The Sound of Music cast revealed
As the spectacular production of "Kaos" culminated last summer, the public waited advertently for Resorts World Manila's next musical offering. Talks about the cast's composition hovered around social sites a few months after. Finally, Resorts World Manila's most anticipated sophomore stage production "The Sound of Music" unveiled a world-class ensemble forming its cast and a list of decorated names completing its production team in a press conference held last September 9, 2011 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
Joanna Ampil, west end’s Mary Magdalene (Jesus Christ Superstar) and Kim (Miss Saigon), and Cris Villonco, Repertory Philippines’ Ophelia (Hamlet) and recently Maria Clara in Cultural Center of the Philippines' "Noli Me Tangere", will play alternately as Maria.
Meanwhile, Audie Gemora, referred to as "King of Philippine Musical Theatre" and has performed as Juan Peron in Repertory Philippines’ "Evita" and as Riff in the "West Side Story" among others, will play Captain Georg von Trapp. Ed Feist, an international business executive in the health care industry and with theater credits in "Cyrano de Berjerac" and as Mark Anthony in "Cleopatra" will play alternately as Captain von Trapp. 2006 World Champion of the Performing Arts and actor of the US and European productions for “South Pacific” and “My Fair Lady”, Jon Joven, will be the third Georg von Trapp.
“From 300 to 400 auditionees, I’m sure we were able to pick the best”, the play’s director Roxanne Lapus said.
The cast of The Sound of Music: Captain Georg von Trapp Ed Feist and the Trapp kids (left photo), while right
photo shows Joanna Ampil (standing) introduced during the press conference as Resorts World Manila's
Vice President for Marketing Jeff Evora, Director Roxanne Lapus and the other Maria, Cris Villonco looks on
Lapus, a celebrated stage play and musical director herself, was also proud to introduce young talents chosen to play as the seven Trapp kids. Tanya Manalang will play Liesl von Trapp with Rachel Coates as alternate. The rest of the actors as the Trapp kids and their alternates are Danielle Sanghio and Rebecca Coates as Louisa, Paolo Ocampo and Luis Nieto as Friedrich, Atasha Muhlach, Janina Punzalan and Alessandra Allado as Brigitta, Roberto Sison, Anton Posadas and Justin Sian as Kurt, Alida Moberg, Paula Zamesa, Sofia Yabyabin as Marta and Alexa Villarroel and Shanti Gleason as Gretl.
“Atasha has grown fit for the character”, Lapus said when asked about the press on the inclusion of celebrities Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales’s daughter in the cast. “All of them (the kids) actually are already attached to their roles”, she added.
The members of the press were given a preliminary feel of The Sound of Music during September 9's presscon.
Seen here is Joanna Ampil as Maria, Audie Gemora as Captain Georg von Trapp and the Trapp kids.
A powerhouse production team to back up the talents were also introduced at the press conference. A specially handpicked video director was chosen to complement Newport Performing Arts Theater’s huge LED screen. “It will be a mirage, a symmetry of visuals. We will bring the Alps to you, the abby to you, we will bring you the forest”, renowned music video director and now movie director Paul Soriano said. “We’re going to bring you old sets. We promise you, it will be a visual treat”, Mio Infante, the production designer, added. Also shown at the press conference are the sketches of the costume designs done by “the designer to the stars” himself Francis Libiran.
Completing the cast are veteran TV and stage director Pinky Marquez to play as Mother Abbess with another veteran stage actress Sheila Fransisco as alternate. Miguel Faustmann and Robbie Guevara shares the role of Max Detweiler while character actress in several television soaps, Pinky Amador will play Baroness Elsa Schraeder. Katha Awards Best Jazz Composer and Performer Lynn Sherman alternates as the Baroness. Repertory Philippines’s “Sweeney Todd” and a cast of Trumpets Inc.’s “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, Marvin Ong shares the role as Rolf (Liesl von Trapp’s love interest) with television’s child wonder Bryan Homecillo.
The cast of The Sound of Music during the photo sessions after the presscon
Bringing into excellent rendition the hits “The Sound of Music”, “Edelweiss”, “So, Long Farewell”, and “Do-Re-Mi” among others, meanwhile, is the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenar.
“We will give you a traditional play centered on values of family love with a new lift on production; visuals on LED screen, a revolving stair… And we edited some scenes not that needed to make it faster, friendlier to the audience”, Roxanne Lapus shared further.
Indeed, the hills are alive again! “The Sound of Music” opens to the public next month, October 15, playing on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8:00 PM, every 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Saturdays and 3:00 pm on Sundays.
Ticket prizes are at P1,000 (balcony), P1,300 (deluxe), P1,700 (premiere) and P2,000 (VIP). Tickets are available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets. Call the Resorts World Manila Tourist/ Visitor Hotline at 836-6333, 908-8833 or TicketWorld at 811-9999 for more information.
Photos courtesy of Mr. Mark Clemente.
