“Doe a deer, a female deer…Ray, a drop of golden sun, Me a name, I call myself, far…a long long way to run…”
“Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes…When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.”
I guess you were singing while reading the lyrics above. Who wouldn’t sing or at least hum with Maria’s melodic music? You don’t need to fly miles away to Austria to relive the 1959 Broadway musical, “Sound of Music”, which was then popularized by Julie Andrews’ film in 1965. Resorts World Manila production brings to Manila one of the most awarded and beloved musicals of all time, “Sound of Music.”
The iPhone/iPad generation may be frowning right now. Search it on the web, listen to the music, or better yet, watch the musical and you’ll understand why it was such a hit—That is, if you love music. Before Glee, there was the Sound of Music. Here’s a scene of Julie Andrews in the film.
When the curtain opened at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, the heavenly voices of the sisters set the mood. I was in awe. Mother Abbess played by Pinky Marquez stood out among the sisters. She was fantastic!
The lead character, Maria, played by Cris Villonco (Joanna Ampil is the main character while Cris is her alternate), showed her energetic vibe matched with her powerful voice.
Pinky Amador (Baroness Elsa Schraeder) and Audie Gemora (Georg von Trapp ) also showed stellar performance. I didn’t know Ms. Amador sings.
Maria and Mother Abbess’ duet of “My Favorite Things” was hair-raising. Goosebumps. I couldn’t help but sing with them in my seat. That’s my favorite song in the musical!
But what excite me the most was when Maria finally went to the home of the von Trapp family and met the seven kids. The kids were wonderful especially the little one, Gretl.
Gretl von Trapp
Atasha Muhlach, daughter of Aga and Charlene Muhlach, is also one of the cast as Brigitta but her alternate (forgot the name) played the role last night. Nonetheless, the assertive Brigitta was also notable in the performance.
The musical was not only pleasant to the ears but also, a visual feast. The set design assisted by video animation displayed on LED screen modernized the “Sound of Music.” The view of the mountains, the garden, and the streets of Austria were stunning. One couldn’t help but say, Wow!
The scene closed with the song, “Climb every mountain.” The lyrics said it all:
Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
Till you find your dream.
Curtain Call time. The whole cast directed their hands to their right and left. The curtain opened and revealed the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra who were behind the amazing music. They played it LIVE!
If you love the music and have three hours to spare, then catch the play until December 11, 2011. But sometimes, music can make you fall asleep. Just like Marky Go of Nomadicexperiences.com who slept at the middle part of the play.
“So long farewell, I hate to say goodbye…”
Schedules:
8:00pm- Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
3:00pm & 8:00pm- Saturdays
3:00pm- Sundays
Where to buy tickets:
- Ticketworld
- Resorts World Manila Box Office- www.rwmanila.com
How to go to Resorts World:
- The Cheaper way via jeepney and tricycle- Fare: Php 16.00 or Php 8.00
From Edsa MRT, exit towards the left (northbound vehicles). Beside Chowking & Sogo, there’s a terminal of jeepneys going to Nichols. Ride the jeepney & alight at the Barangay Hall across NAIA Terminal 3 and the imposing sculpture in the rotonda.
From the barangay hall (the one painted in light green), you can either walk to Resorts World (around 15-20 minutes) or ride a tricycle. We can’t find a trike last night so we just walked. It’s good for the health, after all. 
- The hassle-free but expensive way to go: Take a cab
From Makati, it would cost you around Php 150-200
From Edsa MRT- it would cost you around Php 100 (This is okay if you’re in a group of three or more)
Flag down rate is Php 40.00. The fare depends on the speed of the cab and the traffic that you’re going to meet along the way.
Other Notes: Picture-taking is NOT ALLOWED. All photos here are courtesy of Resorts World Manila except for the ticket photo.
***
Thanks to Possibly Pinay’s Eileen Campos invitation to watch the musical. Also, thanks to Marco of Pinoymanila.com for orienting Trip@dora and Ivan Cultura on how to go to Resorts World Manila the cheaper way possible.
