West Side Story Manila – 10 Things You Should Know Before Going on a West Side Story Romantic Date

Christian Bautista invites you to watch West Side Story Manila!

Our Awesome Planet in partnership with Ticket2Me invites you to the Saturday Opening Night of West Side Story Manila!
September 6, 2008,Opening Saturday Night 8pm at the Meralco Theater, Ortigas, Pasig

Buy Your West Side Story Tickets Now from OAP!

West Side Story Manila. (Click–>Seat Plan) Reserve Your Best Seats Now!

Orchestra and Loge Center ($26) ~ P1,200
Orchestra and Loge Sides ($22) ~ P1,000
Balcony Center ($15) ~ P 700
Balcony Sides ($11) ~ P 500
It is cheaper to buy online! All Major Credit Cards accepted.
Credit Card charges would be based on prevailing exchange rate. (see BSP Exchange Rate)

Email me: anton@diaz.ph or call me +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627) to order and pay via Bank Deposit

Related Posts: West Side Story Complete List of Direct Show Buyers

10 Things You Should Know Before Going on a West Side Story Romantic Date

1. First, one should know what West Side Story is all about.
West Side Story is one of the most popular storylines based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Two feuding street gangs – the Jets and the Sharks – are on a collision course in the gritty slums of New York City. Out of the chaos, a passionate romance blooms between Tony and Maria, teenagers caught on opposite sides of the turf war. But can they find a place for their love amid the prejudice and turmoil that surrounds them?

2. Why should you watch it?
“West Side Story” is one of the greatest musicals of all-time with music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is a beautiful, dramatic dance musical with many show-stopping numbers and immortal songs like “Maria,” “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” “One Hand One Heart,” “America,” and “Something’s Coming.” It was the winner of 10 Academy Awards and two Tony Awards.

3. Why are people raving about the cast members of West Side Story Manila?
“West Side Story,” STAGES’ major musical offering in 2008, is all set to go on stage with an assembly of a strong cast headlined by Christian Bautista, Karylle, and London West End’s Joanna Ampil; and a first-rate artistic team with Audie Gemora as executive producer, and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as director.
Balladeer Christian Bautista is given the role of Tony. He is tall, handsome, and has the makings of a perfect romantic leading man. Singer and actress Karylle could match Natalie Wood’s film version of Maria. She is young, beautiful and sings her songs with utmost conviction. Meanwhile, the Philippines will get the rare chance to watch Joanna Ampil in her first musical theater assignment in Manila after sixteen years playing lead roles in London.

4. Why are people excited about Joanna Ampil?
Just think about Lea Salonga is to Broadway while Joanna Ampil is to London’s West End. Joanna has agreed to share the role of Maria with Karylle because she has long wanted to perform for her “kababayans” who cannot easily afford to go to London to watch her in a musical. She just finished her stint in Les Miserables in London’s West End. Local audiences have to see why Joanna is a favorite of British producer Cameron Mackintosh. Joanna, at one time, was even handpicked by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to play Mary Magdalene in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” (Nobody knows which dates she will be playing.)

(Related Posts: Audie Gemora explains How West Side Story Manila Cast Joanna Ampil .)

5. This is the second time West Side Story is played in Manila.
“West Side Story” was first staged in Manila back in 1982 with Audie as Riff and Menchu as Maria. This Manila re-staging will precede a Broadway revival in 2009. 2008 is the 50th year anniversary of West Side Story!

6. Who produced the show?

“West Side Story” Manila is produced by Audie Gemora’s STAGES production which will run this coming September and October 2008. It is their third major musical production after “Footloose” in 2005 and “High School Musical On Stage” in 2007.

Since “West Side Story” is primarily a dance musical, the artistic team had to call professional dance groups, and handpick very strong dancers for the supporting cast. Rest assured that the show would be a night of great dancing. Jazz choreographer James Laforteza is tasked to reconstruct Jerome Robbins’ original choreography in the Broadway production.

It is interesting to note that musical director Gerard Salonga has been longing to do “West Side Story.” Lea Salonga’s husband Rob Chien, who now manages the FILharmoniKA orchestra under Ambient Media, went the extra mile to make it possible for them to play for the production.

7. Where do you eat before the show?
There is no restaurant in Meralco Theater so you can either go to Podium, Robinsons Galleria, Metrowalk or the restaurant rows near Medical City. Have dinner at around 6pm and be sure to be at the Meralco Theater 30 minutes before the show. It is usually traffic around that area so allot ample time to navigate through the traffic. There are plenty of parking spaces available at Meralco Theater.

8. What is the attire?
Usually theater goers in Manila wear casual chic. Jeans are usually OK and you can wear coat and tie if you want. The key is that your attire matches with your partner. Bring jacket.

9. If it is your first time watching a musical play, remember to keep these etiquette in mind:
– Be on time. No excuses. Since Meralco theater is big, you will be disturbing a lot of people when you are late.
– Put your mobile phone on silent mode or turn it off during the duration of the show.
– Sit quietly and don’t disturb others. Talking or humming the songs during the show is a sign of discourtesy to your seat mates.
– Go easy on the perfume. People go to the show to watch it and not to smell your strong perfume.
– Don’t forget your breath fresheners. Or just watch out what you eat during dinner. Avoid eating food with lots of garlic and onions.

10. Listen to the songs first before watching the play.
Make sure to listen to the songs “Maria,” “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” “One Hand One Heart,” “America,” and “Something’s Coming.” You will be more involved with the show and appreciate the performance of our Filipino artists.

Our Awesome Planet in partnership with Ticket2Me invites you to the Saturday Opening Night of West Side Story Manila!
September 6, 2008,Opening Saturday Night 8pm at the Meralco Theater, Ortigas, Pasig

Buy Your West Side Story Tickets Now from OAP!

West Side Story Manila. Seat Plan: Reserve Your Best Seats Now!

Orchestra and Loge Center (1,200)
Orchestra and Loge Sides (P1,000)
Balcony Center (P 700)
Balcony Sides (P 500)

Email me: anton@diaz.ph or call me +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627) to order and pay via Bank Deposit

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.

P.S. Have you ever wondered how to become a sponsor in the souvenir program of West Side Story? You still have a chance to sponsor before the end of July. Download this West Side Story Souvenir Program Letter.