Torre directs ‘Katy’

Musicale. Being a text mate, our very own Cebuano diva Dulce (Maritess Llamedo in real life is from Bulacao, Cebu City) has informed me that she is playing an important part in what should be considered as one of this year’s major stage presentations titled Katy. She said that she is playing Olivia, the aging bodabil star whose career abruptly ends with the introduction of Katy (Isay Alvarez) as her replacement. “In this play, I sing Minsan Ang Minahal Ay Ako, the landmark song of the musicale,” Dulce added. Masters. It’s a nice feeling to work with the masters of the stage, Dulce added. I asked her to name them and she texted back the following: Ryan Cayabyab does the music based on Jose Javier Reyes’ libretto. The period costumes are by Fanny Serrano while the Martinez sisters are handling the choreography. Nestor Torre, who also writes an entertainment column, directs Katy. According to Dulce, they want to raise the standard of Filipino musicales and make them world-class artistic presentations. Backgrounder. As a brief backgrounder, we learned that Katy is about the life of Katy de la Cruz, once the highest-paid entertainer in the country. She was also known as the Queen of Filipino Jazz. At any rate, to anyone who can find time to watch Katy, the dates are set on Jan. 17-20 and then Jan. 24-27 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino or Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Dulce also texted that the tickets to the musicale are now available at Ticketworld or you can call 09228986644. Stage plays. This brings us to the local theater scene. We remember that some of our universities here used to present stage plays as vehicles for talented students to shine onstage. There was a time when these schools staged their campus plays almost simultaneously—and we thought that such presentations would be sustained for a long period of time. Sadly, this did not happen. And we understand why. For one, there are logistical problems to hurdle on the part of the producers. Challenge. But we now challenge these universities to continue to present campus plays for the general public, not just for their students. I think potential sponsors would support them and the general public won’t hesitate to watch them as long as they are quality productions. It’s about time campus plays are revived. Guest. Who doesn’t know the talented and lovely songbird named Anna Feji? This singer from Toledo City used to appear on a weekly ABS-CBN show in Manila before she started performing internationally. Well, I have good news for her legions of fans. Anna will be the guest performer in the 33rd Cebu Popular Music Festival this coming Friday, Jan. 18, at the New Cebu Coliseum. Incidentally, she was the best interpreter of this particular competition 11 years ago. So don’t ever miss this event that will start at 8 p.m. As usual, this writer and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Apple Abarquez will host the event. Tickets are now on sale at the president’s office of the University of the Visayas.