June 20, 2005
I'm back!
After more than a week's hiatus, I'm back online. My PC's still out, so I'm back at the Internet cafe. And I've got a long update that I'm too lazy to cut, so I'm apologizing in advance if you have to wade just reading through this entry.
Tuesday, June 14
Meralco night. The first day that we had to go to the theater after work. It was called "Meralco night" because all the DTR was open exclusively to all Meralco employees. In the meantime, Ate Sally, Miss Tinggay and I were at the lobby setting up all the banners and standees of the sponsors. We didn't even bother to watch the show, hahaha. After we were done, we just sat on the long sofas to take a breather then left.
Wednesday, June 15
Press preview night. Our first actual show night. My goodness, it was crazy. Ate Sally, Miss Tinggay and I settled at the lobby and had to juggle and handle all these tickets we had with us, all left by sponsors and artists for their guests to claim. My golly. We didn't have programs or any souvenirs then, so when the show began, we first hung out in the lobby. When I went to the ladies room for a moment, when I came back, both Ate Sally and Miss Tinggay had disappeared. Kuya Boni then said that they both went inside the theater to watch the show. So I followed them inside.
The tavern scene with Gaston had just began when I got inside. Hahaha, it was the first time I saw everyone in full costume, complete with all those character wigs. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw Topper and David donning those black bob wigs from Dreamgirls. But Calvin was hilarious as Gaston. The role really did fit him.
KC played Belle that night, and her approach as the role was pretty different. If the Belle in the Disney cartoon was strong-willed, her Belle was more firm. To quote myself, I called her more matapang in the sense that when the Beast was insisting she dine with him, she was more persistent in her ways.
The "Be Our Guest" scene was pretty cool. But I have to admit, I sort of expected a lot about this show that I wasn't really feeling that "huwaw". But it was good. The plates looked like Vegas showgirls, but it was so amusing how they entered and the plates were all spinning.
I left before Jett's rendition of the Beast's "If I Can't Love Her" to return to my post at the lobby, but I went back inside with Ate Sally and Miss Tinggay after intermission. So I got to watch the entire Act 2, showing how Belle started to have a soft spot for the Beast. I actually liked the "It's pink" dress (hahahaha) that Belle wore for "Something There". And when it was time for "Beauty and the Beast", everyone started anticipating something. When KC entered in that infamous yellow ball gown, I could hear whispers all around. It was a simple waltz, but Pinky's rendition of the song was remarkable.
What I enjoyed the most was "Change In Me", the newest song inserted in the musical. I wish I could borrow Bobby's CD of Susan Egan just for that song. I don't think I want to own just KC's interpretation of it.
Then there was the fight between Gaston and the Beast. They had this flying thing rigged for both Calvin and Jett and I just had to watch carefully how Calvin got lifted because of his huge frame, hahahaha. I was particularly amused at how the audience reacted when the rose's last petal fell. And then of course, the famous transformation. Cherie Gil had once told us that she watched the musical on Broadway and couldn't figure out how the Beast transformed into the Prince when he was just flying and spinning in the air. For this one, from my seat near the back of the orchestra, I could see Jett changing under the cape. It was only the press night, so I guess it was still a bit messy, but it was doable.
But my goodness, his wig as the Prince looked bad. Everyone said so. But who are we to argue with the director?
Thursday, June 16
Opening night. One wrong thing was that we forgot the bell that signals that the show will start in 5 minutes. Rawr. Oh well.
Hmmm... my mind suddenly went blank. What happened on this night? Nothing much, really. We just had to lug all these gift bags to Meralco for all the cast and crew, and then we had other stuff with us, like the T-shirts and mousepads that we were to sell. The souvenir program hadn't come out yet because the printer got delayed, rawr.
Friday, June 17
I didn't really watch the show then, hahaha. During Act 1, we retreated to the cafeteria downstairs with the food we got from one of our sponsors. And I suddenly decided to sample all of the flavors of the drinks Wetzel's Pretzels were selling per day. On opening night it was kiwi strawberry. On this particular day it was bubble gum.
It seemed that we keep pigging out at the lobby, hahahaha! Probably because there was nothing else to do.
Oh yeah, the souvenir programs had arrived, but the printer got it all wrong, rawr. But we still got to sell a whole bunch though. But we still need to have those programs fixed.
Saturday, June 18
The first day of the run where we have 2 shows. It was also Karel's first show during the matinee (KC had performed in the previous shows). I listened to her sing while I was just sitting in the lobby, then peered in the theater for a while, and ended up staying, hahaha. I got to see the scene with Belle and Gaston in "Me" until a few bars of "If I Can't Love Her".
Hmmm... after that show, I didn't really want to compare the two girls who played Belle. KC has some strong points and Karel has her own. And they both have different approaches to the character. And then there was that review in the paper, saying that KC and Jett didn't have chemistry. Hahaha, figures. Heck, both girls are half his age!
Then there are the usual people that give trouble during shows. People insisting to let their kids in even when they're below the age limit. I'm sorry, people, but for this show, we don't allow kids under 5 years old, OK? Don't give any excuses like the kid can understand it already or they're well behaved. We're just following rules. Actually, the Meralco theater only allows kids 7 and above, but we asked to lower it to 5, so don't push your luck. Some kids can get frightened of the Beast, hahaha. Like Bobby's little nephew who got to check out a rehearsal.
Plus there was this one foreigner guy who gave one of the ushers a lot of trouble, first during Act 1, and made another scene at the end of Act 1. Holy kamote. Hassle. So we all told ourselves to expect the unexpected.
Sunday, June 19
Boy, was I relieved it was just a matinee show yesterday. But of course, expect the unexpected. At the very beginning, this little girl suddenly started screaming and crying even before she entered the theater. So there, people, this is one reason why we don't allow kids below the age limit or even close to the age limit. This girl is already 5 years old, and she got scared of the Beast even before she saw it. Her dad ended up staying in the lobby during all of Act 1 trying to calm her down.
Anyway.
The cast and crew get a day off from today until Sunday. I have to work 7 days a week. But at least there's overtime pay to look forward to, hahaha.
I gotta go for now. Time to wrap up and go home to get some sleep.
Tuesday, June 14
Meralco night. The first day that we had to go to the theater after work. It was called "Meralco night" because all the DTR was open exclusively to all Meralco employees. In the meantime, Ate Sally, Miss Tinggay and I were at the lobby setting up all the banners and standees of the sponsors. We didn't even bother to watch the show, hahaha. After we were done, we just sat on the long sofas to take a breather then left.
Wednesday, June 15
Press preview night. Our first actual show night. My goodness, it was crazy. Ate Sally, Miss Tinggay and I settled at the lobby and had to juggle and handle all these tickets we had with us, all left by sponsors and artists for their guests to claim. My golly. We didn't have programs or any souvenirs then, so when the show began, we first hung out in the lobby. When I went to the ladies room for a moment, when I came back, both Ate Sally and Miss Tinggay had disappeared. Kuya Boni then said that they both went inside the theater to watch the show. So I followed them inside.
The tavern scene with Gaston had just began when I got inside. Hahaha, it was the first time I saw everyone in full costume, complete with all those character wigs. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw Topper and David donning those black bob wigs from Dreamgirls. But Calvin was hilarious as Gaston. The role really did fit him.
KC played Belle that night, and her approach as the role was pretty different. If the Belle in the Disney cartoon was strong-willed, her Belle was more firm. To quote myself, I called her more matapang in the sense that when the Beast was insisting she dine with him, she was more persistent in her ways.
The "Be Our Guest" scene was pretty cool. But I have to admit, I sort of expected a lot about this show that I wasn't really feeling that "huwaw". But it was good. The plates looked like Vegas showgirls, but it was so amusing how they entered and the plates were all spinning.
I left before Jett's rendition of the Beast's "If I Can't Love Her" to return to my post at the lobby, but I went back inside with Ate Sally and Miss Tinggay after intermission. So I got to watch the entire Act 2, showing how Belle started to have a soft spot for the Beast. I actually liked the "It's pink" dress (hahahaha) that Belle wore for "Something There". And when it was time for "Beauty and the Beast", everyone started anticipating something. When KC entered in that infamous yellow ball gown, I could hear whispers all around. It was a simple waltz, but Pinky's rendition of the song was remarkable.
What I enjoyed the most was "Change In Me", the newest song inserted in the musical. I wish I could borrow Bobby's CD of Susan Egan just for that song. I don't think I want to own just KC's interpretation of it.
Then there was the fight between Gaston and the Beast. They had this flying thing rigged for both Calvin and Jett and I just had to watch carefully how Calvin got lifted because of his huge frame, hahahaha. I was particularly amused at how the audience reacted when the rose's last petal fell. And then of course, the famous transformation. Cherie Gil had once told us that she watched the musical on Broadway and couldn't figure out how the Beast transformed into the Prince when he was just flying and spinning in the air. For this one, from my seat near the back of the orchestra, I could see Jett changing under the cape. It was only the press night, so I guess it was still a bit messy, but it was doable.
But my goodness, his wig as the Prince looked bad. Everyone said so. But who are we to argue with the director?
Thursday, June 16
Opening night. One wrong thing was that we forgot the bell that signals that the show will start in 5 minutes. Rawr. Oh well.
Hmmm... my mind suddenly went blank. What happened on this night? Nothing much, really. We just had to lug all these gift bags to Meralco for all the cast and crew, and then we had other stuff with us, like the T-shirts and mousepads that we were to sell. The souvenir program hadn't come out yet because the printer got delayed, rawr.
Friday, June 17
I didn't really watch the show then, hahaha. During Act 1, we retreated to the cafeteria downstairs with the food we got from one of our sponsors. And I suddenly decided to sample all of the flavors of the drinks Wetzel's Pretzels were selling per day. On opening night it was kiwi strawberry. On this particular day it was bubble gum.
It seemed that we keep pigging out at the lobby, hahahaha! Probably because there was nothing else to do.
Oh yeah, the souvenir programs had arrived, but the printer got it all wrong, rawr. But we still got to sell a whole bunch though. But we still need to have those programs fixed.
Saturday, June 18
The first day of the run where we have 2 shows. It was also Karel's first show during the matinee (KC had performed in the previous shows). I listened to her sing while I was just sitting in the lobby, then peered in the theater for a while, and ended up staying, hahaha. I got to see the scene with Belle and Gaston in "Me" until a few bars of "If I Can't Love Her".
Hmmm... after that show, I didn't really want to compare the two girls who played Belle. KC has some strong points and Karel has her own. And they both have different approaches to the character. And then there was that review in the paper, saying that KC and Jett didn't have chemistry. Hahaha, figures. Heck, both girls are half his age!
Then there are the usual people that give trouble during shows. People insisting to let their kids in even when they're below the age limit. I'm sorry, people, but for this show, we don't allow kids under 5 years old, OK? Don't give any excuses like the kid can understand it already or they're well behaved. We're just following rules. Actually, the Meralco theater only allows kids 7 and above, but we asked to lower it to 5, so don't push your luck. Some kids can get frightened of the Beast, hahaha. Like Bobby's little nephew who got to check out a rehearsal.
Plus there was this one foreigner guy who gave one of the ushers a lot of trouble, first during Act 1, and made another scene at the end of Act 1. Holy kamote. Hassle. So we all told ourselves to expect the unexpected.
Sunday, June 19
Boy, was I relieved it was just a matinee show yesterday. But of course, expect the unexpected. At the very beginning, this little girl suddenly started screaming and crying even before she entered the theater. So there, people, this is one reason why we don't allow kids below the age limit or even close to the age limit. This girl is already 5 years old, and she got scared of the Beast even before she saw it. Her dad ended up staying in the lobby during all of Act 1 trying to calm her down.
Anyway.
The cast and crew get a day off from today until Sunday. I have to work 7 days a week. But at least there's overtime pay to look forward to, hahaha.
I gotta go for now. Time to wrap up and go home to get some sleep.
Posted by tymeless on June 20, 2005 at 08:54 PM | 3 director's note(s)
Anonymous (guest)
tin (guest)
i'm enjoying reading your entry. =)
Brenden (guest)
