Above, under & beyond the rainbow: Theater Review: KPANLL the Repeat, Now at Onstage

After a near month break from a successful run at the PETA Theater in Quezon City, Dalanghita Production brings back the much talked about Filipino musical of 2015, Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady (KPANLL) to its new home, Onstage at Greenbelt 1 in Makati City.

With the same powerful production team and some new cast members, KPANLL is set to win the hearts of the viewing theater public. Same music, same dances, bigger space, higher energy, powerful singing voices and more vivid lights, this production is a must-see for those who missed it during its first run! To those who wishes to see it again (for the nth time), you might find some minor changes or differences in terms of lines/dialogues. According to playwright Carlo Vergara, he did edited out some dialogues in the whole musical, about 8 pages worth of dialogues, to help shorten it.

Voices from Frenchie Dy, Hans Eckstein, Natasha Cabrera welcomed the media people during the press preview performance, along that of the new cast members. Their performances were commendable despite the adjustments that they all have to make; performance adjustments coming from the trimmed script, bigger stage area, new members and former members of the ensemble now doing support roles (Fuwerza Filipinas/ Kayumanggilas roles). Similar to the previous press preview in PETA Theater, I get to feel the length of the musical – it could be due to jitters, familiarization of the stage area and that of new co-actors they are interacting with. I hope they get to bring back that playful energy which I have witnessed after the press preview event during their PETA run. Do I like the new members of the cast (new and “promoted” former members of the ensemble)? They show promise is all I could say.

Hans Eckstein as Leading Man

Hans Eckstein is still my Leading Man! I will state again what I have mentioned in my review made during their PETA run . . . Hans Eckstein’s voice reminds me of the various Prince Charming voices of Disney. He truly is Leading Man and chances are you would wish to be his leading lady when you get to hear him sing!

If you are to ask me as to who is my favorite between Bituin Escalante and Frenchie Dy for the role of Mely, my answer is both of them. Why? Because they are both good! Bituin’s interpretation is that of a jaded individual or someone who has encased her heart in ice faced again with love, while Frenchie’s interpretation is someone who was hurt and vowed not to love again but deep inside wishes for her prince to come. The presentation may be different but the needed emotional interpretation and depth is there! Same can be said between Kim Molina and Natasha Cabrera. They are both good plus they nearly have the same voice timbre and quality! If you are not familiar with either one of them, you might mistake one for the other. Not because they are twins, which they are not, but because they have a near to similar projection on stage.

If you love the PETA run then you will love the Onstage set-up more due to a clearer lights display. Don’t get me wrong, I love the light plot done during the PETA run but because of the space in Onstage, you get to see more details from the same light plot. I love John Batalla’s creative mind when it comes to light designs! My only concern is the size of the stage. Because of the size, I felt disconnected somehow from the performers. I know this is not a Breck piece wherein the 4^th wall is torn down, so the disconnection is somehow right but I think it is because of the way the sound travels in both venues – one envelopes while the other simply flows.

If watching the musical is not enough for you, then you can also get a copy of the Original Cast Recording which is being sold at the front of the house. You now get to enjoy the music, all songs + 2 sets of cast recording, where ever you may go and be.

Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady will run for three weekends until July 23, 2015. The show starts promptly at 8 p.m. (Friday-Satiurday). Matinee shows (Saturday-Sunday) start at 3 p.m.

For bulk reservations, show buys, and inquiries, call or text at mobile number 0998-5311389 or send email to dalanghitaproductions@gmail.com. For tickets, please call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph

Connect to Dalanghita Productions online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DalanghitaProductions

www.facebook.com/LeadingLadyTheMusical

Twitter: @dalanghitaprod

Instagram: @dalanghitaprod

Photos:

(All photos used were personally taken by me during the press preview. If you wish to see my complete photo compilation [album], go to the Facebook page of Above, Under and Beyond the Rainbow)