When Playbill.com approached us asking for a little behind-the-scenes peek, I was uber-excited to give you a look into what makes a Philippine theatre production from an insider point-of-view. Also, a taste of all the zany things that happened in rehearsals and over at Meralco Theater, where we ran for over 22 shows last November through December.
Also, equal parts manic, fun and hardly ever serious, this is my attempt at giving you all a special peek into the making of Atlantis Production’s run of Disney’s The Little Mermaid here in the Philippines. Our belated Christmas gift to you all – ENJOY!
“MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON!”
(MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
Off to last week of Disney’s Little Mermaid rehearsals. We’ve been rehearsing for just over 4 weeks and are about to start moving into the theatre. Yep, that’s my Mama’s Boy tote bag, in case you’re wondering.
Ikey Canoy
Saying a silent prayer that I get there to the studio in time despite the crazy morning traffic. Gleep
Ikey Canoy
Our local city public transportation called the jeepney, plying the city thoroughfares. Would have taken a ride and showed you guys a pic if I woke up in time today. FAIL!
Ikey Canoy
Our rehearsal venue, DPIXL Studios. While mostly used as photography studio, the massive space was perfect for our large staging of the show. Just arrived with over half-an-hour to spare. Woohoo!
Ikey Canoy
Signing in for the day’s attendance at the call board. Can’t believe it’s our last rehearsal week before moving into the theatre!
Ikey Canoy
Meeting my beautiful castmates. That’s Reg Claraval (Female Swing/Chorus) and OJ Mariano (Sebastian) at the complementary coffee station.
Ikey Canoy
Nothing like a morning affirmation via statement tee, courtesy of castmate Bea Garcia (Adella /Chorus) and A Little Night Music.
Ikey Canoy
Our elder statesman Calvin Millado (King Triton), busily going through his script and musical score before rehearsals. Of course that’s what he’s really doing… Honest!
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Inside the main studio, getting ready for the day’s work.
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OJ and Raymund Concepcion (Grimsby) trying to decipher the stage management team’s oh-so-detailed scene breakdowns. Or at least trying to convince anyone nearby that they’re that professional. Sigh.
Ikey Canoy
The gods on high – Directors Chari Arespacochaga & Bobby Garcia – together with choreographer Cecile Martinez, vocal coach Manman Angsico and makeup designer/castmate Johann Dela Fuente (Chorus).
Ikey Canoy
Makeup notes and pegs c/o Johann for the female chorus members. And yes, you can’t be too glam for an undersea creature or mermaid. Haha!
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Johann’s design work for our dear old crustacean Sebastian, played by OJ Mariano.
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Singer, dancer, actor, director AND makeup designer?!? Meet Johann Dela Fuente - the QUINTUPLE THREAT!
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Raymund (Grimsby) giving the feather lashes a try. Ummm, Grimsby… you’re looking a wee bit, um… pretty, today…
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16. Reg Claraval (Female Swing/Chorus) definitely loving being the test model for the feather lashes. And yes, Reg, YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM BACK. Sorry, those are the rules
Ikey Canoy
15 minutes before start of rehearsals is our usual morning warm-up/dance exercise class, courtesy of our resident dancer Japs Treopaldo (Carlotta).
Ikey Canoy
Directors Chari Arespacochaga and Bobby Garcia greeting the cast for the last day of rehearsals.
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The whole cast all ears for the director’s notes from the previous day’s run-throughs.
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That’s our musical director and repetiteur Ceejay Javier. Behind that bald head (by choice, he insists) is a true musical genius, responsible for the music of Atlantis Productions’ recent theatrical stagings the past few years
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And here’s our resident vocal coach Manman Angsico going over the different sections of vocals for the day’s rehearsal. He hates having his picture taken, but I managed to snag this one. He’s more elusive than Bigfoot, really.
Ikey Canoy
Before costume fittings, it’s best to leave sleeping eels where they lie, methinks.
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Japs (Carlotta) waiting for her cue with boys Altair Alonso, Anthony Tarrosa Ong & Carlos Canlas (Chorus) at the wings.
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What do mersisters-princesses do while waiting for the music to start? Castmembers Jenny Jamora (Arista/Chorus) and Caisa Borromeo (Andrina/Female Chorus/Ariel cover) strike their best model poses.
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The princesses showing their stuff at the Prince’s contest ball. And the hilarity begins.
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Yanah Laurel (Allana/Chorus) is either doing some extreme face and body warmups right here, or this is the world’s best attempt at a stinkface…
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Teenee Chan (Atina/Chorus) flexing her princess’ performance chops for Prince Eric while belting her high C. Show-off... Haha!
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Jenny Jamora (Arista/Chorus) showing off her inner ‘ghetto child’ for her performance…
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Reg Claravall (Female Swing/Chorus) demonstrating her, um… “other” talents to the Prince…
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Apparently nobody told Caisa Borromeo (Andrina/Chorus) about the 8-bars maximum to the contest piece. Beware, Grimsby…
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And rounding up the pack is Sonjia Calit (Aquata/Chorus) with her princess’ effervescent energy and zest…
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Jinky Llamanzares (Ursula) and Bea Garcia (Adella/Chorus) definitely loving the zany performances of these CRAZY princesses. Keep it up, girls!
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Jinky Llamanzares, our resident Ursula, tries on her tentacles for the first time. Tita (i.e. Auntie) Jinky, as we call her, is a definite spitfire with boundless energy and a belt voice to die for.
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Jinky and her evil eel helpers Felix Rivera (Flotsam) and Jaime Barcelon (Jetsam) getting ready for the tentacles’ unveiling…
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And VOILA! So THAT’S how it works!!!
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Our one and only Little Mermaid, Rachelle Ann Go waiting for her cue. In her 1st ever stage production, ‘Shin’ (as we call her) has got all the charm, heart and beauty of an Ariel coupled with the definite vocal chops of a real-life Disney princess.
Ikey Canoy
Ariel, Flotsam and Jetsam in happier times. Well, at least until the two eels joined the Dark Side with Ursula.
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“You heard about it?” Ursula and her two minions toting the magic shell for Ariel’s voice
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Choreographer Cecile Martinez and director Chari looking on at the day’s run.
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The mersisters Yanah, Sonjia, Teenee, Bea, Caisa and Jenny going through the mermaids-with-pompom number "She’s In Love."
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While the girls practice their dance choreography, Johann is busily brushing up on his fashion model poses in the boy’s dressing room.
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Jinky (Ursula) and Shin (Ariel) playing around in the wings. Yes, they really are goofballs at heart!
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Stage Manager Ed Murillo, or EDMU, as he’s known in the local theatre/concert/events scene, keeps a watchful eye on the cast’s shenanigans. Heehee. Love you, Edmu!
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What’s great about re-envisioning a show like this is the fusion of Asian influences like shadow puppetry. The awesome puppetry team of Mountain Rock Productions and Sam Fuentes show off one of their creations to be used in the show.
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Per Jinky’s request for a rehearsal wig, Edmu demonstrates his alternate career as a propsman to make one out of, well… paper.
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"I LOVE IT!” Jinky exclaims. A right and proper cross between a French powdered wig and Medusa, methinks!
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Major costume fitting day! Here are the boys in our dapper sailor threads for the show’s boat scenes.
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Castmate Altair Alonso (Chorus) showing off his Philippine native weave pattern-inspired seahorse, courtesy of our costume designer, Eric Piñeda, with Liz and Benny Batoctoy – two of the country’s leading production and special effects designers.
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Altair and I demonstrating our inner animals for camera. Trying on my Scuttle costume for the very first time, and I just LOVE the striped tights for my gull!
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Weird and wonderful sea creatures abound, this time with Carlos Canlas (Chorus) showing off his trumpet fish…
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Reg flashing her shy sea anemone-smile for camera. Well, it’s either she’s a sea anemone or a psychedelic Troll doll come to life. My money’s on the sea anemone, though.
Ikey Canoy
Mermaid sisters, ASSEMBLE!!!
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Our lovable fishy friend Flounder, played by the energetic and spunky Lee Villoria, sporting her Chinese kung-fu inspired getup. And nope, she’s not a kid anymore. Can you believe that she’s actually a Marketing Executive for an online gaming company by d
Ikey Canoy
Our dashing Prince Eric, played by Erik Santos! Also taking his 1st dip into musical theatre work, Erik is a true professional in the full sense of the word. A multi-awarded singer-performer with multi-platinum records under his belt...
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Felix sports his Flotsam eel, infused with Chinese dragon detailing…
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Raymund (Grimsby) and yours truly, channeling our inner gulls.
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Felix getting up close and personal with OJ (Sebastian). Eels and crabs really don’t get along, I guess.
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Calvin Millado, our venerable King Triton, all smiles for the costume fitting with his Balinese-esque armor. Behind that charming smile lies a truly devious prankster and troublemaker honed through years of experience in various Philippine theatre product
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Shin and OJ showing off their Asian-influenced costumes for this 1st ever staging of the show. Ariel has her Filipino pared-down terno sleeves and Sebastian sports his Thai-inspired chada headdress, diaper pants and body armor.
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Disney princess, Philippines version!
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Prince Eric busily ponders his various costume changes by the sofa.
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Juliene Mendoza (Chef Louis) meets Angry Bird for his next costume change.
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Fast-forwarding to our very first rehearsal with the orchestra over at Studio M! Excited to finally hear the full band sound for the show!
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Heading into Studio M, the excitement is definitely in the air. Most of us couldn’t hide our giddiness at seeing all the instruments decked out for today’s musical sitzprob.
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Fresh from a press conference at the Manila Ocean Park Aquarium (where else, right?), Jinky is all set to belt out for today’s sitzprob. By the way, love the look, Jinky!
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Father and daughter Triton and Ariel hamming it up for the camera as they head into the rehearsal room
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No stranger to the mic and performance stage, Shin is actually a seasoned singer-performer with 6 studio albums under her belt and numerous local awards. And she’s absolutely gorgeous, too!
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Jinky, Shin and Erik – all powerhouse singers in the local scene. Man, we have definitely got the big guns for this show!
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Everybody all excited to start the sing-through session with the orchestra…
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That’s everybody who has a mic for the show!
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Getting in place for my 1st stab at my number "Positoovity" with the orchestra and the rest of my seagull posse. “Who run the world? GULLS!”
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Shin = Sheer gorgeousness. Channeling her inner Disney princess for this private moment.
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OJ is the perfect blend of manic-panicky Sebastian with love and concern for his young ward Ariel. Don’t let the tattoo fool you, he’s a definite softie who brings the right amount of heart and vocal gumption to the role.
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Erik the ‘Prince of Pop,’ as he’s known in the local singing scene, waiting for his stab at his song "Her Voice." The young man’s definitely got the vocal chops to make a true leading man for this production.
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Jinky striking a pose as Ursula, before she lets rip for her roaring solo "Poor Unfortunate Soul."
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Shin somehow has an uncanny ability to find my camera and give me the funniest faces…
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Shin looking on as Erik sings his soaring solo. They’ve been good friends for many years, working together as singers and mainstays on a local TV network’s shows until Shin recently moved to a rival network roster of stars. In two different worlds indeed.
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Lee Villoria (Flounder) and Calvin Millado (King Triton) going through their dialogue sequences… “Gee, I didn’t even know it was love until the 2nd chorus!”
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Move-in day at the theatre! On the way to Meralco Theater, one of the premier venues for local theatre productions in Manila (capital of the Philippines, by the way).
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Production team and Puppetry team, REPRESENT!
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Inside the theatre, waiting for the start of tech adjustments. I just love the feeling of standing on this stage, looking out at the whole audience area. *happy grin*
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On the stage, prep work continues for all the massive set pieces designed by Lex Marcos. Sea and/or land, it’s all there!
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Our real-life heroine, Production Manager Liza Camus, channeling her own inner Ariel. Or is it Ursula? Depends on who she’s talking on the phone and if they running late for rehearsals. Haha! Love you, Liza!
Ikey Canoy
Stage Manager Edmu takes the cast through the customary theatre tour backstage. For theater veterans and newcomers to Meralco alike, it’s a getting-to-know-you custom for anyone who performs in this theater.
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Another cool thing about turning the cartoon into a stage musical? Awesome larger-than-life puppetry! This is Kevin, the massive crane, keeping watch of the call board and attendance sheet. Beware of his beak, latecomers…
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My dressing room! That’s my messy pile of stuff on the far end of the table. My roomie Carlos (Chorus) and I have worked together for several productions in the past, and we still keep on coming back to our favourite places in this dressing room.
Ikey Canoy
Another interesting thing I discovered was the existence of hidden messages and mementos that various actors have left underneath the dresser tables.
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The mersisters’ wigs, waiting to be fitted…
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And here are the mersisters…
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Says Jenny (Arista/Chorus), “Don’t I remind you of the WENDY’S HAMBURGERS girl?”
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Calvin (King Triton) getting the finishing touches on his body glitter paint and makeup.
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Here are the mersisters, rehearsing their choreo and blocking for the Daughters of Triton sequence…
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Hey, we didn’t say we thought you were an expert on the whole Caribbean accent-thing, OJ…
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Downstairs at the multi-purpose hall and shop, the props team busily add the final details to Ursula’s tentacles. That’s special glow-in-the-dark paint and black lights they’re attaching, for that special OOOMPH come Jinky’s big number.
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Just about set up for full music and tech run of the show. Certainly looks like two different worlds over here…
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Trying out the bubble machine for "Under The Sea." Can’t help but feel like a kid whenever you see bubbles flying around in the air. Actually tried to catch one with my mouth. Didn’t taste very well. Never tried it again after that. Eew.
Ikey Canoy
The rest of the cast getting ready to rehearse "Kiss The Girl" with the massive suit and hand puppets. It’s a veritable animal menagerie over here.
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Lee excitedly puts on her butterfly rig. And the butterflies actually flap their wings whenever she moves her hands and feet. Cool!
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Raymund’s mallard seems to have a fondness for overly-long lashes. Or is that where those missing lashes from costume fitting went? Hmmmm…
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Upstairs, the boys gather together for our mini-photo shoot/demo reel to the sounds of "Do You Hear The People Sing?" playing in the background.
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Oh, Lee. You sure Flounder isn’t really a CLOWN fish? Badudum-tssssh.
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Japs Treopaldo (Carlotta) busily adding the finishing touches to her Angel Fish makeup before her scenes. One mean Latin dancer, she definitely leaves mere mortals (read: non-dancers) like me in her wake when she’s performing onstage. You go, Japs!
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Felix giving his best silly seagull face right before the gull tap-dance number "Positoovity." Either that or he’s getting tired thinking about all the dancing we’ll be doing for it. Eeep!
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Here’s Johann giving Prince Eric a run for his money as a dashing guest prince at the ball. The watch totally makes the outfit, in my opinion.
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In between shows, us boys in Dressing Rooms 1 and 2 keep ourselves busy playing board games. This week’s choice – CASH AND GUNS. Complete with foam pistols – perfect for intimidating those pesky hoodlum partners-in-crime of yours!
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Had to get a shot of all the awesome break-a-leg and advanced Xmas gifts from my awesome castmates. You guys are the best! Can’t believe that the show is almost over, after over 4 weekends…
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Outside, the whole of the Meralco compound is lit up like a Christmas tree. Wish I could pop out before the evening shows to actually see the decorations strung up all around. It’s really beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
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Nearby, a massive lit Christmas Tree stands in the middle of the Liwanag Park (translation: Light Park) that’s open to the public. Beautiful sight in the night time. Also helps that Meralco supplies electricity to the whole metro, too.
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In place of the usual 3 Kings, we have the Meralco electrical linesmen paying homage to the Infant Jesus, gorgeously lit by the colored footlights.
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Onstage, the whole cast sings our final "Part of Your World – Reprise" for the curtain call. One of my favourite moments of the show, where you see all those happy faces – young and old alike – looking back at you and singing along. Simply priceless!
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Totally going to miss this crazy-beautiful family that I’ve shared for almost 2 months. From rehearsals to the actual show run of 4 weekends, it has been such a fun ride!
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That’s me and Lee (Flounder) sharing a picture - the biggest and the smallest people in the cast!
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2.5 months of rehearsals-performances and God-knows how much longer preparation/design work time before that, but it has been totally worth every moment of it! On behalf of each and every person who’s worked on the show, a blessed holiday to all!
Ikey Canoy
The Manila production of Disney's The Little Mermaid took a new approach to the musical, incorporating Eastern and Western styles of design and puppetry to delineate its unique worlds.
Bobby Garcia, who has staged Next to Normal, Xanadu and Avenue Q for Atlantis Productions, directed The Little Mermaid alongside Chari Arespacochaga.
The Manila engagement was among the first stagings of the musical since its Broadway run in 2008. A U.S. national tour had been announced, but never surfaced. Music Theatre International licenses the property.
Garcia and Arespacochaga have conceived a production in which the undersea kingdom were designed using traditional Asian elements and the above-water world will be Western in theme. The Little Mermaid incorporated puppetry ranging from Wayang shadow play, bunraku, nang kaloung and Western hand puppetry. Liz and Benny Batoctoy and Sam Fuentes designed and created the puppetry for the production.
The Little Mermaid in Manila featured Rachelle Ann Go and Erik Santos, as Ariel and Prince Eric, respectively. Also in the cast were OJ Mariano as Sebastian, Calvin Millado as King Triton, Jinky Llamanzares as Ursula,Ikey Canoy as Scuttle, Lee Viloria as Flounder, Felix Rivera as Flotsam and Jamie Barcelon as Jetsam.
The production boasted choreography by Cecile Martinez, set design by Lex Marcos, costume design by Erik Pineda and lighting design by Jay Aranda.
The Little Mermaid features songs penned by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman for the Disney film ("Part of Your World," "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl," among others) as well as ten new tunes by Menken and Glenn Slater. Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, Grey Gardens) wrote the book.
