I just want to share to you guys this wonderful article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer's Backstory by Lea Salonga. This is behalf of my irritation.
Backstory: Etiquette for theatergoers
By Lea Salonga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:15:00 12/15/2010
I ORIGINALLY intended to write about last Saturday’s performance of Repertory Philippines’ production of “Little Women.”
I will still devote space at the end of this column to give my opinion on the musical play—but I believe I should first relate an unpleasant experience as a member of the audience.
Inconsiderate
Upon seeing that the crowd was composed mostly of teenagers (many of them sporting their school uniforms), I thought that they would be a little more animated as compared to their adult counterparts who normally watch plays at night.
Turned out that the teeners were rude, inconsiderate, sometimes apathetic and completely disrespectful of: 1) the actors on stage (whom I saw were working very hard to remain focused and invested in their respective characters); 2) the orchestra in the pit (working just as hard, if not more so, given how close they were to the audience); and 3) the more regular theatergoers who just wanted to sit back and enjoy a quality show.
‘White noise’
There was audible “white noise” from start to finish: more than just a few plastic wrappers crinkling; conversations and commentary that drowned out the volume of the onstage action; kids going up and down the aisles during the more quiet monologues; and that annoying “Uyyyyyy!” whenever one of the male actors approached/embraced/kissed his partner.
In “Little Women,” it happened quite a few times—with the characters Meg March and John Brooke, Jo March and Laurie Laurence, Amy March and Laurie Laurence.
There was actually a group of uniformed colegialas at a previous performance that let out a blood-curdling “Nooo!” when Laurie and Amy announced their engagement. Halata bang hindi ninyo binasa yung libro, o pinanood yung pelikula man lang?
I wanted to cry—but not in a good way. I got a sore neck from turning around to shush the people behind me.
Bright spot
The one bright spot? Only one cell phone ringing. Hey, I’ll take progress wherever I can get it.
I wondered if the teachers or school advisers gave their kids a little lecture on basic theater etiquette. It seemed not. Or if that lecture was given, no one was listening.
Theater etiquette has nothing to do with being stodgy, emotionless robots, but everything to do with mutual respect.
You can laugh, you can cry, you can be as “in the moment” as the actors are. The guidelines are just there to make sure that everyone’s experience at the theater would be a wonderful one.
Quiet, please!
Allow me, therefore, to share a few pieces of etiquette advice:
Turn off your cell phone. Not only could your “Forget You” ring tone be distracting to the actors, it could also be annoying to your fellow patrons.
Unwrap your candy before the show begins. If you insist on bringing a lozenge or some candy to a show, please take it out of the noisy plastic wrapper already.
Please be quiet, to allow those around you to hear what’s going on. Trust me, sharing the news of your classmate’s sister’s cousin’s breakup with the school hunk/basketball team captain/student body president can wait.
No cameras. Any kind of photography—with or without a flash—is distracting, as well as a violation of copyright laws (not to mention, some shows contain nudity … taking photos then would be just plain rude). Please put your cameras away. The actors would be more than happy to pose for a pic after the performance, once they’re in street clothes. You’ll do yourself a favor by just focusing on the show.
Unless you really have to leave, stay put. You can get up and go if you: have the most urgent need to use the potty; are an on-call doctor whose patient needs you; or are feeling very poorly and need immediate medical attention. If you don’t fall in any of those categories, please remain seated.
This is not a cinema. There are live flesh-and-blood people up there on stage giving a piece of themselves, their very souls for you. Please watch and listen. If you’re lucky, your soul will, in turn, be touched. Caisa Borromeo as Jo March gave, in Inquirer theater critic Gibbs Cadiz’s words, “an astonishing performance, a true star turn in every sense of the word.”
Beautiful voices
Now, about “Little Women.” On point direction by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, beautiful set design by Joey Mendoza, gorgeous costumes and set execution by Tuxqs Rutaquio, a talented and beautiful-voiced ensemble of actors (standouts are Caisa, Cara Barredo as Beth March, Pinky Marquez as Marmee March, Joy Virata as Aunt March and Jeff Arcilla as Professor Bhaer), a sublime orchestra in FILharmoniKA led by Gerard Salonga and, thank God, no trouble with the sound system!
Congratulations to Repertory Philippines on a great run!
There, there from Lea Salonga herself.
12/16/2010
12/12/2010
2010 Theater Scene Recap
Here is the list of the musicals I watched this year. Click title for its corresponding review.
- 9 Works Theatrical's Rent
- Atlantis Production's Avenue Q: The Repeat
- Atlantis Production's Legally Blonde : The Musical
- Lunchbox Production's Cats: Now and Forever
- Atlantis Production's Xanadu
- Atlantis Production's A Little Night Music
- 9 Works Theatrical's The Wedding Singer
- Repertory Philippines' Little Women
12/11/2010
Off to Massachusetts.
Caisa Borromeo as Jo March and Cara Barredo as Beth March in a touching scene--"Some things are meant to be". |
This musical by Repertory Philippines maybe the highlight of the year. With the perfect play, perfect cast, perfect music—could any get better than this? I was in awe from the overture to its finale (pun intended). It’s like watching on Broadway already (Not that I’ve been to Broadway), it’s perfect—just perfect.
Caisa Borromeo is the Sutton Foster of the Philippines. Every song, every line is full of Jo March in it. She is perfect for the role. Her “Astonishing” that night might have little flaws, but her powerful notes made it unnoticeable. She portrays the tomboyish and determined Jo perfectly—astonishingly.
Playing the bratty Amy is Kelly Lati. I didn’t get to watch her in “Spring Awakening”, so I have no idea how she sings, or how good or bad she is—but, I did love her in Little Women. The way she speaks is so Amy March. And I hated Amy so much that I want to give her a punch in the face—but, that just proves how good and accurate Kelly is.
Cara Barredo played Beth, my favorite March sister. Whenever Cara smirks, she reminded me of Kristin Chenoweth. And of course, she played the sweet Beth perfectly. For the record, this is the first time I cried inside a theater—and that is her and Caisa’s “Some Things Are Meant to Be”. According to my friend Dianne, she already wanted to bawl in tears, and I want to go onstage and give Beth a hug and cry with them—it just stroke me, it’s too painful. And Cara has an awesome voice, mind you. Cara Barredo, you are my favorite already.
And the last March sister—Meg, played by Lora Nicolas. Meg might be the one with the least storyline—she had one at the beginning and that’s it. Meg is very reserved, and Lora Nicolas’ portrayal of her is just right.
Pinky Marquez played Marmee March. Wow. Her voice is like Patti LuPone mixed with Julie Andrews and etcetera, etcetera. Her and Caisa’s scenes are heartbreaking.
The set, the costumes are perfect as well. The costumes are very detailed and looks timely, I especially loved Amy’s and Aunt March’s. The set was minimal but it made the musical more intimate. And the direction by THE Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo—do I have to describe it? It’s perfect.
Too bad, by the time you’re reading this, you only have 2 shows to catch and miss this wonderful musical. I doubt that there’ll be a repeat. Maybe 5 to 10 years from now, but with a different cast.
Astonishing.
12/04/2010
Atlantis Productions' "Next to Normal"-- the cast is now complete.
Jake Macapagal as Dr. Fine/Madden, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Diana, Felix Rivera as Gabe, Bea Garcia as Natalie, Jett Pangan as Dan, Markki Stroem as Henry. |
And the cast is complete! Atlantis Productions have announced Jake Macapagal (Count Malcolm in Atlantis' A Little Night Music) is playing Dr. Fine/Madden! I knew it! My psychic powers did well again. I can't clearly see Dr. Fine/Madden in him when I watched ALNM because of that hideous beard. But when I auditioned for him in BlueRep's Hair, I had a feeling he's playing the role. All the best, Direk Jake!
Anyway, if you want to watch the show on March 19, 8 PM, you can buy from Bea Garcia (Natalie) or Felix Rivera (Gabe). I'll post the details soon.
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