LISA Macuja-Elizalde performs a number from “Sleeping Beauty.”
The much-awaited The Theatre at Solaire formally opened Wednesday evening with a spectacle that brought together Filipino music, theater and dance artists.
Solaire Resort and Casino’s new director for entertainment, singer-actor Audie Gemora, opened the show with a dazzling number, “Putting It Together.” This was followed by a classical music piece by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Gerard Salonga. The orchestra also provided accompaniment for succeeding performances.
The Philippine Opera Company, led by sopranos Myramae Meneses, Karla Gutierrez and Camille Lopez-Molina, sang excerpts from Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata.” Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Ballet Manila presented a number from “Sleeping Beauty.”
Robert Seña, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, Karylle, Myke Salomon, Aicelle Santos and Isay Alvarez performed a medley of songs from some of the most successful Filipino musicals, including “Rak of Aegis” and “Katy.”
MANAGER Grace Mendoza and talent Mark Mabasa
Sam Concepcion delivered a lively rendition of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy,” while Ednah Ledesma, The Manoeuvres, 38 Degrees and Regine Tolentino showed off agile moves in their dance numbers.
The pace changed with a medley of OPM hits by Morissette Amon, Christian Bautista, Yeng Constantino and Martin Nievera.
Finally, the main act, Tony Award-winning singer-actress Lea Salonga enchanted with a medley of “Memory,” “I Dreamed a Dream” and “On My Own.” She sang two songs from the musical “Wicked”—“For Good” and “Defying Gravity,” both applauded resoundingly.
Photos by Alanah Torralba
FROM LEFT: German Moreno, Alice Eduardo, Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez