So here it is... my winter time in the City of Brotherly Love, doing my version of the King in Walnut Street Theatre's The King and I.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Starting my day with my cup of coffee for a morning run.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Run Forrest run! Actually ... run Mel run ... near a "forest."
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Love running by Schuylkill River!
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You know I had to do it. I am in Philly! ROCKY!!!!
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Not sure if this is right... I look like I'm doing a scene from "Platoon."
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Up and up the stairs. No pain no gain.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
One of the gorgeous sculptures by the museum of fine arts in Philadelphia. What a beautiful city!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
The beautiful assistant who helped with some of the pics you are seeing: my girlfriend Anne. Yup she likes to run also!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Anne is thinking about the run back and how I can repay her for making her take pics of me running... oh boy.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Time to turn back to prepare for the rest of my day and get ready for the show!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Back at the hotel after our run.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Gotta hoard the quarters for laundry day!
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Studying a script for an Off-Broadway show I'll be doing in NYC right after my contract ends in Philadelphia. It's called Tokio Confidential by Eric Schorr. Performances start in February 2012. (I know ... shameless plug)
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Into the elevator and off to work!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
I HAVE to make a Wawa stop for my coffee! I really love Wawa!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Stopped off by Rittenhouse Square to check out the Christmas tree. Note: I do not have an ornament attached to my backpack.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Walking by one of my favorite Philly stops for food!
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For her help with my photo project, I guess I had to take Anne out for lunch.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
It's a little warmer in the sun so I take off my hat to even out my head tan.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Took a picture of this theatre because my first time in Philadelphia was in 2003 when I toured here with Miss Saigon.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Yay! Flags from our show on the streets of Philadelphia!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
And... flags of my parents' homeland on the streets of Philadelphia! Philippines... Phil - a - delphia... get it? (awkward silence)
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Finally made it to work! I love working at The Walnut Street Theatre and The King and I.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Hey, that poster has me on it! Sweet!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Our cast and orchestra pics in lobby.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
One of the great box offices guys who I get to see before I enter backstage. Hi Rick!
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Our amazing house manager Angie!
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I wanted to say hello to some of the amazing staff I found working that day. Here is WST Controller Len Karabell.
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Hooray for Mark D. Sylvester, WST's Managing Director.
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This is Jessica Doheny, Company Manager and Assistant to the Managing Director.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Doug Lutz our Musical Director! I had the honor of following him this past summer when we did Miss Saigon.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Time to enter the Green Room. Unfortunately there are no arcade games in the Arcadia Green Room. I do miss playing Galaga.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
More of the King and I team: Child Wrangler Brielle, Assistant Stage Managers Katie and Annie and cast members Adam and Janelle.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Our weekend ROYAL CHILDREN! Whoa... they are already in costume! I'd better hurry up!
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The sign in board and yes, they recycle at the Walnut Street Theatre!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
The Royal Children have made snow flakes to decorate our green room windows. "Snow?"
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And these are our weekday ROYAL CHILDREN!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Here is my good friend Angelica-Lee (aka "Lady Thiang) signing some posters. We have the exact same birthday! Just different years. She is my long lost sister!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Signing in. Note the announcement of my Playbill photo project.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
The hallway going toward my dressing room is lined with posters from the past. Yes ... even Captain Kirk has done a show here!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Our sweet and amazing kids in the show like to leave us notes. I placed some of mine on the door.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
I love this card given to me by one of the kids. It's amazing! Look at the detail, it's basically our set. Oh and I love the drawing of me that another one of our "Royal Children" drew. I will reference it again later.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
I practice with my whip before the show.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Leaving stage right, over the cross-over hallway and into my dressing room. Yes, it's really just right off stage. Thank goodness.
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Our awesome Stage Manager Lori!
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At my dressing room table. An actor prepares... or at least tries to look like it.
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All of my costumes.
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Okay! Before...
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... after!
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Me and my dresser Steve. He rocks. Please note... I do have pants on. It's hot in Siam but not that hot.
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Almost ready to go on stage for the show. Just doing some last-minute humidifier breathing.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
The amazing Philly theatre star Jeff Coon. You need to see his "Sir Edward Ramsay."
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
The talented actor/guitarist Greg as "Captain Orton." We salute each other as part of my pre-show routine.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Some of the amazing and beautiful Royal Wives: Yumiko, Rumi, Minami and Rei.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Our musical director Doug on the monitor off stage right. I believe he is getting the "go" to start the show.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
A view of the beautiful set from offstage.
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Here are JP and Rommel warming up their bodies for the Act II ballet. Please note that the leopard skin JP is wearing is not part of his costume... I think it was one of those huggie blankets.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
My "Son" Chulalongkorn, played by Noah. Obviously he did not get the balding gene from his father.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
The door of two of my castmates Angelica-Lee and Manna. They are into the Holiday Spirit.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
... I mean check out the inside of their room. Angelica is demonstrating the music box above her head while Manna, who plays Tuptim, enjoys the demonstration.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Do your homework! I love how Angelica does her research. Details, details, details. THIS is why I love working with her!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Tuptim, King and Lady Thiang. I have been working with these ladies in numerous different shows this past year and half! Let's hope we have more. Anyone need us for a show?
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
After the end of Act 1, I go back to my dressing room to do another workout during intermission. TRX rocks!!!!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Remember how I said I would reference this picture again? Well here is the "Drawing Me" and...
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... this is the real me! Close resemblance? Well except for the fact that I am kicking my hip to the right.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
During break some of the guys like to play bannagrams. You can do it Alan, Adam and Jee!
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Some people used the bannagrams to build a replica of our set. I believe cast member Julian did this. Pretty cool huh?! Well except for the fact that I look like E.T. here.
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Right before Act II Paul, Rommel and Julian like to rehearse moves from the ballet... and sometimes some other moves. Julian has some breakdancing to dish out.
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Hamming it up before Act II.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
When I have downtime I have also been known to play Minecraft. So sad, but so addicting!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Here I am with the star of the show Rachel York! I am so lucky to work with such an AMAZING actress. Thanks Rachel for making my job easy and the experience priceless!
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A pic with the amazing Chelsea and Amy (who work on Public Relations for WST), me and Manna and our brilliant costume designer Colleen. This is right after a radio interview.
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Here is Patrick Niedo, author of the book "Histoires de comédies musicales." He came all the way from France to see our show! Thanks for the visit Patrick!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
I run back to the hotel after the show to prepare for a trip back to NYC on our day off.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
At 30th Street Station to take the Amtrak back to NYC.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Back in NY, looking out my window at the West Side Highway, Pier 72 and the Hudson. A nice day off to recharge and catch up on home life.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
Taking the bus back. 34th and 8th, I know you so well. This bus saves me some money. And it has...
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.. PLUGS AND INTERNET! I can watch some Netflix on the way back to work.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
I miss being home in NYC but am so thankful for the amazing show, cast, crew and production waiting for me back in Philly.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
I'm so thankful for the work I have found here for 6 months. I love NYC, but I have fallen in love with Philadelphia and the Walnut Street Theatre. Thanks again, City of Brotherly Love.
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
And thanks King and I for giving my "King" life here in Philadelphia. We run through the 8th. Come see us if you're in town. 'Til next time!
Mel Sagrado Maghuyop
