CH180: Phantom of the Opera

Last Friday, my best friend from the Philippines was supposed to come over for a short weekend in Singapore. She signed up for a Citibank credit card which entitled her to redeem free round-trip tickets. Unfortunately, there was a mishap with the arrangement and she wasn't able to get on her flight. She only realized about the mishap when she was already in the airport (late from the usual Manila traffic).

What happened? Well, apparently, she got charged with some amount relating to travel tax or airport tax on her credit card. She thought it was an unauthorized transaction and panicked and had her card blocked and the charge disputed. In turn, after all the brouhaha, she realized at the airport when she missed her flight that, that was why her booking got cancelled. No use pointing the finger though :).

So, with her cancellation, I panicked because I had to find someone to go with me and purchase the ticket and come along with me. Thankfully, my friend Angelo was available! :)

How did I like Phantom of the Opera? Well, it was amazing - but not Wicked amazing. Wicked is for sure my benchmark for theater/musical productions. For both productions, I was not familiar with any of the songs nor the story. But I found (still) Wicked to have moved me more (to some tears during Defying Gravity pre-intermission, and at the end). Whereas with Phantom of the Opera - despite two glasses of Chardonnay I had, when the emotion was finally building up with the Phantom's drama sequence - the show ended. I thought there would have been 5-10 more minutes before it ended - but end it did.

To put in perspective the songs/soundtrack, etc of Phantom, I'd say, Wicked will have to be #1 overall. I like the tracks of Les Mis more than Phantom. Although, this is not to say it was bad. But I think my taste for music is not as refined (yet? maybe hahaha) as to appreciate the soprano's vocal acrobatics and Opera-like singing.

In terms of the costumes, set design, props etc, I'd say, it was really impressive. It gave of an authentic Parisian-grandoise vibe. As I posted on my timeline, watching Phantom only reinforced my desire to see Europe before I turn the big 3-0. No particular reason really for the before age hahaha, just making sure I have ample time to actually save and accumulate the necessary resource for funding.

If you can watch Phantom of the Opera, I'd still say go go go! One can never have enough exposure to musicals, theater plays, art, whatnot. Don't just nourish your body with food and gym! Nourish your soul!Hahaha. Not! But, yes, I think, watching musicals culture and enrich us to be our better selves. The same way I believe the same for books and reading literature when time permits.

[Review] Stomp

Yesterday, my mum, dad and I went to see the show Stomp in Marina Bay Sands Theater. I got us VIP tickets as if I know it right, it will be my dad's first time to go see a show like it (as far as i know and remember). My mum has experience watching such shows as I remember when I was younger she watched "The King and I" with me in a Trumpet production (I think) in Meralco theater. When I was working already,  we went to see a Cirque like show in Resorts World Manila. Also, I remember getting us (mum, sister and I) front row tickets to watch the Repertory Philippine's take on "Sweeney Todd." So...I've said too much. The point being was that it was my dad's first time, and my mum's (almost seemingly first time) first time as well. So I told myself to just get the most expensive ticket as I don't get to pamper the both of them as often.

Stomp was amazing! As I was watching it, I tried to match it up with other "stage productions" that I have seen - and I came to the conclusion that it's definitely one of the top 5. In no particular order, I would say that the other productions would be: Wicked, Lion King, Mamma Mia, Sweeney Todd (and Stomp). I won't go into the details to compare all the 5 in detail. But just to share the other productions I have seen to give you an idea that not all would be in the same category if classified:

1. Spider-Man: Turn off the dark

2. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe - this was when I was still in gradeschool/highschool (I dont quite remember) by Trumpets Inc at Meralco Theater

3. Joseph the Dreamer - I think I had to write a paper about this for school as it was required (also by Trumpets Inc at Meralco Theater)

4. The King and I - My sister's ex-boyfriend used to work for Meralco so he got free tickets for us

5. Avenue Q

6. Dirty Dancing

7. Viva Forever - Yes, CP and I watched this West End show in London with my insistence. The other option was the Bodyguard and I am not really aware of Whitney's songs except the really popular ones - whose titles I can't even remember at the moment.

8. Cirque-ish shows - I remember ID in Marina Bay Sands, but I don't quite remember the one I saw before in RW Manila

Of note, what I loved about Stomp (I'm not a theater expert or what) - was the lack of "active" musical direction - to which I mean, there's no conductor or what. Researching it online, references say they are a percussion group - so a band then in a way. But, I appreciate the fact that for the whole show and production to meld and make itself concrete, there would have been numerous rehearsals to get all the timing right.

The wide array of instruments (non traditional - as in to say a trash can, a matchbox, lighters (to light fags: the british term for cigarettes :-)), broomsticks, etc etc) they used to create the music they created is beyond awe. There is no story, no singing, no words, no drama, just the music they were making with different sort of pseudo-percussions they had and bits of comedy to stimulate the audience (with very young kids when we went).

Stomp was uncomplicated to experience. I think that's why my mum and dad enjoyed it as well. It was simple, easy to watch and understand. I meant uncomplicated as in to compare it to Wicked (admittedly still the best production I've ever seen) where there is no story to comprehend, no characters to dissect, no vocal  spectacle, no high notes anticipating to be reached, nothing. 

I'm really glad we got to watch the last performance they had scheduled in Singapore. I would say that it was worth every penny!