The sound of … talented Filipinos
When you go to see Resorts World Manila’s production of “The Sound of Music,” try not to expect the beloved Julie Andrews-Christopher Plummer starrer to be played out on stage. A lot of scenes were modified to suit the original 3-D medium – and we picked out two or three unfamiliar songs. It doesn’t matter.
World-class star
What you can look forward to is world-class singing, from start to finish, by Filipina West End star Joanna Ampil as Maria; imaginative and affective sets (kudos to production designer Mio Infante); and many other pleasant surprises. These will include a moving rendition of “Climb Every Mountain” – the best-applauded number and curiously so, given the more upbeat hits from the musical – by Sheila Francisco, another West End star, as Mother Abbess; Marvin Ong confidently strutting across the stage as Rolf; pixie scene-stealer Alexa Villaroel as the Von Trapp baby Gretl; and Danielle Sianghao, as Louisa, who sure has robust pipes.
Also, keep an eye (not that it’s possible to miss her) on Debraliz Valasote, sure-footed and thoroughly funny as the mayordoma Frau Schmidt.
Except for Frau Schmidt, these characters are played by other actors on other days. Cris Villonco subs as Maria, for example; Pinky Marquez as Mother Abbess, and Bryan Homecillo as Rolf. Captain Georg Von Trapp is played alternately by Audie Gemora, Ed Feist and Jon Joven.
“The Sound of Music” was first staged on Broadway in 1959. It won the Tony for best musical and best actress before premiering in London in 1961. It has since been re-staged in London, again on Broadway, and in countless theaters worldwide. The movie was made in 1965. There are appreciable explanations for these plaudits, and the two most significant – the music and the songs –
are deftly showcased in each Philippine production. How can they not be, in this nation of music makers!
“The Sound of Music” has been produced locally quite a few times before (among the young stars in Repertory Philippines’ 1980 version were Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson, Raymond and Menchu Lauchengco and Rissa Hontiveros). And still, interest obviously has not waned. Among the current pluses is the fact that the RWM production – directed by Roxanne Lapus and with orchestral music helmed by Rodel Colmenar – is being staged on the state-of-the-art Newport Performing Arts Theater.
No kidstuff
For the matinee show that we watched, the audience consisted of kids from 4 to 84. Speaking of kids, it might be better not to bring along 5-year-old and younger ones, unless they’ve seen the movie or a stage version, or heard the sound track – and definitely liked either or both. Chances are, they wouldn’t be interested in another important aspect, the story.
“The Sound of Music” is based on the exploits of the Von Trapp family in 1930s Austria, as the Nazi regime descended on Europe. Hardly kid stuff; in fact, rather somber. But the music is joyous, as we all know, and thrills the Filipino heart all over again.
