For its fifth anniversary celebration, Upstart Productions Inc. presents a nature-inspired version of a well-loved modern classic: Into The Woods. 

A fairy tale musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, Into The Woods will be presented in Manila in the garden amphitheater known as Kasalikasan, a tree-lined “living art piece” in the heart of BGC. It is one of the few instances of a venue providing the main inspiration for a show. “When we did Forbidden Broadway in Kasalikasan in May 2014, it was a huge success,” explains Joel Trinidad, Upstart founder and director of the piece. “So we started thinking about what other shows we could do here to really take advantage of this beautiful space.” The idea for Into The Woods came almost immediately. “We’ve always loved the musical,” shares Upstart Managing Director Onyl Torres, who does double duty as Vocal Coach for the present production. “So why not do it in the actual woods?”

Besides Noel Trinidad and Rachel Alejandro, another way that this particular production will be unique is in its use of celebrity guests. “We’ll have a different one for each of the eight performances,” shares Torres. “But we won’t tell audiences who is performing when—it’ll be a surprise.” It is a strategy that Upstart has used before and is happy to use again. “When we did it for Forbidden Broadway, no one had ever done it before,” explains Trinidad. “Now, other theatre companies are doing the same thing!”

But after countless actors, countless directors, and countless productions all over the world—including an upcoming Disney movie—does the musical have any surprises left for Manila audiences? Trinidad believes so. “There’s always something new to discover, something new to share,” explains Trinidad. “The material is just that good.”

Upstart Productions Inc., BGC and AVIVA present Into The Woods. 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays from February 21 to March 15, 2015, at Kasalikasan Garden, Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City. Also brought to you by Plana Forma, Picasso, Alex Ruelo of ImagineNation Photography, Citrusnap and Mac. Tickets available from Ticketworld. Call 8919999 for details.

Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly..

This is just a few lines from the timeless hit "Beauty and the Beast" for the Disney animation of the same title. And finally, the Filipino audience will experience hearing the phenomenal song along with the rest of the repertoire this coming January 2015.

Disney Theatrical Productions, NETworks, Broadway Entertainment Group, and Ovation Productions will present the first International Tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in celebration of the production’s 20th anniversary.

The tour will play in markets to include Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. The musical, which will reunite the original Broadway creative, will be seen for the first time in these territories. For Manila, Beauty and the Beast will be handled by veteran concert promoter Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions which is, coincidentally, celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Venue is the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) main theater and dates are in January 2015.

Beauty and the Beast as described by producers “is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.”

The production is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West. It features costume design by Tony Award winning Ann Hould-Ward, lighting design by Natasha Katz, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, sound design by John Petrafesa Jr., and music supervision by Michael Kosarin. There is also music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, a book by Linda Woolverton, and additional songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice.

Beauty and the Beast will run from January 8-25, 2015, 8PM with matinees at 2PM Saturdays and Sundays at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater, CCP Complex. Tickets available starting July 30, 2014! Call Ticketworld at 891-99-99 or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph or Beauty & the Beast hotline: 02 571-8568.

For inquiries and other concerns send  an email to info@beautyandthebeast.com.ph. Be updated! Follow the Broadway musical - Facebook.com/beautyandthebeastph and Twitter.com/BATBph.

It was such a joy for me to watch another musical. The production was amazing, lots of well-known hits, I bet no audience would not recognize even a single song. I sang along with performances/hits like I Love the Nightlife, Boogie Wonderland, It's Raining Men, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, I will Survive and more..

Priscilla Queen of the Desert tells the story of Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever could have dreamed. (from source)

I purchased a seat in the balcony area but it was upgraded to VIP (a big thanks to an HS friend). All the while, the VIP seat is just one of those located in the middle part of the audience. But when I got there to claim my ticket, I was escorted to one of NPAT's VIP boxes. As in "wow"! I have a great view of the view from upstairs and comfortably seated in a lazy chair.

from my IG account..

from my IG account..

Jon Santos, Leo Valdez and ensemble..

Jon Santos, Leo Valdez, Red Concepcion and ensemble..

Jon Santos, Leo Valdez, Red Concepcion and ensemble..

Jon Santos with ensemble..

Jon Santos, Leo Valdez and Red Concepcion..

The cast having a dance party with the audience..

Jon Santos, Leo Valdez, Red Concepcion with ensemble..

The show was fabulous. But it not all singing, partying; the musical has a story.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical opened May 9 and will end July 13.. Personally, I will again watch it definitely.. It's worth it!