haraya
27th Nov '08 Thu, 00:28
After being a huge fan of John Waters' 1988 Hairspray flick starring Ricki Lake and Divine as Tracy and Edna Turnblad respectively, absolutely adoring Adam Shankman's 2007 version starring Nikki Blonsky and Zac Efron with renowned co-stars James Marsden, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Allison Janney, Christopher Walken and John Travolta (I was inside the movie house from noon until the last full show [the film runs for almost 2 hours, so I guess at that moment I've seen it 8 times in one sitting and I've memorized most of the songs afterwards]) and repetitively watching Hairspray Broadway clips from brunitos93 in YouTube, I am happy to announce that finally, I have seen the real thing. Finally, I have seen Hairspray LIVE!
Hairspray Manila is by Atlantis Productions, directed by Mr. Bobby Garcia, music directed by Mr. Archie Castillo and choreographed by Ms. Cecile Martinez.
Tracy Turnblad (played by Madel Ching) is undeniably cute and highly energetic! She's just so much fun to watch and I enjoyed almost all of her scenes. She delivers with such enthusiasm and vivacity that it would be really hard not to like her performances. Her opening number, Good Morning Baltimore, won't exactly blow your mind but it will give you such a happy feeling that you'll end up with your mind blown anyway! Excellent. Am simply envious!
Link Larkin (played by Tim Espinosa) is a superb dancer. Everytime he dances, it's like he's giving 200% of his everything. His energy is all over the place! Also, he reminded me of someone I used to have a crush on. (I know, so what, right? Haha.) I was very much eager to see his solo act (It Takes Two) to measure his singing prowess but 'lo and behold! He was off! Frankly, I was really disappointed with his singing. To me, he wasn't vocally competent. I was waiting for that "kilig" feeling because hey, you're being serenaded by no other than Link Larkin, the hottest star on the Corny Collins Show! But there's no "kilig", just this intense feeling of worrying of whether he'll be able to make it until the end of the song. Overall, he's okay. Not my Link, but okay.
Penny Lou Pingleton (played by Monica Reynoso) is extremely funny! Everytime she's there, she stands out! Her quirkiness is infectious. She's the cutest dork ever! I just love Penny's interactions with Seaweed Stubbs (played by Nyoy Volante). They're good together. Nyoy as Seaweed is a revelation. I didn't know that he's an extremely good dancer! But first time watchers would be a bit confused because Seaweed is supposed to be a black teenage boy but on stage, he's a normal moreno guy. Amber Von Tussle (played by Christine Allado), the beyotch in Tracy's life, is really fantastic. Her moments are all laugh-out-loud funny! I especially love it when she says "Link, come!" I can't describe it.
Just go and watch!
Mrs. Edna Turnblad (played by Mr. Michael de Mesa) is a joy on stage! Mr. de Mesa was all dolled-up and he looked really pretty even with a fatsuit! There's no trace of masculinity, even the tips of his fingers are acting very womanly. The best part is when he hits those very (and I mean VERY) low notes in some of his lines and songs. Edna's husband Wilbur (played by Mr. Leo Rialp) gave a marvelous performance as the weird, funny and loving head of the Turnblad household. Anyone would want him as a father. Edna and Wilbur's duet ((You're) Timeless to Me) is a delightful performance which really showed the couple still being madly in love with each other despite aging and the changing times.
Sweet sweet sweet.
My two favorite characters in this play are Mrs. Velma Von Tussle (played by Ms. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo) and Motormouth Maybelle (played by Ms. Dulce). Wow, I can't even think of words to describe how they fit the roles perfectly. Just amazing. Amazing! Amazing vocals, amazing acting, amazing performance. Everytime they sing, you'll get goosebumps. The best performances are from them namely Velma's Miss Baltimore Crabs and Motormouth's I Know Where I've Been (this one made me all teary).
I. Love. Them.
Corny Collins (played by Roel Rayos), impeccable vocals. He just sounds so good. No wonder he's the host of the popular Baltimore teen show. Together with the "Nicest Kids in Town" (Amber, Brad, Tammy, Fender, Brenda, Sketch, Shelley, IQ,
Lou Anne and Link), the Corny Collins Show sure is a blast.
The musical is visually orgasmic. The set is filled with vibrant colors, patterns, props and costumes that will take you directly in Baltimore '62.
So everyone, if you want to experience the 60's for two hours (complete with the wild fashion and wilder hair), I suggest you visit TicketWorld and grab a ticket (NOW!). It's absolutely worth it.
You'll leave the theatre with a huge grin plastered on your face. Am planning to watch it again. I can hear the bells.
Hee.
Hairspray Manila is by Atlantis Productions, directed by Mr. Bobby Garcia, music directed by Mr. Archie Castillo and choreographed by Ms. Cecile Martinez.
Tracy Turnblad (played by Madel Ching) is undeniably cute and highly energetic! She's just so much fun to watch and I enjoyed almost all of her scenes. She delivers with such enthusiasm and vivacity that it would be really hard not to like her performances. Her opening number, Good Morning Baltimore, won't exactly blow your mind but it will give you such a happy feeling that you'll end up with your mind blown anyway! Excellent. Am simply envious!
Link Larkin (played by Tim Espinosa) is a superb dancer. Everytime he dances, it's like he's giving 200% of his everything. His energy is all over the place! Also, he reminded me of someone I used to have a crush on. (I know, so what, right? Haha.) I was very much eager to see his solo act (It Takes Two) to measure his singing prowess but 'lo and behold! He was off! Frankly, I was really disappointed with his singing. To me, he wasn't vocally competent. I was waiting for that "kilig" feeling because hey, you're being serenaded by no other than Link Larkin, the hottest star on the Corny Collins Show! But there's no "kilig", just this intense feeling of worrying of whether he'll be able to make it until the end of the song. Overall, he's okay. Not my Link, but okay.
Penny Lou Pingleton (played by Monica Reynoso) is extremely funny! Everytime she's there, she stands out! Her quirkiness is infectious. She's the cutest dork ever! I just love Penny's interactions with Seaweed Stubbs (played by Nyoy Volante). They're good together. Nyoy as Seaweed is a revelation. I didn't know that he's an extremely good dancer! But first time watchers would be a bit confused because Seaweed is supposed to be a black teenage boy but on stage, he's a normal moreno guy. Amber Von Tussle (played by Christine Allado), the beyotch in Tracy's life, is really fantastic. Her moments are all laugh-out-loud funny! I especially love it when she says "Link, come!" I can't describe it.
Just go and watch!
Mrs. Edna Turnblad (played by Mr. Michael de Mesa) is a joy on stage! Mr. de Mesa was all dolled-up and he looked really pretty even with a fatsuit! There's no trace of masculinity, even the tips of his fingers are acting very womanly. The best part is when he hits those very (and I mean VERY) low notes in some of his lines and songs. Edna's husband Wilbur (played by Mr. Leo Rialp) gave a marvelous performance as the weird, funny and loving head of the Turnblad household. Anyone would want him as a father. Edna and Wilbur's duet ((You're) Timeless to Me) is a delightful performance which really showed the couple still being madly in love with each other despite aging and the changing times.
Sweet sweet sweet.
My two favorite characters in this play are Mrs. Velma Von Tussle (played by Ms. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo) and Motormouth Maybelle (played by Ms. Dulce). Wow, I can't even think of words to describe how they fit the roles perfectly. Just amazing. Amazing! Amazing vocals, amazing acting, amazing performance. Everytime they sing, you'll get goosebumps. The best performances are from them namely Velma's Miss Baltimore Crabs and Motormouth's I Know Where I've Been (this one made me all teary).
I. Love. Them.
Corny Collins (played by Roel Rayos), impeccable vocals. He just sounds so good. No wonder he's the host of the popular Baltimore teen show. Together with the "Nicest Kids in Town" (Amber, Brad, Tammy, Fender, Brenda, Sketch, Shelley, IQ,
Lou Anne and Link), the Corny Collins Show sure is a blast.
The musical is visually orgasmic. The set is filled with vibrant colors, patterns, props and costumes that will take you directly in Baltimore '62.
So everyone, if you want to experience the 60's for two hours (complete with the wild fashion and wilder hair), I suggest you visit TicketWorld and grab a ticket (NOW!). It's absolutely worth it.
You'll leave the theatre with a huge grin plastered on your face. Am planning to watch it again. I can hear the bells.
Hee.