The Delightful Ten: They’re Playing Our Song

I am an excited, happy fan girl when I found out that Nikki Gil will star in the newest project of 9 Works Theatrical. I am truly delighted when they announced that They’re Playing Our Song, a hit musical comedy will be staging in RCBC on the love month of 2013. I’ve seen the success of Sweet Charity, and I knew TPOS (without biased) will be trending also.

I am very grateful to be invited in the press night of TPOS. This means I’m gonna be among the first ones who can watch the show which happens before their first opening night. I really wish I had this media related career, doing plays, concerts, and movie reviews, and the perks of watching those for free.

I have listed here my favorite moments on They’re Playing Our Song.

1.  Sonia’s Fashion. This adds to the comedic scenes in the story. All praises to wardrobe team for coming up with brilliant (but do not copy except in costume parties) Sonia dresses. I really adore the pink blazer and long skirt during the first scene and the red riding hood costume she wore.

2.  Sonia’s Personality. I was laughing the whole time because of Sonia’s witty, indecisive, adventurous, and overly-attach-to-Leon attitude. Her being fun-loving inspires us to become optimistic in life. Her indecisiveness reminds me of waking-up-in-the-morning-is-such-a-hard-thing-to-do. We all have this alarm clock snooze moment and say 5 more minutes, or 10, and so on. It’s funny how she changes schedule easily and not following it either. Sonia as adventurous woman and a dreamer is an inspiring one. This reminds me of the saying “Seize the day” and “Live while were young”. Lastly, her love-hate-love relationship with Leon are the scenes to laugh about also.

3.  Vernon’s Personality. A successful composer who criticized Sonia’s songwriting. One of the scenes I won’t forget must be the Sonia’s lyrics evaluation. That moment when she picked Fallin’ as the perfect song, and the song that he like because of few parts only. I adore his patience for Sonia, his journal recording that I found cute too, and the dancing gracefully scenes. Oh and his love for Sonia that made me say aaaaaaaw.

4.  The Props/Stage. I love love the wonderful stage. The few props didn’t look awkward. The circular, rotating stage is an excellent idea, as they get the back portion done for the next scene. The road trip scene must be my favorite props performance, wherein they insert road signs while the stage is rotating which make driving looks real. I like Vernon’s home, Sonia’s home, the mistaken cottage room, the disco, the hospital, and all. Just lovely.

5.  The Songs. This musical play is a feel good one, because of the songs perfect for the plot. The story of the composer and songwriter revolves around making music and making it big in the industry. Nonetheless, the most meaningful thing that happened is the love that blossoms as they work together as musicians.

6.  The Leon. The very popular Leon. I have love and hate him too. I love him because he made Sonia happy and Sonia made us happy too when she talks about him. I hate him though because he broke Sonia’s heart and he still enters to scene when Sonia and Vernon is happily together.  I guess it’s nice that they don’t include Leon in the cast. We’ve all had in our imagination of Leon’s face and physical look. And when the phone rings, it reminded us of Leon. Hihi

7.   The Voices. The soul voices of Vernon and Sonia are fascinating too. The boy and girl group has contributed fun, excitement, and lively ambiance. They sing and dance beautifully and stand out individually, too.

8.  The Cast. It’s my first time to watch a theater show with 8 roles only. Some might find it boring, but this one is perfect. To think that this one is a musical, a big production is expected. However, 9WT didn't make it wrong when they've decided to stage TPOS, revolving around Sonia’s solo, Vernon’s solo, and just background voices. This made me proud of Nikki and Lorenz too, because it is definitely no rest for their voice during the almost 3-hour play.

9.   Elle, Charity, Sonia. During the press night, Nikki was asked how she’d differentiate the roles of Elle, Charity, and Sonia because basically all roles portray a witty lady. Nikki says she create 3 column table and listed the personalities of 3 ladies. There she found out how she will not mingle the 3 characters. I’ve watch Legally Blonde and Sweet Charity, and I must say that Nikki has interprets Sonia’s personality in her own way, in her own style, uniquely.

10.   The Piano. The significance of piano in the play is the one I noticed also. A very important instrument for Vernon, the musician. It was his bestfriend while waiting patiently for Sonia, and when Sonia finally came, it’s their pal at work. And the little piano Sonia gave to Vernon while he is in the hospital. The piano keys in the stage background is amusing too.

Press Q & A

Sonia and the Nixters

Sonia and Jessa

They're Playing Our Song

Lookie who's a happy fan girl.

Meeeeeee! :-)

(c) Photos from sydneysharmaine

And the Nixters, too.

(c) Photo from https://www.facebook.com/9workstheatrical

I am really proud and glad because Nikki was given the opportunity to perform on theater stage again. Looks like she's following the path of her idol, Ms. Lea Salonga. Yey. On her own way, Nikki will showcase her acting, singing, and dancing prowess as she portrays the role of Sonia Walsk in They're Playing Our Song. After Legally Blonde and Sweet Charity, I'm too excited to see how They're Playing Our Song will be different. I remember the tears of joy I cried when I watched Nikki as Elle and Charity. I'm sure TPOS is bigger, brighter, and better. Nikki, certainly have learned a lot during her journey to being at her best as theater actress. It's really fulfilling when you work hard and when you love your job. :-) Break a leg, Ate Niks!

(c) Photo from https://www.facebook.com/9workstheatrical

They're Playing Our Song is a musical with a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, and music by Marvin Hamlisch.

In a story based on the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager, a wisecracking composer finds a new, offbeat lyricist, but initially the match is not one made in heaven. The two undergo a series of trials and overcome a number of hurdles before finding true love by the final curtain.

They're Playing Our Song is essentially a two-character show. Vernon and Sonia are the sole characters on stage; each character has a three-person Greek chorus acting as their inner voices, and there are no big production numbers.

Act I

Top pop music composer Vernon Gersch, hoping to find a new collaborator, meets offbeat Sonia Walsk, who has already had some success writing lyrics and is in awe of his accomplishments, at his luxury Manhattan apartment. She is surprised that his Oscar is so light, and Vernon quips, "They're chocolate inside." He is aloof and focused, while she is disorganized and distracted, but Vernon has already written music to one of Sonia's lyrics, and they decide to forge ahead. Sonia, frazzled by her break up with lover Leon, arrives a day late for their first work session. When they begin, she tells Vernon they should get to know each other on a personal level in order for their work to gel, and they decide to have dinner at "Le Club."

Sonia, who has been trying to ease Leon's anguish, is late yet again, and the evening begins badly. She and Vernon argue, then dance in an effort to calm down. The two settle down to enjoy the evening, and they hear their own songs being played over the sound system. Another work session, in which the two really don't listen to each other, follows, but Vernon convinces Sonia to join him for a romantic weekend at a Long Island beach house. The trip to the island in Vernon's small sports car is fraught with engine trouble, calls to Leon, and arguments. They finally arrive at the house, but a phone call from Leon threatens the romantic mood. Determined to concentrate on Vernon, Sonia tells Leon that she can't help him and hangs up.

Act II

It's a week later and Vernon is suffering from insomnia. Sonia manipulates her way into his apartment by telling him she has no place to stay since Leon is back living at her place. Sonia and Vernon's romance and collaboration seems successful for a while, but the relationship begins to crumble because of her inability to send her ex-boyfriend away. Also, away from his piano, Vernon is a bundle of neuroses and unable to express his deepest feelings. After some psychologizing about the difficulties of living and working together, the pair split up at a recording session.

A few months later, while Vernon is in a Los Angeles hospital, Sonia arrives unexpectedly with a tiny red child's piano as a get-well gift. Months later, both have separately come to the realization that, despite their differences, they are better together. Vernon arrives at Sonia's apartment in New York to tell her that he wants to try again. She agrees, and they reconcile with a kiss.

(c) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They're_Playing_Our_Song

Stay in love, fall in love, celebrate love. Catch They're Playing Our Song from February 9 to March 3 (every weekends) at RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Click these links for more information: Website | Facebook | Twitter

The Delightful Ten: The Phantom of the Opera

It's a rare chance for me to watch theater shows. I've seen local ones during college days and Nikay's starring role in Legally Blonde and Sweet Charity. Last month, a popular theatrical show, The Phantom of the Opera graces the Philippines for consecutive shows in Manila. My aunt is bugging me about watching it because of its greatness and she knew that it is internationally acclaimed. I've tried joining random facebook and twitter contest for free tickets. Unfortunately, I never win any. So we finally decided to open our wallets and check our pockets in order to purchase show tickets. I was able to buy 4 tickets for a Tuesday show, balcony level, last row, end to end. Hihi. Anyhow, I did enjoy the show. I am phantomized. :)

The Phantom of the Opera Top 10 Delighted Moments

1. The Phantom himself, Erik. Aaaah. But your name, I wasn't really happy. I forgive you, because that's K not C.

2. It was on the web when I see your lovely face. You're indeed handsome, Raoul. And your voice matches the face, lovely also.

3. Christine, which I love to pronounce as 'cris-teyn'. You're unbelievably an excellent performer.

4. The whole cast was extremely amazing. Thank you and congratulations for the awesome night.

5. My favorite scene has to be Christine and Raoul's "All I Ask Of You". Must be because I can sing along with it.

6. My favorite song has to be "The Phantom of the Opera" sung by Christine and Phantom.

7. My eyes brightens during the staircase number. The magic of the colors, the costume. Aaaah aaaah amazing.

8. The horror/terror part that made the show more exciting. All of it.

9. The cast that embraces the Filipino tradition and culture as they stay here for more that a month.

10. The plot of the story. I am planning to read the novel, it's just I don't have time. I am always tired. :(