Tag: upstart productions


Mar
2015

DATE NIGHT: Into the Woods

categories: Art and Culture, Music, Reviews

My husband and I, in another rare moment, had our date night watching a fun (and funny) musical last month.

And we have proof! Thanks for taking this photo of us. (Courtesy: Into the Woods-Preview Night)
And we have proof! Thanks for taking this photo of us. (Courtesy: Into the Woods-Preview Night)

 

It was the Press Preview of Into the Woods, a musical by Stephen Sondheim, last February 20.

The setting was a giveaway, an outdoor venue called the Kasalikasan Garden. It got a bit cloudy in the afternoon, and we were hoping it won’t rain. Good thing it didn’t. The shawl was of help. It got a little chilly later in the evening. WARNING: Bring anti-mosquito lotions or patches, and don’t wear shorts. Seriously. =)

Given that it was outdoors, the challenge I thought of was the microphones, and that single keyboard to accompany the singers. It went well, nevertheless.

It was really great to see familiar faces in the cast (and in the crowd, too). My friends from the UP College of Music and former choirmates of my husband, were part of the cast. Awesome to see friends take part in productions I cover for this blog.

Here are some photos of the Press Preview last February 20. Credits: Upstart Productions.

Onyl Torres, my husband's former choirmate at the Ateneo, played the Steward...and then some, such as being propsman.
Onyl Torres, my husband’s former choirmate at the Ateneo, played the Steward…and then some, such as being propsman.
Kay Balajadia-Liggayu played the Stepmother of Cinderella. The funny trio here is comprised of Kay and real life sisters. Justine and Jill Pena, who play stepsisters of Cinderella.
Kay Balajadia-Liggayu played the Stepmother of Cinderella. The funny trio here is comprised of Kay and real life sisters. Justine and Jill Pena, who play stepsisters of Cinderella.
These two are plain funny! Juliene Mendoza (Cinderella’s Prince), and George Schulze (Rapunzel’s Prince).
These two are plain funny! Juliene Mendoza (Cinderella’s Prince), and George Schulze (Rapunzel’s Prince).
Charley Magalit played Rapunzel, and her high notes soared as high as Rapunzel's tower! We worked together in San Andres B in 2013 and she's also a Bechie Baby like I am (it's our collective name for students of our dear voice professor, Ma. Cecilia "Bechie" Valena).
Charley Magalit played Rapunzel, and her high notes soared as high as Rapunzel’s tower! We worked together in San Andres B in 2013. We’re both Bechie Babies (our collective name for students of our dear voice professor, Ma. Cecilia “Bechie” Valena).
The general plot of the story went around these three characters. The Witch, ably played by Rachel Alejandro, Lorenz Martinez (Baker), and Gemini Quintos (Baker’s Wife).
The general plot of the story went around these three characters. The Witch, ably played by Rachel Alejandro, Lorenz Martinez (Baker), and Gemini Quintos (Baker’s Wife).

Can’t get enough of the photos? Then you should watch the production. They’re extending the run until March 22!

Congratulations to the cast, staff, and crew of the production!

GOOD NEWS! Hear ye, hear ye.

By popular demand, Upstart Production’s INTO THE WOODS will be extending their run for one more weekend! Make sure to catch them under the stars at BGC’s Kasalikasan Gardens! A special discount of 20% will be given to early bird reservations, bulk buyers, senior citizens and students for the MARCH 22 show! Offer is until March 15, 2015 only.

You may call/ text the following number for inquiries.

Charley Magalit 0977- 210 6113
Zarina Anne De Asis 0917-579 9828
Kay Balajadia-Liggayu 0917- 417 2362

 

INTO THE WOODS. February 21, 22, 28, March 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22. All shows start 6:00 PM. Tickets available at Ticketworld (891-9999).

Presented by Bonifacio Global City, AVIVA Global Marine Corporation, and OLX Philippines. In cooperation with The Picasso Boutique Residences and Plana Forma. Also brought to you by Interaksyon.com, Image Nation Photography, Mac Cosmetics, Lulu Swing Shoes, Citrusnap, Chalk, Metro Magazine, and Stanley Ong Photography.

 

 

~ Touringkitty


Feb
2015

Upstart Productions takes us Into the Woods

categories: Art and Culture, Concerts, Press Releases

For its fifth production year, Upstart Productions takes us into the woods, literally.

Into the Woods takes us in a journey ever after... in the woods!
Into the Woods takes us in a journey ever after… in the woods!

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).
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 photo: 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).
During the Press Conference held at Picasso Boutique Residences.
During the intimate Press Conference held at Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences.

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).

Presented by Bonifacio Global City, AVIVA Global Marine Corporation, and OLX Philippines. In cooperation with The Picasso Boutique Residences and Plana Forma. Also brought to you by Interaksyon.com, Image Nation Photography, Mac Cosmetics, Lulu Swing Shoes, Citrusnap, Chalk, Metro Magazine, and Stanley Ong Photography.

 

~ Touringkitty