Fun Home Manila was Beautiful. No, Handsome.

Your swagger and your bearing

and the just right clothes you’re wearing

Your short hair and your dungarees

And your lace up boots.

And your keys oh

Your ring of keys.

I know you

I know you

I know you

– Ring of Keys, Fun Home

Much like little Alison’s familiarity to the curious  woman who walked into the diner, Fun Home Manila evokes the feeling of a bizarre recollection of early-year memories. Of course, not everyone can directly relate to circumstances that befall the Bechdel family. But for some reason, we recognize it. Through personal experiences, perhaps a friend or an odd memory.

Adapted from Alison Bechdel’s memoir/graphic novel of the same name ( I just ordered a copy from Power Books. 8 weeks can’t come any sooner!), music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, Fun Home is that one-in-a-million  story that comes around all so rarely but most of us have heard of and appreciated.

I needed a drink but settled for a cookie after the show

Without giving so much away, Fun Home is about Alison’s attempt to illustrate her collection of memories during three pivotal stages of her life. These memories are beautifully played out throughout the entire course of the musical and lends a wide array of colors to the story’s canvas. The present day, 43-year old Alison, played by the supernova that is Cris Villonco, tries to piece together hazy visions of her childhood with the help of a naive child (Katie Bradshaw) and a confused college student (Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante). Versions of herself that she once fondly was.

It would have been a typical trip down memory lane had it not been given that Alison was a lesbian, her father had a serious penchant for antiques, compulsive cleaning and a callow attraction to underaged men. This while the entire family strives to juggle between maintaining a Pennsylvanian funeral home and an already tumultuous household. Then, things begin to get really interesting.

Villonco was clearly on a mission that night. She was out to give the most sincere portrayal of Alison one can ever ask for. And that she did. She was, with no any other word to describe her, brilliant. She was just pure brilliance! I have never seen her perform onstage before and man did she blow my theatre socks off! She started  with a hesitant and defensive Alison and built her character slowly up to an emotional crescendo that you can’t help but feel for her. I started welling up when I heard her voice breaking during her performance of “Telephone Wire”, clearly overwhelmed by emotions of her own. That night was hers and boy did she take it!

Cris Villonco was exceptional as Alison Bechdel

Clearly,  the most challenging role was played by Eric Kunze who tackled it with a precision and truthfulness only a theatrical genius can perform. Remember when I said that this musical will, one way or another, resonate with you? He did. Eric Kunze playing Bruce Bechdel reminded me of my own father. No, my dad’s no homo but like Bruce, he was smart, funny to a fault and warm. But underneath all of these, he was always evasive and frustratingly closed off. That night, I was watching a mirage of my father. And that didn’t sit well with my tear ducts.

My childhood hero, the ever-illustrious Lea Salonga gave the minor role she was playing the kind of attention a master technician like her would provide. She takes the 11 0’clock number – (Days and Days) and runs away with it leaving you surfacing up and gasping for air. Her vocal chops, of course, was undeniable but the restraint, strength and the vulnerability she lends to Helen Bechdel’s character requires not only mastery of skill but blood of liquid steel. She is, and will always be my theatre hero and seeing her in Fun Home Manila is just the cherry on top of my theatrical year.

The tandem of Katie Bradshaw and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as the young versions of Alison was the perfect method to investigate the machinations of Alison’s mind. Katie played the naivety of a young Alison trying to make sense of her early childhood questions and realizations (Ring of Keys) with so much bravado. She is ahead of her years and if this a small glimpse of what the future of theatre in the Philippines then there is absolutely nothing to be worried about. Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante on the other hand perfectly provided the humor to the musical at times when it needed it the most. She has one of the best comedic timings I’ve seen in a long time. Her take on a college Alison was at its realest form – identifiable and at times, borderline embarrassing. You really couldn’t ask for any better actors to breathe life to these characters.

Katie Bradshaw and Eric Kunze

Believe me there was no dry eye after the curtain came down that night. I found myself sobbing non-stop even way before the emotional finale. For someone who’s had father issues, the story triggers a cacophony of repressed memories. Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t the horrible kind of cry. I personally thought that I needed that kind of release. The tears were, to an extent cathartic and much needed. I was so worried of looking like an emotional mess but I basked in every minute of it.

I guess what I’m trying to say, beneath all of these random ramblings, is that Fun Home Manila is a marvelous staging of the Bechdel piece. The production was a faithful interpretation with the amazing Bobby Garcia the helm. It is, in no way, a feel-good story. It was designed as such. But this is a story worth telling. A poignant coming of age tale interwoven with episodes of wide-eyed discovery. You will laugh and you will cry and you’ll definitely be grateful. I was.

Catch this Atlantis Productions offering  til the 27th of November. Seats are selling fast (if they’re not sold out already) so go out and make sure you see this amazing show. Buy your tickets here!

Annie Finds a New Home in Manila

So last night, we were given the rare opportunity to attend the technical dress rehearsal for the highly-anticipated staging of the Tony Award winning musical, Annie. Held at the Newport Perfoming Arts Theatre in Resort World Manila, hundreds of people lined up to catch an advanced sneak peek of the beloved show. And boy were we blown away.

Thank you Daryl for the passes!

Annie’s original Broadway production first opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years. It has brought forth numerous productions and adaptations in several countries on top of their national tours. The musical has been nominated for numerous Tony awards and has won seven to date including Best Musical. It’s been known to have catapulted the careers of many actors we know today such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Allison Smith and Alyson Kirk. Here in the Philippines, one of the most notable actors who’ve ever played Annie was none other than the Broadway superstar herself, Lea Salonga.

Krystal Brimner and Isabeli Araneta Elizalde headline the show. During last night’s run, Krystal has proven how out of the thousands of Annie hopefuls who auditioned early this year, she came out victorious and snatched the titular role. The child is a genius! Her voice was as magnificent as her acting is delightful and winsome. Her star was at its brightest as she sang the emotional “Maybe” and the ever famous, “Tomorrow”. She was a true Annie in every sense of the word. And she was not alone. The child actors who played Annie’s orphan friends were mind-blowing! Their talent is bursting at the seams and served as impressive supporting characters to Krystal’s Annie. They were amazing to watch as they perform the popular “It’s the Hard Knock Life” number to the delight of the audience. These children gave us a glimpse of the bright future ahead for Philippine theatre.

Like pros, the show started on time!

The adults were not be outshined too. Michael de Mesa was an endearing Oliver Warbucks who learns to open his heart to Annie. His acting bravado was in full display as he reminds the audience how astounding of an actor he is. And Menchu Lauchengco Yulo. The woman was a brilliant Agatha Hannigan, the disillusioned matron of the orphanage who resorts to alcohol to forget about her hatred towards children. She was brilliant, displaying her vocal chops singing “Little Girls” resulting to a deafening applause form the audience. Adding to the strong set of main characters was the astonishing performance of the ensemble. The chorus’ vocals was on point and the choreography was incredibly tight. They have definitely made for a stronger and more compelling show. Also, if I may add, Tony the labrador did such a phenomenal job as Sandy! I swear, my eyes started to well up when I saw that lovable dog. Adorable!

To compliment the wonderful performance of the cast, the show boasts a production design unlike any other. Now, I’ve never been a fan of LED screens on a show but Annie has managed to incorporate the technology to stage an experience you’ll never forget. The costumes were beautifully made and detailed down to very last seam. The set uses several devices that incorporate classical designs with modern day innovations. Scene changes were thoughtful and flawless and I found myself asking “how did they do that?” more than a couple of times. It was a visual feast for the eyes!

We were not allowed to take photos of the set!

Of course, all of this is not possible without the guidance and the direction of the formidable, Michael Williams, known for being part of the original Miss Saigon cast and his memorable performances in several productions including “The King and I”, “La Cage Aux Folles”, “Les Miserables” and just recently, one of the lead roles in Resorts World’s production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”.

Catch the limited run of Annie this September at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre in Resorts World Manila. The production will open this Friday, 30 September and will last until 4 December. It’s the perfect show to see with friends and family this holiday season. Be sure to bring your kids and let them find out what the magic of Annie is all about! Set a date with your closest friends and re-live the music that has captured the hearts of millions around the world. And if you’re feeling all sad and blue, see the show! It will, without a doubt, clear the cobwebs an the sorrow. ‘Til there’s none…

PS. I may or may not have run out of synonyms of the word AMAZING while writing this entry. Because really, the show was that good!

Book your tickets here and here!

Featured photo courtesy of Resorts World Manila Facebook page.

Kimi no Na wa: Makoto Shinkai’s Pièce de Résistance

Fleeting. Aching. Beautiful. These are words that would best draw the most vivid of our dreams. Words that are also fitting to describe Makoto Shinkai’s 2016 animated science-fiction fantasy offering; Kimi no Na wa (Your Name).

Touted as one of the “New MIyazakis”, a title most japanese animators try to veer away from no thanks to the insurmountable pressure that goes along with it, Shinkai has managed to flawlessly weave a story of friendship, young love and self discovery. Unlike Miyazaki,who often tells stories of young heroines in different adventures, Makoto Shinkai places the focus on the romantic relationships formed between lovers of his tales.

The film is about star crossed lovers, separated by time and distance. It tells the story of two Japanese teenagers, Mitsuha, an unhappy girl from the province who thinks there’s more to life in the countryside and Taki, a boy from the city who dreams of becoming an architect one day. The two go through an experience that connects them in the most unusual way: They switch bodies in their dreams.

With a premise brimming with comedic potential, the film succeeds to deliver funny moments courtesy of not only the leads but also from a cast lovable and rollicking supporting characters. What makse the film more enjoyable is that instead of going overboard on the hilarity, it renders a rather light-hearted seriousness to it. From the pair’s awkward adjustments whenever they’re in each other’s bodies, to Mitsuha’s troubles with her politician of a father and Taki’s adolescent crush on his boss.

In the core of the story is a once-in-a-thousand year comet that passes through the Earth weeks before the story begins. Could it be an omen to the pair’s fate? This and the mystery behind the cords of Itomori and “Musubi”, an ancient belief of the presence of God in everything including time itself lends the story the prefect amount of fantasy for it to take its twists and turns.

And just like a dream, when the story has finally come to its sensory crescendo, Shinkai wakes you up. The connection he cuts short and the longing he leaves dangling in mid-air. But the beauty of the film lies on what remains. After the celestial display of colours that resembled a dream, a faint and escaping memory lingers. A painful yearning for something hidden in the recesses of your memory. The glimpse of love that not everyone gets to see.

Kimi no Na wa is a visual masterpiece. The gorgeous animation that made Shinkai a favourite among fans can be seen frame by frame. It is, simply, a stunning sight to behold. Adding to the film’s greatness is the beautiful score and the original music written especially for the project by the prominent Japanese rockband, Radwimps. Pretty much everything that makes for an outstanding film.

Makoto Shinkai has definitely carved himself a name with Kimi no Na wa (if he hasn’t already with his past works). He has proven, yet again, that he is no Miyazaki. He is his own person and one that is surely destined to be the next big thing.

PS. Thank you Jappy for telling me all about this! (You’ve just made me a Shinkai fan!)

Watch the film’s trailer here.

Why Stranger Things is More Than a Retro Rollercoaster Ride.

So it was a nippy Friday evening when we finally found the time to binge-watch the inevitable. I’ve been putting it off for the longest time now because as with every TV series I’ve ever loved, I was afraid I might like it too much it would add to my separation anxiety when it ends. But the time had come. And my 90’s heart loved every minute of it.

Okay, so Stranger Things was set in 80’s I know. But here in Manila, the 80s trends were so late that we were enjoying them in the early 90’s. We 90’s kids were the beneficiaries of the remnants of the 80’s that had been. And boy was it good. Netflix’s newest offering was everything but a mere nostalgic fan service. It could have easily been one but the beauty behind the show’s writing is its subtle modern-day relevance.

Goonies much? I want me my own Gaten Materazzo of a child!

What the show succeeds at is its unique ability to capture the interest of the older Gen-X Dungeon and Dragons fans and the retrograde-loving kids of today drawn to the era of bicycles and soda fountains. The show is oozing with Spielberg and King references at every corner you look and the themes are taken straight out of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “ET”. Eleven, played  by the genius Millie Bobby Brown, gave us a glimpse back to a younger Drew Barrymore in “Firestarter”.

The series revolves around the search for a missing boy – Will. His group of rowdy and  Supernatural-loving boys-Mike, Lucas and the charmingly awkward Dustin (he gets the best lines) believe that there’s more to the mystery than being a simple missing person’s case and goes out on a real-life, Goonies-inspired, DnD campaign to find their friend. They of course get entangled with a mysterious girl with an enigmatic past. An alcoholic cop and a single mom, played by the brilliant Winona Ryder, team up to find her missing son and stumble upon a scandalous government cover-up that might solve the case. And a teenage prom queen, in search of herself in the middle of all the chaos.

Winona Ryder shines as Joyce Byers in search of her missing son, Will.

All of these small arcs are tied together by an amazingly written plot that could easily be pulled straight out of a “The Twilight Zone” and “Outer Limits” episode. The show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers have been quoted to have cited Stephen King and Wes Craven as inspirations to their writing and Spielberg and John Carpenter for their vision. And if you are to cite inspirations for a Sci-fi horror TV flick, there are no better names to say than those four.

Make time for this TV series. The writing is just sublime and the cast is just bursting at the seams with so much sincerity. If you’re up for a retreat from the modern-day hodgepodge of repetitive TV programming, this rebel of a show is just the perfect getaway. It’s fantasy without being escapistic. I mean, if that OBB with the red glowing retro font doesn’t lure you in, I don’t know what else will.

Why Frank Ocean Refuses to be Put in a Box.

I’m gonna start by saying that I’m a huge Frank Ocean fan since I first heard him back in 2012. His debut album “Channel Orange” has been part of my playlist since then. I would reach for it every time I’m in the mood to dance to a beat, grin to a joke only I get or sob because his lyrics resonate to the deepest recesses of my soul. It’s one of my favourite albums sharing shelf-space with the likes of Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black and MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular.

So imagine the giddy anticipation I felt when rumours started spinning that Ocean was about to spill his sophomore album over the weekend. I couldn’t contain myself! I haven’t been this excited about an album in a while. So the weekend came and I see that it was out. I was in Starbucks doing my slew of work-related deadlines when I got my hands on it. Ocean’s puzzlingly and grammatically and homogeneously titled Blond. Instantly, (and expectedly) I was intrigued.

photo courtesy of HighSnobiety

Blond, in a nutshell, is Ocean’s resounding bellow to not be categorised in a 4×4 box. It is a trippy and less than melodic journey through the mind of a true craftsman. There are periods of sanity in between irregular intervals of abstract. In his lead single, “Nikes”, Ocean warps his voice in a distort that makes the vocals sound almost like chipmunks. It’s a weird choice but I was along for the ride. He then starts to reveal his sultry tenor towards the end. “Pink + White” is definitely a bomb waiting to happen. Soulful beats backed up by the haunting vocals of the one Beyoncé. You can never go wrong with that.

watch Frank Ocean’s music video of “Nikes” here.

The recurring theme in Blond is Ocean’s exploits with drugs. Particularly marijuana. Pretty evident in the psychedelic synthesisers and dizzying lyrics of some of his songs like “Solo” and that off-putting bridge “Be Yourself” where one hears a supposed telephone recording of Frank’s mother telling him to stay away from the drug. Of course, Ocean sings of heartaches and love too. On “Ivy”, he sings of breaking someone’s heart but knowing that that he’ll be alright the week after and thinking he was dreaming when someone said he loved him. It’s atypical but absolutely relatable. There is confidence in the lyrics but a perverse shyness in the delivery.

Blond stands solidly on its dazed vibe and dissonant atmosphere. What other might see as a catastrophic and almost deliberate weakness is what most might consider its monolithic strength. The album is an experience itself. It’s dizzying, inharmonious and sometimes enigmatic. But that’s the whole point of the album. It refuses to be confined to a specific genre that clearly, Ocean has been delinquently pushing the borders of. Something I believe more artists should definitely be doing.