the song “Seasons of Love” on the second CD that made the play famous. The song “Seasons of Love” makes Guevarra fell in love with the musical. The 9 Works Theatrical production will be working on detailed set and small changes with the songs and the choreography to make it more up to date to the new breed of theater fanatics.

From 302 auditions and 72 call backs, here’s the list of the final cast of Rent who will be performing this February;

• Fredison Lo as Mark Cohen, an independent filmmaker and Roger's roommate
• Gian Madrigal as Roger Davis, a songwriter who is HIV positive
• OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, a gay philosophy professor and anarchist with AIDS
• Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist
• Noel Rayos as Benjamin 'Benny' Coffin III, the local landlord and a former room mate of Roger, Mark, Collins, and Maureen
• Job Bautista as Angel Dumott Schunard, a gay drag queen percussionist with AIDS
• Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson, a lawyer, who is Maureen's partner
• Cara Barredo and Nicole Laurel Asensio, both will be doing Mimi Marquez an exotic dancer who has AIDS

Ensemble members include Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano, Johann Dela Fuente, Harold Cruz, Gary Junsay, Raul Montesa, Anna Santamaria and Mark Tayag.

Here’s an example of their performance:



Rent, the rock musical with music and lyrics of Jonathan Larson, is based from the novel of Giacomo Puccini's opera “La Bohème.” The play won prestigious awards like 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Tony Awards (1996), New York Drama Critics Circle Award (1996), Drama Desk Awards (1996), Theatre World Awards (1996)and Obie Awards (1996). 9 Works Theatrical presents Rent production group is composed of Executive Producer Santi Santamaria, Director Robbie Guevara, Production Manager Weng Lopez, Musical Director Ceejay Javier, Vocal Coach Onyl Torres, Vocal Consultant Lionel Guico, Scenographer Mio Infante, Lighting Designer Martin Esteva, Sound Designer Rards Corpuz, PR / Publicity Director Toots O. Tolentino, PR Manager Jonjon Martin, Cast Photography by Jojit Lorenzo, Production Photography by Sandee Guevara, Marketing Manager Shelyn Tayanes, and Stage Manager Jojo Amboy.

RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) 421 West 54th Street, New York, New York 10019 Telephone No.: +1(212) 541-4684 www.mtishows.com. For tickets and reservation please call 9 Works Theatrical at 57.58.60 or visit www.9workstheatrical.com or call TicketWorld at 891.9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Related blog entry

• La Vie Bohème Rent is here

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

La Vie Bohème Rent is here

Seasons of Love finally arrives at the heart of Manila, as 9 Works Theatrical brings Rent The Musical to the Philippines with our very own local artists and production group. Rent is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson play based from Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème, some part of the story we're updated including the characters, Rent won Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Musical. The story is set at New York City's gritty East Village during the height of liberalism where every one struggle in order to live and united by the death of a friend.

I am a fan of Rent since I saw the Broadway performance thank God for Youtube and Limewire and the movie version produced by Chris Columbus and Robert De Niro and distributed by Columbia Pictures last 2005. I fell in love with some characters and their part in the story; Mimi, am exotic dancer and an HIV positive at the 14th street that fell in love with Roger a songwriter who is an HIV positive too. Marc, an independent film director who dreams to be create his own movie and ends up creating a flick where himself became the artist of his film with his friends. Maureen is a bisexual performing artist who has a conflict with his former roommate Benny, and currently in a relationship with Joanne, Maureen’s lawyer. And every one's favorite Angel, a drag queen percussionist who has AIDS and struggle to survive in order to live and found love with Tom, a gay philosophy professor and anarchist who is also has AIDS.

Here is the complete list of characters of Rent:

• Mimi Márquez, an exotic dancer with HIV
• Roger Davis, a songwriter who is HIV positive
• Mark Cohen, an independent filmmaker and Roger's roommate
• Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist
• Angel Dumott Schunard, a gay drag queen percussionist with AIDS
• Tom Collins, a gay philosophy professor and anarchist with AIDS
• Joanne Jefferson, a lawyer, who is Maureen's partner.
• Benjamin 'Benny' Coffin III, the local landlord and a former roommate of Roger, Mark, Collins, and Maureen

I am excited to see how Philippine version perform with my five favorite songs from the play: Light up my Candle, Today for U, No day but today, I'll Cover You and One Song Glory, of course everyone loves La Vie Bohème and Seasons of Love it will be everyone's last song syndrome once they saw the play. And last December 15, 9 Works Theatrical gives their media friends and supporters a sneak peek of their rehearsals at the Rockwell Dance Studio 1 at the Rockwell Club in Makati City.

The cast of RENT includes Gian Magdangal as Roger Davis, a songwriter who is HIV positive; Fredison Lo as Mark Cohen, an independent filmmaker and Roger's roommate and Nicole Asensio as Mimi Márquez, an exotic dancer with HIV.

The cast also features OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, a gay philosophy professor and anarchist with AIDS; Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist; Noel Rayos as Benjamin 'Benny' Coffin III, the local landlord and a former room mate of Roger, Mark, Collins, and Maureen; Job Bautista as Angel Dumott Schunard, a gay drag queen percussionist with AIDS; Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson, a lawyer, who is Maureen's partner; and Cara Barredo, as Mimi Marquez (at certain performances).

Ensemble members include Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano, Johann Dela Fuente, Harold Cruz, Gary Junsay, Raul Montesa, Anna Santamaria and Mark Tayag.

The RENT production team is composed of Executive Producer Santi Santamaria, Director Robbie Guevara, Production Manager Weng Lopez, Musical Director Ceejay Javier, Vocal Coach Onyl Torres, Vocal Consultant Lionel Guico, Scenographer Mio Infante, Lighting Designer Martin Esteva, Sound Designer Rards Corpuz, PR / Publicity Director Toots O. Tolentino, PR Manager Jonjon Martin, Cast Photography by Jojit Lorenzo, Production Photography by Sandee Guevara, Marketing Manager Shelyn Tayanes, and Stage Manager Jojo Amboy.

RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) 421 West 54th Street, New York, New York 10019 Tel.: (212) 541-4684 • www.mtishows.com

Rent will be shown on February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 ( Fridays at 8:00PM and Saturdays at 3:30PM and 8:00PM & Sundays at 4:30PM and 8:00PM) at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati for ticket reservations call 557.58.60 or TicketWorld at 891.9999 or visit or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or www.9workstheatrical.com