Beginning August 18, at Onstage, Greenbelt 1 in Makati City, Repertory Philippines' Children's Theater is staging “The Wizard of Oz”, considered the greatest family musical of all time. The show runs until December 16, 2012.
“The Wizard of Oz” is a stage adaptation of the classic children's book by L. Frank Baum, with music by Jeanne Bargy and Jim Eiler and book and lyrics by Jim Eiler. (Please note: This musical adaptation is NOT based on the MGM film, nor does it include any of the songs from that film.)
In the story, after a tornado whisks away a young Kansas farm girl, Dorothy, to the magical land of Oz, she starts her quest to find the mighty Wizard of Oz who has the power to send her back home. Along the way she meets a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion who help her on her journey.
“'The Wizard of Oz' is a fantasy--it’s magical and dreamlike,” says Joy Virata, artistic director of Rep Children’s Theater and director of the production. “It's a perfect match for our Repertory Children’s Theater. People will recognize the show and characters they’ve always loved, but they will feel the energy from a new generation of performers who love Dorothy as much as their grandparents do.”
The youthful cast includes Cara Barredo and Giannina Ocampo as Dorothy; Liesl Batucan and Kyla Rivera as Glinda the Good Witch; Pinky Marquez and Rem Zamora as the Wicked Witch of the West; James Stacey and Arnel Carrion as the Scarecrow; Hans Eckstein and Nic Campos as the Tin Man; Oliver Usison and Mano Domingo as the Lion; Nathalie Everett and Ayam Barredo Eckstein as Aunt Em; Rem Zamora and Chino Veguillas as Uncle Henry; Bobby Superales, Jim Ferrer, Deo dela Cruz and Clark dela Riva as the acrobats and Monkeys.
In the ensemble are Janine Tolentino, Shalee Vicencio, Nicky Trivino, Ina Salonga, Daniella Gana, Gold Soon, Marie Delgado, Karyl Factora, Dingdong Rosales, Josh Ramirez, Jon Mamaid, Fran Jose, Edu Briones, Luis Nieto, Eric Mercado and Onyl Torres.
The artistic and creative team is led by Baby Barredo (Rep artistic director), Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (associate artistic director), Joy Virata (artistic director--Rep Children’s Theater), Nathalie Everett (choreographer), John Batalla (lighting designer), Lex Marcos (set designer) and Raven Ong (costume designer).
The prroduction staff has Juno Henares (executive producer), Gidget Tolentino (production manager), Ayam Barredo (company manager), Jojo Amboy (stage manager), Pol Roxas (sound technician), Pablito Salvador (lighting technician) and Adul Lasin (set Execution and scenic Artist).
Toots Tolentino is in charge of PR/publicity, along with Rem Zamora and Oliver Usison (PR/publicity, marketing), Letty Barredo, Marie Talay and Rose Silva (marketing/sales) and Jojit Lorenzo (photography).
“The Wizard of Oz” runs August 18-December 16, 2012. All performances are at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legazpi St., Makati City.
Repertory Philippines is now accepting reservations for schools, civic groups and corporate sponsorships. Call 5716926 or 5714941, email info@repertory.ph, visit www.repertory.ph.
Tickets are also available at Ticketworld 8919999, or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.
Visit www.repertory.ph, subscribe to youtube.com/repertoryphils, and “like” Rep Phils in Facebook.