'West Side Story' Manila Review Excerpts

"In fact, sitting in the cold Meralco theater and watching her (Vilar) breathe fire into her character, I was reminded me of what makes theater persist, or what makes it always relevant, difficult times notwithstanding. It's love for the art. It's "hatred" for anything that squashes your freedom to express yourself. It's passion." - Althea Ricardo, Freeman Cebu

"Isa sa mga hindi malilimutang theater musicals of all time, gusto naming batiin ang grupo ng Stages nina Audie Gemora at Carlo Orosa para sa makabagong bersyon ng West Side Story. Sandaling magsasara ang telon para rito upang muling magbukas sa susunod na taon." - Archie de Calma, Pinoyparazzi

"West Side Story was a worthwhile experience that drizzly otherwise lazy afternoon. I wouldn’t mind watching it again — and again" - Ricky Lo, The Philippine Star

"West End star Joanna Ampil, in her Manila debut, is splendid as a willful young Maria, her soprano finding powerful emotive footing in Leonard Bernstein's peerless music.

Australia-based Rowena Vilar, completely unknown here until four weeks ago, can now say goodbye to anonymity with her explosive turn as Anita.

A fine singer and a spectacular dancer, Vilar's line extensions in the fizzy "America" number are a wonder to behold. And when she duets with Ampil—the show's two strongest performers dramatizing "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" through character, melody and lyric—the show reaches its shivery, glowing peak." - Gibbs Cadiz, Philippine Daily Inquirer

"Congratulations, director Menchu Lauchengco, and thank you, Stages Management Team (Audie Gemora, producer, Butch Jimenez, Stella Sison, and Alvin Trono) for bringing this ambitious but very well-put together production on our local stage! - Deedee Siytangco. Manila Bulletin

"...to finally hear Joanna [Ampil] sing was an amazing experience. She was a perfect soprano. You know, even before the performance starts, that she’s someone who will bring to the table the same quality that she would in any other location." - Karla Maquiling, Pinoycentric.com

" Rowena [Vilar] not only possesses a good singing voice, she can really kick up a storm on the dance floor, too." - Jennifer Pena, The Philippine Star


"The FILharmoniKA led by Gerard Salonga were flawless in their execution of Bernstein's excellent music. I think full Broadway musicals should always be played by a complete orchestra. There is a feeling of richness and fullness that come with it and that's what theater-going audiences look for — the feeling of a live performance, not just from the actors but from the musicians as well...

I was blown away with the amazing and electrifying performances by Joanna Ampil and Rowena Vilar." - Michelle Katigbak, The Philippine Star

"The biggest surprise of the evening, however, came from Australian-born Rowena Vilar who plays the role of Anita. Vilar electrifies every scene she is in simply through her presence, her verve and her total commitment to character...

Without a doubt, this is THE theater event of the year and should be watched by an even greater number of people before its theatrical run ends." - David Dizon, ABS-CBNNews.Com

"Joanna [Ampil] sparkles when she sings, exhibiting considerable vocal skill and sensitivity in “I Feel Pretty” and other numbers. Christian [Bautista] excites and holds audience attention steadfastly, particularly in “Tonight” and “Something’s Coming"...

The concerted, collective effort over which Menchu [Yulo] casts an all-seeing eye, leads to a tightly integrated spectacle that is sizzling, sparkling total theater." - Rosalinda Orosa, The Philippine Star

"Karylle seemed to have been made for the role of Maria...This production has preserved the essence of the "West Side Story" I loved as a child and I am very sure its creators would be very proud. My compliments to the entire production." - Marie Lu, Getzmo.Com

" Vocals...is this show's strong suit, and in numbers like Tonight and A Boy Like That/I Have a Love this West Side Story delivers on the glowing, shivery ardor. A praiseworthy directorial debut by Menchu Launchengco-Yulo. " - Gibbs Cadiz, The Philippine Daily Inquirer

"Theater is thriving too!...Director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo has done a fantastic job showing off the singing and acting prowess of her young cast." - Tessa Prieto Valdes, The Philippine Daily Inquirer

"...a wondrous tribute to Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, and a mighty statement of our own thespians' talents." - Cheekie Albay, Yehey.Com

"Stages Production shows that the team can pull off a musical as grand and demanding as 'West Side Story.' It is evident that Stages invested a lot in this production — from the cast to the costumes to the set. Every aspect is world-class." - Michael Kho Lim, Daily Tribune

"'West Side Story' has often been hailed as groundbreaking in its unprecedented marriage of the individual arts of music, movement and words. Indeed, the same can be said of our homegrown 'West Side Story,' as it marries the best of Filipino talents culled from all corners of the world. And seeing how 'West Side Story' succeeds in making us all feel proud to be Filipino..." - Jennifer Cuaycong, BusinessWorld

"This production is as close to a Broadway production of this show as you can get. I saw it some years ago in a revival on Broadway and this production I rate as fantastic. The dancing was first class, the singing, specially that of the principals, was wonderful...

You have to see (Rowena) Vilar, who was born in Australia, in the role of Anita. She is spectacular...

Christian Bautista has got the voice to play the role of Tony. He also can act and dance. What more can one ask for this role? He’s got it all." - Juan Antonio Lanuza, Business World

"Joanna wasn't just a technically gifted singer. She was also a smashing actress, able to squeeze out the marrow from her characterization of Maria." - Joseph Cortes, Business Mirror

"Expect explosive dancing and excellent vocals from the performers of West Side Story. Christian Bautista is truly a gifted singer...

Karylle hits her high notes with ease and she looks radiant as she does it." - Jocelyn Dimaculangan, Pep.Ph

"Magaling si Karylle at buo ang boses. At kung nung una ay natakot pa ako na hindi makayanan ng boses ni Christian ang demand ng kanyang role, wala pala akong dapat ipag-alala, kayang-kaya niya ang role niya." - German Moreno, Pilipino Star Ngayon

"Karylle, as Maria, was a revelation that night. She was at her best both in acting and singing. Her portrayal of the lead character was so effective that the audience almost forgot that she was the daughter of Zsa Zsa Padilla." - Joey Aquino, People's Journal

"Much of this has to be credited to director Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, whose familiarity with the material must stem from the fact that she was Maria in Repertory Philippines’ 1981 production. The large cast moves with amazing certainty, given that the producers had to find performers who could act, sing and dance. In the words of Audie Gemora, Stages producer, they had to “teach the actors how to sing and dance, and the dancers how to sing and act.”

Again, the performances, of both leads and ensemble made me marvel at—to use a sports metaphor—how “deep” is the “bench” of Filipino theater artists. Given the demands of a big production like “West Side Story,” producers seem able to find new, unknown faces in the unlikeliest of places.

But acknowledgment must also be given to the willingness of a big pop star like Bautista who, with his hit records, regular TV shows and even fan base abroad, didn’t need to spend two months rehearsing for the musical; or a West End actor like Ampil to drop all other commitments and fly home just to show her country what she can do.

Gratitude is seldom a sentiment we owe performers. All we have to do is to enjoy the show. But for bringing us this world-class production ahead of an anticipated Broadway revival, all we can say is “thank you.” - Rina Jimenez-David, The Philippine Daily Inquirer

"Joanna's beauty, acting, and her agile, warm voice are still as much joy as when I watched her star in Les Miserables in the '90s in London where she is based. Such high extension as Joanna's is a gift rather than developed, as told to me by the late director and conductor of the National Philharmonic, Redentor Romero, who adored F-surpassing coloraturas. I heard him say that "the difference between one [like Joanna] with such rare leggiero quality and the lower mezzo is $20,000 in fee."

And Christian Bautista as Tony. What a heartthrob! Beautiful acting, so handsome, so natural." - Dahli Aspillera, Malaya

"Joana Ampil's version of Maria in the latest production of Stages of the classic Broadway musicale 'West Side Story' will not disappoint audiences expecting to experience a grand West End type musicale." - Edsel Lorete, Daily Tribune

"'West Side Story' is truly impressive! Casting is simply super. The group's overall impact has that oomph. They are successful in capturing the drama, in giving most scenes a tang, and in bringing the verve onstage and to the audience...If I were to describe the musical in a few words, let me sing a line from Tony's song titled "Maria": 'The most beautiful sound I ever heard...I'll never forget.'" - Karen A. Pagsolingan, Pep.Ph

"Mayroon kayong isang buwan para panoorin ang "West Side Story"...Ito ay isang palabas na 'di dapat paligtasin." - Ernie Pecho, PM tabloid