♪♫ DO-RE-MI ♪♫

I was quickly browsing my Facebook this morning when I randomly hopped upon Flights "R" Us Travel and Tours page.  They are selling discounted tickets for The Sound of Music Manila, which is currently being played at the Resorts World Manila.  I checked out the poster and among the names I recognized were Chris Villonco, Audie Gemora, Pinky Amador, Pinky Marquez, and Debra Liz.  The ticket prices seem to be very reasonable (VIP for PhP2000 - original price).  I mean, if I remember it right, the F4 in Manila ticket prices were sold for more than PhP2000, and yet a lot still came to the concert to listen to Dao Ming Xi and his gang's songs with lyrics that Filipinos couldn't even properly pronounce.  So, if you think about it, PhP2000 is very much worth it to spend in support of the local artists, right?  Your LSS (last song syndrome) will at least either be "Doe a deer a female deer..." or "When the dog bites, when the bee stings..." and not "Oh baby, baby, My baby baby, Wo jue bu neng shi qu ni..."  LOL.  

Speaking of The Sound of Music, two years ago, Vince and I watched the Canadian production at The Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. As part of his birthday treat to me, Vince bought us tickets to the said musical.  The role of Maria was chosen by the public through a television talent show, "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" which was co-produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The lead role went to Elicia Mackenzie, but it was her alternate, Janna Polzin, who Vince and I saw performed.  Overall, the production was fabulous - the actors/actresses were great, and the props/set were amazing. I've seen the movie and the cartoon version a lot of times but never really saw it in theatre until then.

Early this year, Vince and I saw another musical called, "In The Heights" at the Hershey Theatre. Interestingly, I read in Wikipedia that there had also been a Filipino production of this award winning musical, and casted Nyoy Violante for the lead role, Usnavi. Apparently, it ran for a limited engagement from September 02 to 18, 2011 but will return to Manila in March 2012.  The story revolved around the characters' lives in the New York City Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights, Manhattan.  The play featured Hispanic culture particularly the importance of family and friends expressed through lively Latino music and grooves in a modern Western setting.  Considering how the Spaniards contributed greatly to traditional Filipino values, I'm pretty sure that Filipinos would be able to relate well with "In The Heights."

Musical plays and theatrical shows are very entertaining forms of arts.  I think every once in a while it's good to have a break from the boob tube and reels and indulge yourself into pure talent without the cheese of showbiz ;)  And for the record, I just want to make it clear that I have nothing against F4; in fact, I think Vaness is the cutest of them all, because he can speak English and he had a Filipina teacher.  Hehe!

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