Into the Woods Manila Philippines Closing

It has been fifteen years since Into the Woods had been performed in Manila, according to Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, who played the Baker’s wife in the recently concluded New Voice Company 2007 production.

Last night, 08 December 2007, was the closing night of a short ten performance run at the Music Museum, and, incidentally, my third time to watch Into the Woods, because I knew the possibility of watching this magnificent play may not come my way again for a very long time. To quote Sondheim, “Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor.”

As Director Rito Asilo thanked me warmly for the help that I’ve given Into the Woods, all I can say truthfully is, “I LOVE Into the Woods.”

My love was translated into pulling others to watch the play by becoming a block buyer for the 17 November 2007 show of Into the Woods, and making sure there were reviews and
posts about it by inviting press people (aside from New Voice invitees) and internet writers to the opening night last 09 November 2007.

Not only do I love the brilliant Stephen Sondheim play, but my roots are entrenched in New Voice history as I was fortunate enough to be in one of their earliest plays, Angels in America, alternating in the role of Harper with New Voice Artistic Director and Founder Monique Wilson. Director Rito Asilo actually remembers watching me in Angels in America, and was teasing me about acting for theatre again.

Incidentally, that’s how I met Director Bobby Garcia of Atlantis Productions, who is co-directing Avenue Q Manila with Chari Arespacochaga this December 2007. Director Bobby Garcia helmed Angels in America, also at Music Museum.

The New Voice production of Into the Woods also gave me a chance to touch base with former co-actors Michael Williams, who also starred in Angels in America, the beautiful Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, whom I met in the Repertory Philippines production of The King and I, Mads Nicolas of Dulaang UP’s production of the Tennessee Williams play Camino Real, and a grown up Joaqui Valdes from Trumpets The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe

Past and present intermingling beautifully…