Post by ange4mig on Jun 17, 2012 0:30:06 GMT -5
Do you wanna get Rocked?
by Johanna D. Poblete
Business World Weekender
THEATER
Rock of Ages
Presented by Atlantis
Directed by Chari Arespacochaga
June 15 to July 8
Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium,
RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave.
cor. Buendia, Makati City
Rock of Ages
Presented by Atlantis
Directed by Chari Arespacochaga
June 15 to July 8
Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium,
RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave.
cor. Buendia, Makati City
Filipinos are no strangers to the so-called “hair band era” and its long-haired, ostensibly glamorous rockers with their pounding drums and screaming guitars, a bandanna binding the highly-strung vocalist’s unruly, sweat-stained mane as he bellows into a microphone (which sports matching scarves of course) like a banshee gone berserk.
Ride a public conveyance in Manila and you’ll be transported to the 1980s by the music of Bon Jovi, Poison, Def Leppard, Twisted Sister, Styx, Whitesnake, Europe, and yes, REO Speedwagon. And if that’s not enough, Rock of Ages -- both the musical and the movie -- featuring songs from these very same bands, debuts in Manila today.
It’s a choice between the hammed-up swaggering performance of the very buff Tom Cruise (looking as good if not better than he did during his Top Gun days, plus guyliner) as ageing glam metal rocker Stacee Jaxx, on film, or perhaps catching one of Cruise’s inspirations, “prodigal son” Australian-Filipino singer Miguel Alfonso Ramon Legarda “MiG” Ayesa who reprises his Broadway role in the Manila stage production.
To hear Mr. Ayesa tell it -- in awed and suitably respectful inflection -- Mr. Cruise (who has been referred to as a “rock star among actors”) had gone to his show with director Adam Shankman and young wife Katie Holmes in tow, as prepwork for the bigscreen portrayal. This may or may not encourage curious moviegoers to catch the musical being staged at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium.
“I guess everyone will have their own take on that. The movie for sure is a completely different animal from the show. So let’s just call it a good thing. That’s how infectiously fun this show is, it has gone from a playlist for a legendary rock concert to a great time at the theater and now to a movie,” said Chari Arespacochaga, who directs the stage production, in an interview.
“I can only speak for the show we are doing though when I say we promise it will be nothin’ but a good time!,” she added.
On the one hand, there really is very little to the story of Rock of Ages -- does one really need to be told that fame fades away, youth takes over, and love conquers all possible woes -- including an ill-judged tryst in the men’s toilet? But given that it’s a rock/jukebox musical in homage to the glory days of the Sunset Strip ’87, it’s also a glittery invite for those who grew up in that era to relive their misspent youth, and for those who were born too late to experience what all the fuss and Aquanet spraying is about.
Ms. Arespacochaga, who remembers “a time in [her] life when [she] was really into long-haired guys” indicated that she “fell in love” with the show upon seeing its Broadway opening three years ago, and that it “felt like going to the theater, a rock concert, a party, back to the ’80s all in one go.
“The songs are beloved, enduring rock classics and people of that era will really enjoy hearing in this context of telling a story of finding love and dreams coming true on the Sunset Strip. Now the songs are not any less entertaining for those not of the ’80s. The amazing thing will be they may be hearing these songs for the first time in this context.
And they work just as well anyway!,” said Ms. Arespacochaga.
The Manila theater production offers up not only Mr. Ayesa as Jaxx but also Nyoy Volante as Drew Boley, the busboy with the talent and looks to be the next big thing, and Vina Morales as Sherrie Christian, the starry-eyed waitress-turned-stripper with blonde ambitions and a heart too easily bruised. Local rockstar-turned-thespian Jett Pangan, Aiza Seguerra, Jinky Llamanzares, Calvin Milado, Jamie Wilson and Bibo Reyes make up the rocking ensemble.
“MiG jumped into this full throttle and got in with everyone immediately. He always says he walked into the rehearsals and felt like it was really meant to happen. Vina does magnificent work as Sherrie. I am thrilled that she is making her theater debut in this show. Nyoy we have always enjoyed working with in Atlantis. He is one of our favorite ‘bugoys.’ I must say everyone in this cast has brought in their own unique voice and sense of fun to the show,” she noted.
Delve into a period famed (or is it defamed) for its excess as the men “want nothing but a good time,” whereas the women are “hot and sticky sweet,” and both just “wanna rock.” Get caught up “in the magic of the moment, on a glory night,” and watch as the players urge you to “come on feel the noise” or, er, “pour some sugar... in the name of love.” Up to you whether you “ain’t gonna take it,” or if you “just can’t fight the feeling... anymore.”
For details, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187.[/center]