REP CAROUSEL stars share the thrill and weight of mounting one of musical theater’s masterpieces

 

Carousel stars Karyll Tatlonghari and Gian Magdangal

How does it feel being part of a restaging of one of Broadway’s iconic musicals? For the stars of the upcoming Repertory Philippines (REP) production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL, the opportunity is both a thrill and a responsibility.

Sought-after theater leading man Gian Magdangal and singer, actor, and OPM royalty Karylle Tatlonghari, who are both headlining a REP show for the first time, have shared their experiences in the past months of preps and rehearsals. CAROUSEL is directed by writer, director, producer, and congressman Toff De Venecia.

“As theater actors, we are all just so enthusiastic to be given this chance to do what we’re passionate about. As for me, I couldn’t be any more grateful to be working with the best of Philippine theater,” says Karylle who plays Julie Jordan, a sweet yet naïve millworker. “I’m trying my best to keep up with them and it’s a great feeling because I’m learning a lot. My mind is expanding, and every inch of my body is excited and living in this beautiful moment. It’s been a personal rediscovery for me, too.”

“It has been an exhilarating experience, being reunited with theater friends and working with REP for the first time. We can’t wait to see what we have been preparing for the past months. It has been an out-of- the-box experience, and it feels like home at the same time,” shares Gian who plays Billy Bigelow, a

swaggering and charismatic carnival barker. “There is simply nothing like live theater.”

RAPUNZEL: A Very Hairy Tale from Repertory Philippines

Press Release:

Enjoy magic and mirth with the family as REP’s Theater for Young Audiences reinvents the classic, whimsical adventure of Princess Rapunzel in Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale from September 15, 2018 to January 27, 2019 at the OnStage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.

Based on the story, music, and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, the play opens with the beautiful, extremely long-haired Princess Rapunzel (Cara Barredo, Mikkie Bradshaw, Justine Narciso and Alyssa Rosa) being kidnapped and trapped inside a tower as the evil Lady Za Za (Carla Guevara-Laforteza and Liesl Batucan) tries to seize the entire kingdom and place it under her rule.

While on the quest to find the perfect head of hair, Sir Roderick (Hans Eckstein, Andres Borromeo and Brendon Banares) and his hairstylist friend Edgar (Steven Hotchkiss, Chino Veguillas, and Kenny Isidro) find their way to the tower in the middle of the dark forest to rescue Rapunzel with the help of a slightly neurotic Gypsy Woman (Bituin Escalante and Naths Everett) and witty, old dragon Socrates (Arnel Carrion, Raymund Concepcion and Jamie Wilson).

Joy Virata directs the cast of this magical retelling of a classic fairytale with its fair share of twists and turns.  

Interested organizations and schools may now reserve slots for fundraising purposes. For the available show dates and tickets, call REP at 843-3570 or Ticketworld at 891-9999, or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.

For updates and show schedules, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram, and follow @repphils on Twitter.