A Next to Normal Life?

By Anton Diaz

Original Article can be found HERE

Life is Crazy

I realized that all of us live a crazy kind of life.

We turn into our own monsters at times, just  to cope with the pressure of everyday living.

The insanity is only made bearable by our family and friends.

When you are an employee, you long for the day when you own your own time and hit it big with your own business.

When you are an entrepreneur, you think of your more carefree employee days 

when you had a consistent salary and comfortable benefits.

You wish for a perfect family but instead you get a quirky one with little habits that annoy you at times.

You hate living a life of compromises.

We all have our personal crazy stories that we are afraid to share with other people because we might lose face.

Natalie sings it beautifully in the song, Maybe (Next to Normal): 

"I don’t need a life that’s normal.
That’s way too far away.
But something next to normal,
Would be okay."

Yes, I agree -- A Life Next to Normal is OK.

An Insanely Great Cast
Thank you to Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, who played Diana Goodman (a woman struggling with bipolar disorder and grieving the loss of her son), for taking us on an emotional roller coaster ride that made us reflect on our lives.
Thank you to her powerful co-actor Jett Pangan (of The Dawn), who played Diana's ever-supportive husband Dan, for portraying our own hopes and struggles.

We are fans of Felix Rivera and have watched most of his shows. His performance as Gabe was chilling and crucial in the whole drama.
We were impressed with BlueREP alumna Bea Garcia's convincing portrayal of Natalie. It felt like the role was written with her in mind. Congrats to The not-so-invisible girl!

As for Pilipinas Got Talent’s Markki Stroem, who played Natalie's boyfriend Henry, we wished he could be at par with Bea. Anyway, there's always room for improvement.

Unexpected Plot
I was not expecting Next to Normal to be a rock musical-telenovela-drama. I was actually ready to laugh but I cried instead -- my first time while watching a musical.

The reason I love watching musicals is that I always look for that kurot sa puso. It's that feeling that hits you in your core and, if you are lucky, it can change you forever.

Next to Normal has that Rent-like kurot and the unconventional frankness of Avenue Q.

Maybe Brian Yorkey (author of the book and songwriter of the play) was right:

"What doctors call dysfunction
We tried to call romance
And true it's quite a trick
To tell the dancers from the dance
But rather than let chance take me
I'll take a chance"

Here's a toast to the crazies and to the chances we take in life!

Live an Awesome (but sometimes crazy) Life,

 

Full Disclosure: We watched a complimentary press, showbuyers and friends-of-the-theater preview of Next to Normal last night.

P.S. Next to Normal returns for a limited engagement beginning tonight, October 7, 2011, until the 16th at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC.

This play is a testament to how powerful theater can be -- not only does it tug on your heartstrings, it also calls you to action. Don't miss it!

Buy that ticket now from your makulit spammer/showbuyer friend...you won't regret it.

 

Catch Atlantis Productions' NEXT TO NORMAL (THE REPEAT)

on October 15, 2011 / Sat / 2PM @ RCBC 

Contact Us:
Onay Sales (0918.536.2116)

RC Marzan (0922.888.5348)

Borgy Marzan (0922.888.5344)
or  email: watchplays@yahoo.com

Seat Plan can be viewed here:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Au4HQl0TAAC_dHR0OFpvWHZ2VUsxNzg2eTU1NWhFcmc&hl=en_US#gid=0

Defining what's normal

DIRECTLINE By Boy Abunda (The Philippine Star) Original Article can be found HERE His name doesn’t command top billing but actor Jake Macapagal has things as important as stardom: A body of work and integrity.

More than two decades as theater and movie actor, Jake has portrayed a wide range of characters in major and indie projects. From key roles as healer (in Pandango) to the inconspicuous party guest (in Sakay), the soft-spoken actor has, indeed, been there, done that in a way that allowed him to even work in Japan, Singapore and Germany.


In the next few weeks, Jake will be adding to his back catalogue by playing Dr. Madden, a shrink in Atlantis Productions’ Next to Normal. His patient is the lead character Diana, who has bi-polar disorder, a psychological disorder characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania.


“Not only did I have to research on the disorder but some of the lyrics have medical terms. It’s something I’ve not done before,” he said.


More than testing his mettle in learning tongue-twisting words, Jake said he auditioned for the role because he believes in the message of the story; that is, defining (or in this case, not defining) what is normal.


“What can be normal to you may be abnormal to someone else. Ultimately, the story tells us to not be judgmental of others,” he said.


Next to Normal is a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning rock musical that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse and ethics in modern psychiatry. Sounds heavy? Not if you ask Jake.


“It helps that there are lots of singing and that the music is country and rock, two genres that many Filipinos can relate to. It’s kinda like Rent — you have tons of fun that you hardly notice you’re learning a lot about yourself, the world and your relationships”.


Jake acknowledges that bipolar disorder as subject for a musical may be taboo, if not left-of-center, to some Filipinos. He points out that many Pinoys still frown on the idea of visiting a shrink unless he is deranged.


“But bipolar disorder can affect anyone even without them or their family knowing that he has it. So how could you address the issue if you don’t acknowledge it first and then do something about it?”


Asked if he thinks his role in Next to Normal could be his ticket to stardom, Jake just smiles. He said that what’s more important for him is that he does a variety of roles and that he gives each one justice.


Spoken like a true actor.

Catch Atlantis Productions' NEXT TO NORMAL

on March 19, 2011 / 2PM / Saturday / RCBC

Contact: 

Borgy Marzan (0922.888.5344)
Robert Marzan (0922.888.5348)

or Onay Sales (0918.536.2116)

 

 Seat Plan can be viewed here:

  https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Au4HQl0TAAC_dF9FNVI4WGVyYTBTRWFKaGpCV05mYkE&hl=en#gid=0

 

Body Talk with Markki Stroem

FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo 

The Philippine Star

Read Original Article HERE

You remember Markki Stroem as the Filipino-Norwegian finalist last year in the ABS-CBN talent search Pilipinas Got Talent,  the one who caught your attention and won the hearts and nod of televiewers with his talent for singing and with musical instruments.

Very soon, you will remember Markki as the lead character Henry in Next To Normal, which is being mounted by Atlantis Productions on March 11 to 27 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City, directed by Bobby Garcia.

Fresh from the critical success of his Manila and Singapore staging of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, Bobby recalled, “Markki came into audition and we immediately knew we had found our Henry. He is an honest, truthful young performer with a remarkable singing voice. He is also passionate about theater which is a rarity in young performers these days. He is a welcome addition to the theater scene.”

Next To Normal recently concluded its hit run on Broadway and continues to run on tour. New York Times critic Ben Brantley raved about it: “Next To Normal is one of the bravest musicals to hit mainstream — a jolt of raw, contemporary pain, propelled by a rock ‘n roll pulse. It makes your heart swell.”

The musical, with music by Tom Kitt, and books and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, has won three Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Manila production is the first licensed English-language production followed by an Australian production in April.

Theater is not alien territory to Markki who has done a few plays in high school and with Repertory Philippines.

“Henry is one of my dream roles,” said Markki. “After Henry, I hope to play the others. Playing Henry is tough; I’ve been preparing hard for it.”

An Arian (he’s turning 23 on March 21), Markki stands 5’11”; weighs 155 lbs.; and wears small/medium-size shirt, medium-size briefs and size-11 shoes.

How did you prepare for Next to Normal?

“I did research on Henry, the character I’m playing, and how other actors played him on Broadway. Even when I was just memorizing my lines, I tried to live the role; I really put my heart and soul into it.”

It’s your first time to go into professional theater. You must be feeling nervous.

“Hmmmm, yes. It helps a lot that I did theater in high school at ISM and then with Repertory Philippines.”

You have to be onstage for two hours or longer and it can be physically taxing. What physical training did you do?

 “I bike every day for about an hour and I do spinning classes in the gym to keep my voice alive. As soon as I wake up early in the morning I go straight to the bathtub and vocalize. I train under Kitchie Molina, my voice teacher. Then I do more vocal exercises by going up and down the stairs.”

What kind of diet do you follow?

“I eat mostly chicken breast without the skin and white meat. I take a lot of hot green tea every day for my voice. I take Vitamin C. I lead a healthy life.”

Do you smoke?

“I don’t.”

Do you drink?

“A bit. In college, I took up Hotel & Restaurant Management (HRM). I had to sample drinks.”

How much water do you take per day?

“Oh, a lot! That’s plain water, in addition to the green tea.”

What other workout do you do?

“I run in the morning. Sometimes, I swim. I lift weights. I box on Sundays. I used to do triathlon when I was a kid and I’m going back to it now.”

What part of your body needs improvement?

 “Every part. Hahahaha! I have an enlarged heart so I work out regularly. I got it when I was a kid. I used to run a lot and that made my heart grow bigger.”

Are you taking any medication for your enlarged heart?

“At the moment, no. I just work out a lot.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“My respiratory system, perhaps. I’m allergic to dust and pollution and to cigarette smoke. I sneeze a lot; my head tends to hurt and I get rashes all over my body.”

What part of your body is your favorite?

 “My hands. They are pretty long. The good thing about having long hands is that you are able to do a lot more things. You can play the piano better. And you have a farther reach.”

What part of a girl’s body do you notice first?

“Her eyes, because you can get something from them. I like girls who are sporty.”

And what kind turns you off?

“Giggly girls.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“Eight to 10 hours, or longer.”

Favorite sleepwear?

“A shirt and shorts. I don’t want to catch a cold.”

Do you snore?

“I used to, until I had my tonsils taken out. I suffer from sleep apnea. But with my tonsils out, I have no more difficulty breathing.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“Nowadays, yes. It’s fun! What do I talk about? I forget all about them as soon as I wake up.” I sleep soundly and I sometimes have nightmares — you know, bangungot.”

Do you sleepwalk?

“I don’t. Just bangungot. It happens when I am so tired and I go to sleep right away.”

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

“I put the TV on and watch local shows because I’m trying to polish my Tagalog. That’s what I usually do before I go to sleep.”

And the first thing that you do when you wake up?

“I eat a bowl of cereals. I do push-ups, and run up and down the stairs in my condo. My housemates (a couple) are leaving soon and I’ll be living alone.”

How do you cope with stress?

“I exercise.”

Do you have a nightlife?

“To be honest? No! Sometimes, I go out with friends but I can be boring because I don’t drink so much. I don’t enjoy partying.”

How’s your love life? Do you have a girlfriend?

“At the moment, no, I don’t have a girlfriend. I’m just busy enjoying this acting thing. You know how girlfriends are…they want your attention all the time. So I decided not to concentrate on that at present and concentrate instead on my career.”

Does it follow that if you don’t have a love life, you don’t have a sex life?

“No. But to be honest with you, because of the rehearsals for the play, I get so tired that when I get home all I want is just to fall asleep. I have had three girlfriends so far and that’s enough for the moment. Maybe I’ll have one when the time is right.”

Name three women that you think know how to take care of their body.

“Angelina Jolie. Anne Curtis. Bea Alonzo.”

And three men that you think have nice bodies.

“Brad Pitt is one of them. I can ‘t think of two more.”

Using only body language, how would you make a girl know that you admire her?

“I just look at her and try to catch her eyes.”

Catch Atlantis Productions' NEXT TO NORMAL

on March 19, 2011 / 2PM / Saturday / RCBC

Contact: 

Borgy Marzan (0922.888.5344) 
Robert Marzan (0922.888.5348)

or Onay Sales (0918.536.2116)

 

 Seat Plan can be viewed here:

  https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Au4HQl0TAAC_dF9FNVI4WGVyYTBTRWFKaGpCV05mYkE&hl=en#gid=0

Body Talk with Markki Stroem

It's one of the proudest moments in my career

By Bobby Garcia (The Philippine Star)

Original Article can be found HERE

MANILA, Philippines - I first heard of Next To Normal when I was casting Cinderella in New York on a blisteringly cold February day in 2008. It was playing Off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre which was right beside Telsey + Co, our casting office, on W 43rd Street. After a long casting day, I went to check it out. Although it was not yet in its final finished state, the show and the music lingered in my mind for weeks after. In 2009, it opened on Broadway with numerous dramatic and musical changes. I caught it during its first few months on Broadway and was blown away by the music, the story and its power. I knew then, that at some point in my career, I wanted to take on directing Next To Normal.


Luckily, soon after that, we were able to arrange for the rights to stage it in Manila, thanks to the wonderful guys at Music Theatre International, who have entrusted us with the most current musicals through the years. The Manila Production marks the first internationally licensed English language production of Next To Normal. The Australian production opens right after us. I knew, though, that staging Next To Normal did have numerous challenges. The first challenge would be to find a cast ready to take on the demands of Next To Normal.


Finding Next To Normal’s cast was both daunting and extremely easy. I already had a cast in mind to tackle the extremely demanding material. The question really was whether they would be up to the challenge and the reality of living with the emotional complexity of the show for months as we rehearsed and ran the show.


Who else but Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo could take on Diana, really? Menchu is one of Philippine Musical Theater’s great stars. She brings to each and every role a passion, a focus, and a truth that is unparalleled in musical theater in the country. She also possesses a fantastic voice that can scale the heights in either a thrilling belt or a sweet soprano.


It has been a joy working her to create a Diana unique to this production. This is Menchu’s fifth show with me, and each and every time it is a joy. Over the years, she has become a dear and trusted friend. I am also thrilled that Menchu has expanded her career to include directing and taking on the associate artistic director position at Repertory Philippines.


Repertory Philippines paved the road for those of us who work in English language musical theater in the country. Zeneida Amador and Baby Barredo are the pioneers who laid down the railroad tracks for us to take our journey on. All of us who have followed in their footsteps, have merely built the trains.


Now, as the torch is passed on to a new generation, it is in the best of hands with Menchu there. I can’t wait for audiences to see Menchu’s emotionally raw and soul searching performance as Diana in Next To Normal. It is a performance that captures the highs and lows of Diana’s turbulent mind, and Menchu alternates between electrifying and devastating.


It is the work of a musical theater actress at her prime.


I am also thrilled that we produced Menchu’s first CD, which will be released on the opening night of Next To Normal. Released by Sony Music, the CD titled Light will feature seven songs from Menchu’s musical theater past and present. It will also feature two songs from Next To Normal along with the entire original Manila cast. The CD will be available at the theater throughout the run of Next To Normal. I believe the album is a first in the country, an album by a musical theater star singing strictly musical theater songs.Thank you Sony Music for believing in this project.


I first met Jett Pangan when he auditioned for Rent in 1999. Although we wanted him for the show, schedules didn’t allow it to happen. But lucky for me, the Gods would smile upon me a few years later when I was doing another Jonathan Larson musical tick, tick… boom!


This time, Jett was available to do the show. And he was a revelation as Jon. Jett is a natural on stage. Not only does he possess one of the finest male voices of our singers in Manila, but he is also a sensitive and truthful actor. Next To Normal  marks Jett’s ninth show with Atlantis.


He has performed with us almost every year. He has become family to us. And we are blessed to have him in our lives and in our shows. After yesterday’s run through, I can safely say that audiences are going to be extremely surprised by Jett’s versatility. He is a rock star of course, but he is also a brilliant actor.


Felix Rivera, Bea Garcia and Jake Macapagal represent the finest of musical theater talent in our shores. Jake has performed in many shows with us in the past and has also shared his musical gifts with audiences in Germany, where he performed in Miss Saigon for many years.


He most recently did an excellent job as Count Malcolm in A  Little Night Music, both in Manila and Singapore. He is one of the kindest, most genuine people I know. And it shows on stage when he performs. Jake is a generous performer, never ever stealing the spotlight from his co-actors.


Felix, I can say, has grown up a lot in the three years he has been working with us. In those three years he took on lead and featured roles in Avenue Q, Spelling Bee, Legally Blonde and A Little Night Music. And with every show, he has improved his skills.


He is one of the most naturally gifted performers I have worked with, and the dedication he has to his craft becomes more evident with every role he takes on. He is destined to take on many of the finest roles in musical theater. Bea has worked with us in Hairspray, Spring Awakening, Xanadu and A Little Night Music. And, no doubt, this is only the beginning of many great things for her. She brings passion and focus that is sometimes lost amongst her generation of actors. Never one to settle for good enough, Bea continues to improve her skills and I think it shows in Next To Normal. I suspect many people will find her Natalie to be a revelation of sorts.


Markki makes his stage debut in Next To Normal, and I couldn’t be happier that musical theater has found a new rising star. Casting Henry was perhaps the most difficult challenge we had. We went through many performers before I called Mariole Alberto at Star Magic and asked her if there was anyone she wanted to send our way as we were stuck without a Henry. She sent Markki to audition for us, and immediately after he sang and read his scenes I knew we found our Henry. Markki brings an honest and sincerity to the role that is so refreshing to see. 


Equipped with a wonderful singing voice, Markki is also an extremely instinctive actor. This is just the first of many musical theater roles for Markki, whom I suspect will become one of the great leading men in Philippine Musical Theater.


Theater is a collaborative medium, and I wouldn’t have been able to stage the show without the amazing creative team that surrounds me. They consist of but are not limited to choreographer Chari Arespacochaga, set designer Lex Marcos, lighting designer Shoko Matsumoto, costume designer Twinkle Zamora, musical director Ceejay Javier, vocal coach ManMan Angsico, stage manager Bernice Aspillaga Cañete and production manager extraordinaire Liza Camus. Blessed is an understatement to describe how I feel about the people I am surrounded by.


This has been one of the most rewarding rehearsal processes I have had in my career. The material is unparalleled in musical theater and the rehearsal room is filled each day with so much love and care for the show and for each other. I genuinely love each and every person in the room (which is actually quite rare for me!). And rehearsals have been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone in the room (just ask ManMan). Tears one second, laughter the next followed by headaches and migraines by the end of the day. But the rehearsal room is always, always filled with respect and love. I normally am very good about cutting the umbilical cord when a show has opened and I move on to the next one, but I suspect I will have a harder time of it with Next To Normal.


Next To Normal would never have come to Manila without the generous support of The Philippine Star, Business World, Portfolio, Studio 23, Lifestyle Network, Yoshinoya, Yellowcab Pizza, Superbowl, Burger King, Baang Coffee, Club Astoria Plaza, Loop Creative Dining, Corner Tree Café, Banana Leaf, MBC Radio, Crossover 105.1, Mellow 94.7, Hit Productions, Digipost, Media Magnet, Prime Recall Advertising and Services, MAC Cosmetics, Mandaue Foam, RCBC Plaza and the City of Makati and our loyal show and ticket buyers. Please write down their names and support their businesses, as they are the ones who keep theater alive.


For those unfamiliar with Next To Normal, it is “an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and of each other.”


It is the winner of three Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The crux of Next To Normal can be summed up in a lyric one of the characters sings in the finale, The price of love is loss. But still we pay. We love anyway. 


Isn’t that the truth? I do hope you will join us when we open our doors on March 11. Next To Normal is one of the proudest moments I have had in my career, and I can’t wait to share this acclaimed and groundbreaking musical with all of you.

 

Catch Atlantis Productions' NEXT TO NORMAL

on March 19, 2011 / 2PM / Saturday / RCBC

Contact: 

Borgy Marzan (0922.888.5344)
Robert Marzan (0922.888.5348)

or Onay Sales (0918.536.2116)

 

 Seat Plan can be viewed here:

  https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Au4HQl0TAAC_dF9FNVI4WGVyYTBTRWFKaGpCV05mYkE&hl=en#gid=0

 

The not-so-invisible girl

 The not-so-invisible girl

CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia 

  (The Philippine Star) 

Original Article can be found HERE

There comes a time in every actor’s life when the perfect show, the perfect material, and the perfect role come together at the perfect moment and everything humdrum can quite possibly turn golden. The world halts for a split-second. The actor is overcome with unfathomable emotion, an out-of-body experience if you will, and a star is possibly born  that is, until the euphoria fleets as fast as it had initially crystallized and there is that stark realization, “Holy sh*t! I’ve gotta get to work!”


Such is the experience of theater actress Bea Garcia who will be getting her break this March in Atlantis’ forthcoming production of Next to Normal. A Pulitzer award-winning rock musical about a suburban mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and a dysfunctional family that’s left to pick up the pieces, Bea is working tremendously hard to do justice to the role of anxious and overachieving 16-year-old Natalie. STAR spends some quality time with the 25-year-old actress who will be sharing the stage with the likes of Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and The Dawn’s Jett Pangan as she talks about the role of Natalie, being the on-stage girlfriend of Markki Stroem, and doing theater since as far as she can remember.


PHILIPPINE STAR: Tell us a little something about yourself.


BEA GARCIA: I’m 25 years old, and my first love has always been musical theater. I took my first acting workshop when I was six, and eventually ventured into professional theater when I was seven.


You were first seen as Little Cosette in Rep’s Les Miserables. How have you grown as an artist since then?


Les Miz was more than 17 years ago, and back then, I really was doing it simply because I enjoyed it. I did not fully grasp the discipline it entails and did not have the passion I have for theater then as I do now.


Describe your character Natalie.


Natalie is the daughter of Diana (a suburban mom who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, played by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo). She is basically the character who craves her mother’s love and attention but is let down many times. We see how this affects her life, and everything around her.


How different or similar are you to your character?


Well, I, too, am the only child. Luckily, my parents have been amazing and have been the two most supportive people in my life. Unlike Natalie, I think I have and will always have the love she felt she lacked from her family.


How did you prepare for the role?


I did a lot of research before we started the rehearsal process. I try to look at everything (Natalie) goes through, and internalize the kind of pain and difficulty she feels every single day, and how it manifests in her life and her relationships.


How is Bobby Garcia as a director?


Direk Bobby is great. He not only encourages us to be the best we can be but he helps us along the way. He also asks us questions that make us evaluate the choices that we make, and he is very clear with his vision for the show. I am very lucky to be working with him.


Who inspires you as an artist?


My greatest sources of inspiration are my parents. When I was a child, my mom and dad always told me that the only way I will truly be happy in life is if I love what I do  I remember this advice and follow it to this day.


What’s it like being scene partners with Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Jett Pangan?

I cannot put into words how inspiring Tita Mench and Jett are! They are both very generous actors. Even when we are just talking outside rehearsal time, I learn a lot from them. Tita Menchu has always been one of the most supportive people in my life, and I always come to her for advice; she really is like a mom to me. 


How’s it sharing the stage with Markki Stroem who plays Natalie’s boyfriend Henry in the show?


It has been really great working with Markki! He’s new but he has so much passion for theater and he is so open to learning. You would think that he’d be different because of the fame he’s gotten over the years, but he’s totally humble.


What musicals would you like to see done here in Manila?


Wicked! Thoroughly Modern Millie! Rock of Ages!


Finally, where do you see yourself 10 years from now?


A happy mom and wife, but still very much involved in the theater scene. I dream to also be able to put up a school that will train young actors and bring theater to the less privileged.

Catch Atlantis Productions' NEXT TO NORMAL

on March 19, 2011 / 2PM / Saturday / RCBC

Contact: 

Borgy Marzan (0922.888.5344) 
Robert Marzan (0922.888.5348)

or Onay Sales (0918.536.2116)

 

 Seat Plan can be viewed here:

  https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Au4HQl0TAAC_dF9FNVI4WGVyYTBTRWFKaGpCV05mYkE&hl=en#gid=0