Waxing nostalgic with the golden goodies

VALDES. Prodigious “total-performance” feat. photo: facebook.com

From time to time, we wax nostalgic and watch the oldies but goodies on the Jeepney channel, like Dayanara Torres  dancing before she became an international luminary and  married Marc Anthony, etc. It’s also fascinating to see today’s established stars in their tender youth, or even as child talents.

But, the best nostalgic treat of all was provided just last week by a truly memorable special (and “very delayed and retroactive” telecast) of “Ryan, Ryan, Musikahan,” the old musical TV show that we most fervently want to see revived for the benefit of today’s young singers and music fans alike, still with Leo Rialp directing.

Since we have yet to see that fond and fervent dream realized, we make-do with occasional nostalgic glimpses of old “Musikahan” shows, but we must say that last week’s telecast was especially wonderful, because it features as special guests the memorable likes of Mitch Valdes, Mel Villena and Douglas Nierras.

Thanks to Rialp’s creative showcasing and Ryan Cayabyab’s delighted mentorship, those exceedingly estimable talents went to town with their antic performances and gave viewers a night to specially savor and remember—even if it was on the nth time around!

Special show

Fact is, the special show was focused on Mitch’s many talents—as singer, comedienne and hoofer—and her “sing-and-dance duet” with herself was a truly prodigious “total-performance” feat that today’s stars can only dream of approximating.

Not to be outdone, Mel and Douglas also scored bigtime when they joined Mitch in a saucy and sizzling spoof rendition of “McArthur’s Park,” with Douglas providing the “dance ensemble” component all by his lonesome, and Mel doing singing and dancing back-up chores—which included even trying to execute an excruciating (for him and for us) split in the process!

It was all zany fun, of course, but there was a lot of talent, skill and brio behind the “craziness,” which is what made it memorable.

It was such fun to see Powerdance choreographer and guru Douglas dancing up a spoofy storm and even poking fun at his own signature style of terpsichore.

As for Mel, he was a veritable whirling dervish of delight—and impudent moxie, mojo and chutzpah, for good measure (!).