For its fifth production year, Upstart Productions takes us into the woods, literally.
Why so? Because the venue of their next production will be on the lush greens of Kasalikasan Garden in Bonifacion Global City. This would be the second time the production is using this venue, following its successful run of “Forbidden Broadway” last year. PCDA Board of Director, Upstart Managing Director and the production’s Vocal Coach Onyl Torres shares, “We’ve always loved the musical, so why not do it in the actual woods?”
Written by James Lapine (Sunday In The Park With George, Falsettos) and living legend Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd), Into The Woods intertwines the stories of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and a host of other fairy tale characters into a lush, extravagant musical that, according to Time Magazine, “affords non-stop pleasure.”
Onyl also mentioned that while this is a fairy tale-based work, kids who will watch should be guided by the grown-ups.
![The cast: From L-R: The full cast of Upstart Production Inc.’s “Into the Woods” - Chino Veguillas (Wolf), Kay Balajadia-Liggayu (Cinderella's Stepmother), Jill Peña (Florinda), Justine Peña (Lucinda), Reb Atadero (Jack), Jillian Ita-as (Little Red Riding Hood), Rachel Alejandro (Witch), Teenee Chan (Jack's Mother), Noel Rayos (Baker [at certain performances]), Noel Trinidad (Narrator), Mica Pineda (Cinderella), Robie Zialcita (Cinderella's Father), Charley Magalit (Rapunzel), Nicky Triviño (Ghost of Cinderella's Mother/ Red's Grandmother). Not in the picture: Rachel Alejandro (Witch), Shiela Valderrama-Martinez (Baker's Wife), Lorenz Martinez (Baker), Gemini Quintos (Baker's Wife [at certain performances]), Juliene Mendoza (Cinderella's Prince), George Schulze (Rapunzel's Prince), and Onyl Torres (Steward).](https://i0.wp.com/www.touringkitty.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Into-the-Woods-cast-picture.jpg)
The cast did a sampling of the musical’s Act I Finale, Ever After. Almost everyone remarked that the music was difficult to learn, but I’m pretty sure it will sound great given that it is a Sondheim masterpiece. One more notable thing on this production is that the music will only be provided by a piano. Dingdong Fiel, the production’s musical director, will carry out the arduous task of accompanying the ensemble on piano.
Have you seen the movie yet that’s showing on theaters now? Because I haven’t. Looking forward to see this as National Arts Month comes to a close. If you had a fairy tale-filled childhood, you should watch this.
INTO THE WOODS. February 21, 22, 28, March 1, 7, 8, 14, 15. All shows start 6:00 PM. Tickets available at Ticketworld (891-9999).
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~ Touringkitty