Rachelle Ann Go as "Ariel" Discussion + "Part of Your World" Preview

Last week, someone posted in our fan club's Facebook group this audio of Rachelle Ann Go singing "Part of Your World" from Disney's The Little Mermaid which Atlantis Productions will stage later this year.

Some of the responses from the fans are:

1: "For me it is good. Not broadway good but good enough. I won't judge her until I see her perform live. It sounds like she is just singing in Party Pilipinas. But I don't mind listening to pop. I like pop. For now I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt since this is her first. But she better do her best to impress me on the show."

2: "Actually simula palang napapakinggan ko. LOL It sounds so "pop". I assume they haven't rehearsed yet. I hope mag-improve ng bongga."

3: "Poor diction. Seriously. But kulang pa. Seriously, there's something lacking. Emotions. There's nooooooo emotions. No longing for a pair of feet." 

4: "Yeah, it's not that convincing YET. We'll see. She still has a few months! It's kinda airy..."

5: "Does this mean na there's gonna be a recording for the show like in N2N or Xanadu?"

4: "I think so..."

3: "Please, don't!"

I'm posting fan responses because these comments are REAL and has no bias. And because I built this blog for fans, I might as well write with a fan's point of view. We aren't narrow-minded and limit theater for theater actors only. I, myself, is a fan of Nikki Gil's work on stage. Yes, I did have doubts about her as Elle Woods but after seeing her on stage, I am more than excited now to see her as Charity in 9 Works' Sweet Charity. But they shouldn't have released a preview of Rachelle singing a song from the show because it is not polished yet. But still, even without the trust on the leads, we trust the show. It is still The Little Mermaid which starred Sierra Boggess on Broadway and it is still Atlantis Productions that will stage the show, so people will still watch it. And I will watch the show because I am also excited for the Asian puppetry they promised about. 


Still flippin'

blueREP's Little Shop of Horrors: New show dates

In the old days, it was all about selling your soul to the devil for fame and fortune. But ever heard of selling it to an evil, man-eating Venus Flytrap from outer space?

With all the pressures in a fast-paced world obsessed with money and beauty, it isn’t hard to imagine that anyone would do absolutely anything to fulfill their dreams – whether through hard work or Faustian deals. But with the allure of earning fast bucks and becoming overnight sensations, shady businesses have become a lot more common.

Even the honest-to-goodness nice guys aren’t immune to this kind of temptation, and Seymour Krelborn is one of them. He is the protagonist of Little Shop of Horrors, a black comedy musical satirizing old-school sci-fi movies and one of the longest running Off-Broadway shows of all time. This August 2011, the Ateneo Blue Repertory presents Little Shop of Horrors as its 20th season’s premiere.

Since its beginnings in 1991, blueREP has delighted local audiences with shows that celebrate the artistry of the Filipino performer. blueREP has a diverse range of shows under its belt having staged musicals like Pippin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Stages of Love, Bare: A Pop Opera, and Hair.

“For our 20th season, our theme is man's inner struggle, and the clash between the beasts within us and our humanity,” says Ejay Yatco, blueREP’s Artistic Director. “Seymour, the lead character of the play, faces this struggle when he is offered everything he ever wanted but at a great cost. Little Shop of Horrors is the first of three plays this year that will move our audiences to ask the question ‘Who is the man? Who is the Beast?’”

With book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, Little Shop of Horrors is the story of a miserable fellow named Seymour Krelborn, played by Luis Marcelo (Buddy in blueREP’s Freakshow), and his yearning for a better life and a chance at romance with Audrey, the love of his life, played by Maronne Cruz (Woman 2 in blueREP’s Edges, Scaramouche in blueREP’s Rock ‘N Rule). However, after being influenced by a devious plant, brought to life by Tina Ramos (Dionne in blueREP’s Hair, Woman 2 in blueREP’s Edges, Killer Queen in blueREP’s Rock ‘N Rule), Seymour must now choose between what is right and wrong, all for the sake of a little fame, money and glory.

Directed by Toff de Venecia (director of blueREP’s All Shook Up and Freakshow) and Musical Direction by blueREP’s Artistic Director Ejay Yatco (musical director of blueREP’s Edges), blueREP’s Little Shop of Horrors runs from August 10 - 27 at the Fine Arts Theater, Ateneo de Manila University. Tickets are P199 each. Please contact Mica Fajardo at 09178908795 for ticket inquiries and reservations. 

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If you know nothing about this musical, check this video out. Kerry Butler as Audrey and Hunter Foster (Yes, Sutton's brother) as Seymour performing one of the famous songs in the show, "Suddenly Seymour".

"Rules" for Performers

Photo from [link]

 This is a very interesting list of rules for theater workers (specifically, performers). And of course, this all comes with passion. Full article and continuation of list here.


The "rules" follow:

1. I shall never miss a performance. 

2. I shall play every performance with energy, enthusiasm and to the best of my ability regardless of size of audience, personal illness, bad weather, accident, or even death in my family. 

3. I shall forego all social activities which interfere with rehearsals or any other scheduled work at the theatre, and I shall always be on time. 

4. I shall never make a curtain late by my failure to be ready on time. 

5. I shall never miss an entrance. 

6. I shall never leave the theatre building or the stage area until I have completed my performance, unless I am specifically excused by the stage manager; curtain calls are a part of the show. 

7. I shall not let the comments of friends, relatives or critics change any phase of my work without proper consultation; I shall not change lines, business, lights, properties, settings or costumes or any phase of the production without consultation with and permission of my director or producer or their agents, and I shall inform all people concerned. 

8. I shall forego the gratification of my ego for the demands of the play. 

9. I shall remember my business is to create illusion; therefore, I shall not break the illusion by appearing in costume and makeup off-stage or outside the theatre. 

10. I shall accept my director’s and producer’s advice and counsel in the spirit in which it is given, for they can see the production as a whole and my work from the front.