The Wheel and Axle

Music & Theater

Let’s Rak Again

by on Jul.19, 2019, under Music & Theater, Society

I can never get enough of Rak of Aegis. Recently, Season 7 opened, and of course I had to see it again (third time, the most recent being last year).

What I love about Rak is that – like many original Filipino musicals like Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Ako Si Josephine, and Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady – every run adds new spins. Updated jokes that reference current events and pop culture memes are inserted, making each run feel fresh again while retaining everything that made the show successful.

Rak of Aegis Season 7 is such an experience. On top of small reinventions, new cast members are placed into the mix, giving returning audiences the opportunity to see different interpretations of classics.

And so it goes that we once again experience the travails of Bgy. Venizia, which gets flooded for months after a the construction of a gated community nearby prevented proper drainage. Against this backdrop and the backdrop of a social media age where virality is the way to fame, the community’s diverse array of residents struggle to cope with poverty, love, friendship, and ambition. (continue reading…)

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Derrick surrenders.

by on May.22, 2018, under Film & TV, Music & Theater, My Life

It’s no secret to folks around me that I’m a huge fan of Derrick Monasterio. Ever since The Road and through to Mulawin vs. Ravena, I’ve always thought he had the potential of a very good actor.

So far, he hasn’t disappointed – and like I said before, I see him as a triple threat: a rarity in show business, especially local. Despite Filipino expectations that their matinee idols be capable of singing, dancing, and acting, there are really very few who can actually do all three very well. Derrick, in my opinion, is one of those rare gems.

Well, he certainly hit the right notes again last Friday night in the sequel to the 2016 Oh Boy! concert, this time called Oh, Boy! Oh, LOL.

(continue reading…)

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Luke at him belt out.

by on Dec.28, 2017, under Film & TV, Geeky, Music & Theater, Snark

One of the most hilarious things I’ve seen recently is this clip. Seriously, I just guffawed out loud. Happy Thursday!

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Singing with Idina

by on Dec.27, 2017, under Film & TV, Music & Theater

One of my big regrets was missing Idina Menzel live in Manila a couple of year ago. I think I had a conflicting show to watch then, ticket already bought, when I learned she was coming. Seeing this clip now makes me regret it even more, but it also made me smile (in both joy and envy).

It’s quite a dream come true to sing live onstage with the Idina Menzel. Wow.

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O Holy Night

by on Dec.24, 2017, under Music & Theater, Society

It’s the eve of Christmas, and let’s always remember what it’s truly about.

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Here We Go Again

by on Dec.23, 2017, under Film & TV, Music & Theater, Queer

So. Much. Feels.

And… Cher!

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Crossing Broadway

by on Dec.21, 2017, under Film & TV, Music & Theater, Queer

They could probably stage an entire production of The Lion King if they did this on EDSA or C5. I’d watch that, TBH.

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Funny Money

by on Dec.08, 2017, under Music & Theater, Society

Tanghalang Pilipino closes out the year with the hilarious yet educational Christmas-themed play Lukot-Lukot, Bilog-Bilog, written by Eljay Castro Deldoc and directed by Abner Delina, Jr.

The title is a reference to money, with lukot-lukot referring to “crumpled” (paper bills, that is) and bilog-bilog referring to round (coins, to be exact). It is an interactive staging that seeks to provide some financial literacy to the audience while at the same time ensuring an enjoyable time for all. I went to the Press Night last weekend not knowing what to expect (especially since I just came from watching Matilda in Meralco Theater a couple of hours prior), and despite my preconceived notions about a “financial literacy comedy,” I came out very happy.

(continue reading…)

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When Children Revolt, Part 2

by on Dec.07, 2017, under Literature, Music & Theater

Continued From:

When Children Revolt, Part 1

The cast of the Atlantis production of Matilda is superb. There are three alternates who play Matilda, and I watched Uma Naomi Martin (the other two are Esang De Torres and Felicity Kyle Napuli). Uma is a talented child who superbly portrays the strengths and vulnerabilities of the lead character so that the audience truly roots for her. The best compliment to her capability is when the audience – half of which are schoolkids who likely identify with Matilda – clapped and cheered loudlt during the climactic moment when she finally put Trunchbull in her place. The children approve.

Cris Villonco is Miss Honey, and she captures the sweetness and compassion of the character to the hilt. In the hands of a lesser actress, the character of Miss Honey could have been a one-note pollayana, but Cris imbues the role with sufficient three dimensionality to make her well-realized and truly human in a world of satiric caricatures.

(continue reading…)

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When Children Revolt, Part 1

by on Dec.06, 2017, under Literature, Music & Theater

Children, especially in hordes, can be a rowdy bunch. This is just a reality of life. However, they can also be an amazing group of smart and endearing young people who can, on occasion, prove to be wiser and more mature than all the clueless and insensitive adults around them.

This is made quite apparent by Roald Dahl’s Matilda, a story about a precocious little girl – abused and unwanted by her own family – who finds empowerment (literally and figuratively) as she makes friends in a school run by a horrific headmistress.

The tale of Matilda Wormwood has been adapted for both screen and stage, and Atlantis Productions is currently doing the musical in Meralco Theater. And quite a production it is.

I came into Matilda with zero expectations. Though I’m superficially familiar with the basics, I’ve never read the book nor have I watched the critically-acclaimed film. I know almost nothing about the musical adaptation. However, one of my friends – even more of a theater enthusiast than me – watched it and said it was great. He was willing to see it with me again.

(continue reading…)

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