RENT Musical, Manila (Feb. 07, 2010): 2009

HUGE RESPONSE TO ‘RENT’ OPEN CALL

By TOOTS O. TOLENTINO 11 NOVEMBER 2009
MANILA --- More than 300 would-be stars mobbed open-call auditions last October 16, 17 and 18 at the headquarters of the Philippine Opera Company’s “La Boheme” rehearsal hall in San Lorenzo Village, Makati City for the Broadway musical hit Rent.

The... line of would-be Renters ran up to the garden and the street outside….. Ages ranged from 17 to mid 40s. A motley group ---- students, professionals of various business disciplines …. Others dangled with their resumés full of theatre experiences while the vast majority simply wanted to try their luck….. come what may!

They carried guitars, music notes, scribbled lyrics on small pieces of paper but only to be told to drop it on the floor…. Lots of mineral water and cigarettes were a sight at the lawn. Some were sleeping, some were sitting, some were jumping up and down apparently trying to "get loose." Looks and styles ranged from men with attitude or for that matter, with no “X” factor at all….. and the ladies came in different sizes and shapes with or without make-up subtly to inject the ‘rock’-feel in them… imagine long stringy hair, halter tops, woven braids, knee-high boots, blue nail polish, pierced everything and tattoos.

"I was expecting a lot of people, but didn't really believe it until I saw it with my own eyes... when I came out at the main lobby I really felt their intensity and how much they all wanted to be a part of RENT..." marveled Robbie Guevara, director for the Tony Award-winning musical.
Each one of them were given their magical moment to sing two pop rock song of various tempos. And at unannounced instances, some were told to sing a cappella their favorite song be it an OPM or otherwise.

It was a ‘no-no’ to sing a song from the musical or any other musical theatre piece. Everyone was encouraged to leave their head shots and resumés just in case something came up in the future.

From these three days and a total of 302 auditionees, ‘callback sessions’ were held Oct. 26, 29 and November 4 to further streamline the 78 top listers.

The audition panel was composed of Robbie Guevara who shall direct the rock musical; Santi Santamaria, Executive Producer; Toots Tolentino, PR/Publicist; Ceejay Javier, Musical Director; and Lionel Guico, Vocal Consultant.

The two-tiered audition process: the first based on looks, the second based on sound.

Jonjon Martin, the audition master passed down the line from the audition panel, encouraging people to "hang" despite the wait. PR man Toots Tolentino would sneak out of the room to holler and remind the callback audtionees to take that day seriously by trying to ‘sink into the roles’ they are eyeing for. Choreographer Charles Thompson, assisted by Julie Reyes, was commandeering a tango suite for those gunning for Mark and Joanne, and an upbeat song for the Angel and Mimi wannabees. Those who made it further to the callback were also videotaped.

Inside, the room was more intense as each one was encouraged by director Robbie Guevara to deliver their own version of the song not just by “simply singing the song” but by “singing it from the heart”.

And those who did eventually made it to the final 16 as the cast of RENT.

READ ON…..

ROBBIE GUEVARA DIRECTS RENT, CAST ANNOUNCED

Robbie Guevara directs RENT, the East Village-set 1990's musical that will run this coming February 2010 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Santi Santamaria, 9 Works Theatrical’s Executive Producer in a statement said, "Rent is set in New York City's gritty East Village, and this revolutionary rock musical is an imaginative retelling of the classic Puccini opera, La Boheme. This unforgettable and timeless story of a group of starving artists, who, despite poverty and illness, learn to fall in love and find their voices, brings a universal message of hope for everyone. We're thrilled to bring this important piece of Broadway musical theatre to the local Filipino community."

Gian Magdangal leads the cast as songwriter Roger Davis, with Fred Lo as filmmaker Mark and Nicole Laurel Asensio as dancer Mimi. Cara Barredo will also perform Mimi at certain performances.

The cast will also feature OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson, Noel Rayos as Benny, Job Bautista as Angel Schunard and Jenny Villegas as Joanne.
Ensemble members include Gugi Lorenzana, Johann Dela Fuente, Raul Montesa, Gary Junsay, Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano and Anna Santamaria.

The Rent creative team also includes Musical Director Ceejay Javier, Vocal Coach Onyl Torres, Vocal Consultant Lionel Guico, Scenographer Mio Infante, Production Manager Weng Lopez, Technical Director and Lighting Designer Dong Calingacion, Sound Designer Rards Corpuz, Publicity Director Toots Tolentino, PR Manager Jonjon Martin, Marketing Manager Shelyn Tayanes, and Stage Manager Jojo Amboy.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize, Rent with Book, Music and Lyrics by the late Jonathan Larson, has made a lasting mark on Broadway with songs that rock and a story that really resonates.

Whether it's your 1st time or your 100th time, the time is now for RENT!

RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) 421 West 54th Street, New York, New York 10019 Tel.: (212) 541-4684 • www.mtishows.com

TICKET PRICES:

Orchestra Center - 1700
Orchestra Side - 1600
Loge Center - 1400
Loge Sides - 1100
Balcony - 800

Help spread this exciting news and get your tickets now! NO DAY BUT TODAY!!!

RESERVATION POLICY:

We are accepting reservations for Rent this coming Feb 7, 2010.

- Any reservations made in 2009 will be held only until Dec 31, 2009. Reservations made after Jan 1, 2010 onwards will be held for a maximum of one week.

- Payment details for bank deposits will be provided upon reservation. Contact us for details.

- Email a copy of the deposit slip to rentbroadwaymanila@gmail.com with your name and reserved seat number to confirm your payment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Mobile: 0917-8394314 (JD), 0917-5354711 (Wendi)
E-mail: rentbroadwaymanila@gmail.com
Website: http://rentbroadwaymanila.blogspot.com

Seat Plan : http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApQTNyYisHONdHJEOWR4aHlWQTEwTmMzMU1aU0NWeXc&hl=en

RENT Musical, Manila (Feb. 07, 2010)

Saturday, December 19, 2009

La Vie Boheme by Rent Manila 2010 Cast Video

Robbie Guevara and the RENT Manila 2010 Cast Video

Sunday, November 15, 2009

RENT Musical in Manila Cast

Rent Cast Announced!!!

HUGE RESPONSE TO ‘RENT’ OPEN CALL

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Get your tickets now!!!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Rent Musical in Manila (Feb. 7, 2010)

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