Proudly Filipino ‘Priscilla’ back after hit Singapore run

Jon Santos shake his groove thing onstage.

The cross-dressing gang from the 1980s disco era is back in the Philippines.

After a successful run in Resorts World in Sentosa, Singapore in October, the musical “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert” is set to charm Manila audiences again with “level-up” singing, dancing and acting by main actors Jon Santos, Red Concepcion and Michael Stuart Williams.

Jon Santos, who plays Bernadette, one of the drag queens in the musical, said he felt fulfilled for having performed in front of a non-Filipino crowd, and surprised at the result.

“They told us Singaporeans were hard to impress, so we really prepared for that,” Santos said. “We were, however, amazed by the reception. They sang and danced with us and gave us a ‘dancing ovation.’”

The audience—with expats, aside from the locals—are used to seeing world-class shows like “Wicked” and “Jersey Boys.” They’ve seen Broadway and West End musicals. Despite that, they clearly appreciated and enjoyed Filipino talent and that’s very heart-warming, Santos said.

Other shows, he said, usually impressed with elaborate and high-tech stages and sets—they may even have divas flying with harnesses and trails, but the shows delivered by Filipinos had “heart.”

This is his first musical theater adventure, and hopefully not the last, Santos said. Better-known for his comic impressions of famous personalities like Joseph Estrada, Vilma Santos and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, he said playing Bernadette is a refreshing detour:

“Bernadette is a fictional character. It’s fun to reinvent characters even for just three months (including rehearsal period). Theater acting is more to me like ‘meat and potato’ acting. The challenge is to adapt to the attack of new actors, to deliver the lines as they should be delivered.”

At the same time, he added, the show is light, with lots of familiar disco tunes like “It’s Raining Men, “I Love the Night Life,” “I Will Survive,” and “Hot Stuff,” among others.

The show tells the story of two drag queens and a transsexual who ride a “budget Barbie camper” named “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” on a cross-country trip for a cabaret gig in a remote Australian desert. They encounter challenges through mishaps and chance meetings.

The musical features a powerhouse ensemble that includes OJ Mariano, Lani Ligot, Timmy Canlas, Ima Castro, Pinky Marquez and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo.

“At first, I was I was afraid, I was petrified,” Santos jested, “but now we’re back. I’m hyper, really happy, sentimental, and a bit sad at the same time, about our last few shows (in December).”

Important message

RED CONCEPCION

But more than the entertainment value, the show takes pride in the message, said Red Concepcion who plays Felicia.

“Although it’s a very happy, flashy and feel-good show, the show tackles gender equality. We hope the audience comes out not just singing the songs but with more awareness, that hate crimes do happen and that there are more things to be done to promote equality,” he said. “We are all the same no matter what race, skin color, religion, gender persuasion. We’re looking for the same things—love, family, friendship and acceptance.”

Bonding time

Concepcion performs with his father Raymund, who also plays Bernadette, like Santos, in the musical.

“We love rehearsing and working together. It’s always good to have a built-in support system,” the younger Concepcion said.

He added, “We like to be very professional. When we go to rehearsals, we’re actors. There’s a lot of mutual respect between us while working. When we go home, we’re family. We start talking about what we could have done better.”

Learning to be comfortable in one’s own skin, he stressed, is a must for an actor.

“You can’t be an actor and not have an opinion,” the admitted “former introvert” said. “You must be self-aware and secure about yourself.”

“Priscilla: Queen of the Desert” runs for two consecutive weekends (Nov. 28 to 30, Dec. 5 to 7) at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. For inquiries, call RWM Box Office, tel. no. 9088000 local 7700, or visit www.rwmanila.com/priscilla/.

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Jason Mraz, Raining Jane

JASON MRAZ (center) and Raining Jane

American pop artist Jason Mraz and indie band Raining Jane will perform on Nov. 27, 8 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. “Jason Mraz and Raining Jane: Live in Manila” tickets are available at TicketNet outlets and through www.ticketnet.com.ph.

‘In the Blood’

Hajji, Rachel, Ali, Nino and Eddie Alejandro will have a repeat of their show “In the Blood,” on Nov. 29, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum. Call 7216726 or TicketWorld at 891-9999.

‘Jack TV Mad Fest’

“Jack TV Mad Fest” is a music, arts and dance festival that will feature New Zealand singer Kimbra on Dec. 5 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Other performers include Urbandub, Imago, Sandwich, Ace Ramos with MC Pao, and Chocolate Grass, among others.

There will be art exhibitions by Secret Studio and dance performances by Team Vibe during the fest.

Visit TicketNet Online (www.ticketnet.com.ph) for details.

KIMBRA ap

‘Voice Kids All In’

Top four “The Voice Kids” contestants Lyca Gairanod, Darren Espanto, Darlene Vibares and Juan Karlos Labajo will have a show, “The Voice Kids All In: The Concert,” on Dec. 6 at the PICC Plenary Hall.

Guest performers are Mitoy Yonting, Klarisse de Guzman, Tonton Cabiles and Edray Teodoro.

For tickets, call 4702222 or visit www.smtickets.com.

‘Dishwalla Live in Manila’

Alternative rock band Dishwalla, popular for the 1990s hit “Counting Blue Cars,” will perform at the Libis Mega Tent on Dec. 6. For tickets, call TicketWorld at 8919999.