‘Off Broadway in Manila’ concert promises fresh takes on popular show tunes

September 15, 2017 - 5:40 PM
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The singers of 'Off Broadway in Manila' concert: Miriam Marasigan, Christine Marquez, Laurence Mossman, Tricia Canilao, Meliza Reyes and Jon Joven

It’s always a big treat for musical theater fans to hear their favorite show tunes in one concert.

To witness six seasoned musical theater actors perform the best loved songs from “Miss Saigon,” “West Side Story,” “Cats” and “Les Miserables” and many more is something even more special.

That’s what will happen this Friday, September 15 at the Intramuros Ballroom of the Manila House of Net Park Building in Bonifacio Global City in “Off Broadway in Manila” featuring Tricia Canilao, Jon Joven, Miriam Marasigan, Christine Marquez, Laurence Mossman and Meliza Reyes.

Tricia, who is co-producing the concert with Jeriane Ejercito, a scion of the popular showbiz family, is proud of the fact that “Off Broadway in Manila” boasts of performers who has performed in different international productions of “Miss Saigon.”

Jon Joven, Miriam Marasigan, Christine Marquez, and Meliza Reyes are all “Miss Saigon” veterans who are accomplished singers in their own right.

“I don’t think it has ever happened that ‘Miss Saigon’ performers have sung the songs in the show in three different languages. We will certainly showcase some of that. And the audience will also get a treat of seeing some songs not usually performed in shows. They will actually see snippets of that,” noted Tricia, who herself has played Kim, Gigi and Ellen in various stagings of the well-loved musical.

In addition to the seasoned theater performers, “Off Broadway in Manila” is also parading Laurence Mossman, a relative newcomer to Manila’s theater scene. The Auckland-born actor got kudos for his lead performance in “Kinky Boots” where Tricia was one of his co-stars. He is considered as “the country’s hottest musical theater leading man.”

Outside of theater, Laurence is a classically trained singer who is part of the vocal trio Primo that performs regularly at Resorts World Manila’s Bar 360.

For musical director Rony Fortich, who recently returned to the country after a fruitful stint in Hong Kong Disneyland, working with the “Off Broadway in Manila” has been an exhilarating experience.

“The singers are just fantastic. Whatever I do on the piano, they take it up a notch to a higher level. I came up with a repertoire that highlights their individual talents as well as show how well they can sing together. It was great working with these six amazing voices and harmonizing them,” Fortich told InterAksyon.

“The audiences will love some of the medleys and brand new arrangements I did with the songs from their favorite musicals.”

As for Tricia herself, she hopes to showcase another side of her in “Off Broadway in Manila.”

“People will definitely see me doing another part of performing that I love. If in ‘Kinky Boots’ I didn’t do so much singing, this time around I will be singing my favorite songs solo and together with the group,” she promised.

For ticket information on “Off Broadway in Manila,” visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.