|
By Ricky T. Gallardo
BOBBY GARCIA has, in his own big way, reshaped
local theater productions. Since the time he brought Angels in
America to the Philippines in the nineties, Garcia continues to do
the country proud by not only giving local theater patrons a chance
to see world-class productions but he has also paved the way for
local talents to shine in the international scene.
Garcia has been tasked to lead the powerhouse
production team of the biggest and most lavish musical production of
Rodgers and Hammestein’s Cinderella which will have its world
premiere in Manila on July 29 at the Cultural Center of the
Philippines Main Theater.
Cinderella, a production pegged at $2 million,
will be staged for several weeks in the Philippines before it moves
to other Asian countries like Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore,
Malaysia, Thailand and Korea.
“I guess it’s an honor that this
unforgettable fairy-tale inspired musical production will have its
world premiere in our country. It is also doubly special that our
very own Lea Salonga will play the title role, and our own talented
actors will show the world that the Filipino artist continues to
soar in the theater circuit,” enthuses Garcia whose own Atlantis
Productions has just finished back-to-back projects like Dogeaters
and Avenue Q.
Garcia has worked in various film, television,
stage and concert scenes including notable theater productions such
as BAE’s The King and I, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The
Rocky Horror Show, Jesus Christ Superstar, Rent and Dreamgirls. In
Cinderella, he is setting his eyes on a spectacular production with
elaborate sets, costumes and magical effects.
For a few years, Garcia had to relocate to Hong
Kong when he took on the job as Hong Kong Disneyland’s first show
director when the park opened in 2005. He paved the way for many
Filipino artists like singers, dancers and actors to find fulfilling
and high-compensating jobs in Hong Kong, definitely much, much more
than what they were getting in the Philippines.
“Although Canada is my second home, the
Philippines will always be where my heart is. I am always swept off
by the talent and dedication of the Filipino artist. It’s a little
sad that the conditions present in the local theater scene hardly
compensate well for our world-class artists,” Garcia intones.
Producer Marc Routh of Broadway Asia
Entertainment has only good words for Garcia. “I trust Bobby
completely. He is someone who isn’t only brilliant in terms of
staging big theatrical productions, he also breathes and lives
everything about theater,” Routh muses.
The show is scheduled in July but this early,
reservations for tickets are already being accepted.
|
