LOS ANGELES - On July 11, Lea Salonga becomes the first Filipino performer to have a solo show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall - architect Frank Gehry's billowing steel-clad masterpiece that has become LA's modern landmark and favorite setting of several recent Hollywood movies, including “Iron Man” and “Get Smart.”
In a luncheon reception held at the Founders Room last Thursday, key staff members of the Music Center, of which the iconic concert hall is a part of, announced Lea's concert which also notches another milestone: it is the first in a series of shows titled “Global Pop at the Music Center” which will feature popular performers from around the world.
Since it opened in 2003 as the new home of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra, the hall draws visitors from different countries who are eager to see Gehry's gleaming architectural gem. Every day, there are folks taking pictures of the unique structure from different angles.
Josephine Ramirez, the Music Center's vice president for programming and planning who presided over the announcement in the Founders Room (notable for its inverted-tulip motif ceiling - another distinctive Gehry touch), said the Center is excited to be presenting an award-winning Broadway and pop entertainer like Lea to kick off the “Global Pop” series. She thanked Filipino community leaders, including Joel Jacinto and Winston Emano, for their advice and support.
With its acclaimed acoustics, the concert hall is the perfect venue for Filipinos and other concertgoers to really appreciate the world-class talents of Lea, the only Pinoy artist who made a clean sweep of the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World Awards. This opportunity is akin to Lea's once-in-a-lifetime debut at New York's famed Carnegie Hall in 2005. We were fortunate to have experienced that excellent concert.
Now, here's a rare chance to see the pioneering Filipina performer in a setting that is just as prestigious. Tickets to the show on Friday, July 11 at 8:30 p.m., are available at www.ticketmaster.com or for groups, email globalpop@musiccenter.org.
We highly recommend this show. Every Filipino should experience listening to Lea live, in person, at least once in his lifetime.
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Who knew that Pierce Brosnan, former James Bond, could sing? And we're aware that Meryl Streep could carry a tune, but for her to croon this fabulously?
Mamma Mia, stop the presses! The movie version of the beloved musical is so good!
We just saw “Mamma Mia! The Movie” and we're very happy to report that it's probably one of the best and most enjoyable movie musicals we've seen in recent years. Not since “Chicago” have we watched a film adaptation of a stage musical that really soars and superbly entertains.
The movie manages to capture the sheer joy and exuberance of the musical and more. The show's original director and producer, Phyllida Lloyd and Judy Craymer, respectively, also took the same jobs in transferring the magic of the musical that features ABBA's songs to the screen.
Buoyant, glorious
When we visited the movie set at the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios outside London last year and saw Meryl Streep shoot “Dancing Queen,” the movie looked promising. But the finished product, which includes exterior shots filmed in gorgeous Greece, is unexpectedly buoyant and glorious.
Phyllida, in her feature movie directing debut, took advantage of the freedom that a cinema version brings by opening up the musical and lensing in the breathtaking Greek islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Damouhari.
In one scene that by itself is worth the price of a movie ticket, Meryl's Donna character sings an impassioned version of “The Winner Takes It All” to Pierce, amid a magnificent view of a towering rock formation that juts out into the sea - on top of which is a chapel, where a wedding is about to take place.
A star is born in Amanda Seyfried, who has appeared in movies and TV shows. In “Mamma Mia” she plays the crucial role of Sophie, Donna's daughter. Like her screen mom, Amanda sings, acts and is just luminous onscreen. Everyone else is good and perfectly cast: Pierce, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters (a delight!), Christine Baranski and Dominic Cooper. They all sang with their real voices.
We predict box office bonanza and awards for this movie. People will be singing, dancing and applauding in the cineplexes just like the audiences do when they watch the stage musical, which has been seen by more than 30 million people in various productions worldwide.
But ultimately, the biggest applause should go to ABBA's Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus whose music and lyrics, respectively, still lift spirits and send toes tapping, not to mention inspire karaoke singers around the globe. As the title of one of their songs goes, “Thank you for the music.”
One other final ovation should go to writer Catherine Johnson, who in 1997 had the daunting task of creating a story using existing ABBA songs. By some miracle and inspiration, Catherine came up with a new musical that seamlessly employs the Swedish band's hits to narrate the story of a girl, Sophie, who wants to find her father on her wedding day.
The musical opened in London in 1999. Nine years later, this accomplishment of Catherine, who also serves as the screenwriter, holds up exceedingly well on the big screen.
E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, “The Nepales Report,” on http://blogs.inquirer.net/nepalesreport.
