Wicked & Phenomenal
Even if I’ve seen it six times in different parts of the world, I still enjoy watching the Broadway and West End musical phenomenon Wicked.
It is a delight to know that after its successful run in Manila in 2014, Wicked is heading back here again in February 2017. The musical, named by the Daily Mail
UK as “one of the greatest musicals of our time,” will be coming direct f rom a multirecord- breaking tour of the UK and Ireland and will call The Theatre at Solaire its home for a special limited run in Manila.
I was lucky enough to be invited recently to preview
Wicked in Singapore before its restaging in Manila next year.
Wicked is playing its 13th year on Broadway to packed houses. It celebrated its 10th anniversary this year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London’s West End. Around the world, Wicked has been seen by over 50 million people in 14 countries, and is the recipient of more than 100 major awards, including three Tony Awards and six Drama Desk Awards on Broadway, two Olivier Awards and nine WhatsOnStage Awards in London, six Helpmann Awards in Australia and a Grammy Award.
The musical has been translated from its original English into Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese. The New York
Times said it was “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster.” While according to the Time Out
London: “Wicked will entrance every generation in wonder, wit and suspense.”
Wicked, based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, is the untold tale of the witches of Oz, a re-imagining of L. Frank Baum’s stories and characters in his book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and popular. Wicked tells the story of how these two unlikely friends g row to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Gl inda the Good.
The musical, with music and lyrics by multi Grammy and Academy Award-winner
Stephen Schwartz ( Godspell, Disney’s Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame), was adapted for the stage by
Winnie Holzman. Musical staging is by Tony Awardwinner Wayne Cilento and the production is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello. Wicked is produced around the world by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Plat ta nd David Stone. Executive producer for the UK/ international tour is Michael McCabe. The Manila engagement is presented by Lunch box Theatrical Productions and Concertus Manila. Headed by James
Cundall , Lunchbox Theatrical Productions is one of Australasia’ s leading producers of live entertainment. Over the last two decades, it has created a reputation for bringing top quality inter national productions to audiences across five continents.
Since 1998, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions has brought a wide array of live entertainment to Singapore,
including musicals The Phantom of the Opera, Dirty Dancing, Annie, Chicago, Cats, We Will
Rock You and Miss Saigon. The company is based in the UK with companies in Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.
Founded in 2004, Concert us is one of the leading promoters of live entertainment in the Philippines. It is a full-service production company with a reputation for excellence, creativity and passion in numerous concerts, musical and theatrical shows, both local and international. ( Wicked opens on Feb. 2, 2017 at The Theatre at Solaire. Tickets are now on sale at ticketworld.com.ph and all TicketWorld outlets. For bookings and more information, call 891-9999.)
Ice cream lovers joined a fun and exciting celebration as well- loved ice cream brand Ba skinRobbins opened its 14 th branch at B 8, B on if ac io High Street, Taguig City.
In celebration of the store’s grand opening, a sprawling tent was set up to create the feel of an ice cream festival. With booths like“Waffle Wonderland” and “Fundae Sundae,” as well as a face-painting activity and a balloon station, kids and adults alike enjoyed the event.
Special guests and people who happened to be strolling along High Street were treated to unlimited ice cream in various new flavors like Choco Choco Chip cheese cake, Love Potion 31 Dark and Crème Brûlée. Guests were able to customize their own freshly baked colored waffle cone sin shapes like waffle tacos, fortune cookies and waffle bowls.
Inside the store, customers were treated to a special one-time offer of s coops for on ly P31. There were long lines of customers excited to avail themselves of the day’s special promotion. The activities included a performance by the UP Dance Company and a meet-and-greet with the Baskin- Robbins mascot.
Michael Dargani , president of Ice Dream Inc ., exclusive licensee of Baskin- Robbins in the Philippines, said, “We are grateful that the grand opening celebration of our new Bonifacio High Street store was wellat tended and enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. This is exactly what Ba skinRobbins is all about with its wide appeal and flavor variety—it’ s got something for everyone!”
Apart from premium hard scoop ice cream, the newest branch also features customized ice cream cake sand a full range of frozen beverages. ( For more informat ion, visit www. bask inrobbins. ph and facebook . com/ bask inrobbinsph.) (Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)