ELLEN SANTAMARIA, businesswoman: “I am saddened by the death of director Danny Zialcita. I hope CCP would organize a retrospective of his classics, like ‘Nagalit Ang Buwan Sa Haba Ng Gabi,” “Palabra de Honor” and “Dear Heart.”
We couldn’t stop raving about the exceptional performances turned in by the gifted actors of “Katy” at its CCP restaging last month. We have directed our fair share of straight plays and musicals since 2001, and we know only too well how difficult it is to coax “even” portrayals from a huge cast with disparate skills and strengths.
Two of the lead players in Spotlight Artist Centre’s hit restaging of “Katy” who got exultant ovations from theater lovers were TV-film stars, Tirso Cruz III and Epy Quizon.
The cast and production staff of the current revival staging of “Katy!” at the CCP Little Theater worked really hard to get the musical in shape for its Press Night last Jan. 16— so, they were relieved when the show was given a standing ovation by the SRO audience!
It’s fascinating to watch Tirso Cruz III at the rehearsals of “Katy,” which began its two-week, 12-show run at the CCP on Jan. 17 (call 891-9999). As pleasantly surprised as we are about how he has maintained his youthful good looks, his co-actors tell us that the seasoned former screen partner of Nora Aunor is likewise devoid of bad attitude—and is a joy to work with.
From Jan. 17 to 27 at the CCP Little Theater, we are directing Spotlight Artists Center’s revival staging of the acclaimed Filipino stage musical, “Katy!,” with Isay Alvarez in the title role and Tirso Cruz III, Dulce, Aicelle Santos, Gian Magdangal, Epy Quizon, Tricia Jimenez, and other standout players also starring.
Glenn Katada, student: “If boxer Nonito Donaire is thinking of another career, he can always pursue singing. I watched him sing live on TV, and he more than passed muster. And the guy looks good, too. I’m not saying that he should transform himself into another Manny Pacquiao, by pursuing interests other than boxing. But, if I were to choose between the two, Donaire is definitely the better singer!”
Theater lovers cheer the fact that the country’s performing scene is enjoying a bumper crop of productions this year. Trouble is, around 80 percent of them involved visiting foreign acts, or are local stagings of “Broadway” or “West End” musicals created by foreign artists.
