The Harry Potter Series from a New Perspective

From August 28 until September 2, Filipino Potterheads (or Harry Potter fans) may get a chance to watch Potted Potter:  The Unauthorized Harry Experience--A Parody by Dan and Jeff live at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of the RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

Written by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, this Oliver Award-nominated musical takes you into the magical world of Harry Potter, where books 1-7 of the series are hilariously tackled in just about 70 minutes. This show, which has played at theatres around the world, features all your favorite Harry Potter characters, brilliant songs, costumes, a fire-breathing dragon, a Quidditch match, and so much more of the other things which you loved about the Harry Potter franchise. This is something that everyone will enjoy, from the very young, to the very Dumbleodre-ish old. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, please call TicketWorld at 891-999. You may also visit their website at www.ticketworld.com.ph, or the play's Facebook page at facebook.com/PottedPotterManila.

Mamma Mia! at the CCP

Broadway musical enthusiasts from the Philippines will no longer have to travel abroad to see their favorite shows.

Beginning January 24, Mamma Mia!, a musical backed by the songs of Swedish pop group ABBA, will be staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater), for a limited period only.

Written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the story takes place in Greece where a young Sophie Sheridan goes on a quest to know the identity of her long-lost father, on the eve of her wedding. She brings three men from her mother's past to Greece, where they were just 20 years ago. The cast includes Charlotte Wakefield as Sophie Sheridan, and Sra Poyzer as Donna Sheridan, Sophie's mother. Also included are Rosie Heath as Ali and Tasha Taylor Thompson as Lisa, Sophie's friends who help her find her father.

The musical features 22 of ABBA's well-loved hits, including "Dancing Queen", "Knowing Me, Knowing You", "Money, Money, Money", "The WInner Takes It All", "SOS", "Thank You For The Music" and many more.

Shows are from Tuesdays to Sundays at 8 PM (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and at 3 PM (Saturday and Sunday). Tickets may now be purchased through TicketWorld. For inquiries, please call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or you may visit their website at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Theatre Group Brings School Rivalry to the Stage

For decades now, the much-publicized rivalry between two top educational institutions in the country, the Ateneo de Manila University, and the De La Salle University, has been mostly limited to the basketball court and the playing field during the UAAP Games. Avid fans lash out at each other as they compete for bragging rights, occasionally resulting in violent physical fights, especially among die-hard fans. We always see this rivalry unfold from this perspective, but wouldn't it be interesting to have an entirely different look into this rivalry which has been in existence since the 1930s?

The 4th Wall Theatre Company will take this rivalry to the theater stage as "Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle the Musical" will be staged at the Meralco Theater beginning January 27, until March 11.

The play is set in the year 1968, and the story revolves around two families--the Valencia family (the Atenean family) and the Basilios (the Lasallian family). The two sons in both families, Paco and Tommy, are both part of the Ateneo and La Salle basketball teams respectively, and are both competing for the same girl, Reena, who is from Maryknoll College (now known as Miriam College). 

The play is produced by Ed Gatchalian, who also serves as the composer, arranger, and orchestrator. Jamie del Mundo is the overall artistic director, while Joel Trinidad is the lyricist and Nancy Crowe is the choreographer.

Included in the cast are Felix Rivera, Red Concepcion, Jeremy Aguado, Juliene Mendoza, Raymund Concepcion, Noel Trinidad, Ashley Immler, Athena Tibi, Chino Veguillas, Meynard Penalosa, Jenny Nuida-Tatlonghari, Raul Montesa, OJ Mariano, and Sheila Francisco.

The show will have its run from January 27 until March 11, at 8pm (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday) and at 3pm (every Saturday and Sunday).

Tickets may be purchased at Ticketworld. Call up 891-9999 or check out ticketworld.com.ph.

"The Sound of Music" at Resorts World Manila

Catch "The Sound of Music", one of the world's most beloved musicals, at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre at the Resorts World Manila, which began its run on October 15. 

This musical is about the story of Maria, who is appointed as governess to the seven children of the widower Captain Von Trapp. Sing along to some of the all-time favorite songs such as "Do-Re-Mi", "The Sound of Music", and "So Long, Farewell", as you watch Maria win over the hearts of the Von Trapp children as well as Captain Von Trapp himself. 

The production includes a powerhouse cats, including Joanna Ampil and Cris Villonco as Maria and Audie Gemora and Ed Feist as Captain Georg Von Trapp. Also in the cast are Tanya Manalang, Paolo Ocampo/Luis Nieto, Rebecca Coates/Danielle Sanghio, Anton Posadas/Roberto Sison/Justin Sian, Atasha Muhlach/Janina Punzalan/Alessandro Allado, Alida Moberg/Paula Therese Zamesa/Sofia Yabyabin, Alexa Villaroel/Shanti Gleason as the Von Trapp children.

Show runs every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 8pm, 3pm and 8pm on Saturdays, and 3pm on Sundays. Ticket prices are P2,000 for VIP, P1,700 for Premiere, P1,300 for Deluxe, and P1,000 for Balcony, which you may purchase at the Resorts World Manila Box Office and at TicketWorld outlets. You may call up Resorts World at 836-6333/908-8833 and TicketWorld at 811-9999.