First-rate cast in Repertory Philippines’ “The Sound of Music”

Repertory Philippines’ (REP) new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s stage classic “The Sound of Music,” which is slated to open at REP’s Globe Theater at Onstage, Greenbelt One, Makati City, Manila on Nov. 11 will highlight performances of some of the biggest names in Philippine theater, opera and cinema.

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Monique Wilson will alternate in the role of Maria, the novice who falls in love with her employer.

Menchu has played some of the greatest roles in musical theater since she was first cast as one the seven children in REP’s first production of “The Sound of Music.” She went on to play lead roles in “West Side Story,” “Passion,” “Evita,” “The Baker’s Wife,” “Company,” “Into The Woods,” “Oliver,” “Les Miserables,” “The Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Man Of La Mancha,” among others. She also played Ellen in the Manila production of “Miss Saigon” and has played many roles with Actor’s Actors, Inc.—the latest as Ezrulie in “Once On This Island.”

Monique, also after appearing as one of the seven children in the first REP production of “The Sound of Music,” went on to do other roles until she was chosen to be one of the lead players in the original London cast of Cameron Mackintosh’s “Miss Saigon.” Her last two appearances in Manila were in the New Voice Company’s productions of “Cabaret” and “Aspects of Love.” She resides in London but will return to Manila to do “The Sound of Music.”

Joining the cast to sing the beautiful aria “Climb Every Mountain” is one of Manila’s well-known opera singer Camille Lopez-Molina and movie/recording/musical theater artist Pinky Marquez.

Audie Gemora and Michael Williams --two of Manila’s best-known musical theater stalwarts will alternate in the role of Captain Von Trapp just as they alternated in the role of Don Quixote in last year’s “Man of La Mancha.”

Movie actress Cherie Gil, who was seen recently in the Manila production of Tony-winning play “Doubt,” will alternate with Cannes Film Festival’s Best Supporting Actress nominee Rina Reyes as the baroness opposite Miguel Faustmann and Bonggoy Manahan who will alternate in the role of Max.

Philippine Theatre icon Baby Barredo, who essayed the role of Maria twice before, will direct this new production.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music,” which will run until Dec. 17, is a production of Repertory Philippines, The City of Makati, and The Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Professor Arturo Molina, with artistic grants from Globe Telecom and Ayala Cinemas.

For information on performance dates, curtain time, and ticket prices call Manila at (632) 8870710 or check out TicketWorld at www.ticketworld.com.ph. Some dates are still open for fundraisers or other special performances.

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