Article by: Isabel Quah
Photograph by: Michelle Rabaya
Last year, the Phantom of the Opera was presented at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and generated great acclaim. Now the Broadway craze is back, and with even greater hype! If you have not yet noticed the highway billboards and magazine ads, Wicked, the well-known Broadway show based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, is finally coming to Manila. Wicked tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, contrasting the polar personalities of two unlikely friends, Elphaba and Glinda.
ISM possesses a great fine arts department along with countless talented students, well versed in drama and music. It is not incredible, then, that many ISM students have been affected by the buzz and are eager to watch the production. Freshman William Kertzman remarks, “Even though I have seen [Wicked] twice before, I am excited to see how an international cast will portray such a popular, well-known, and loved show.” Students are not the only ones on the edge of their seats. Teachers are expressing their fervor as well. “I am very excited about Wicked coming to Manila,” says show choir head conductor Ms. Grev. “It’s a premiere show that explores the depths of character acting through the genre of musical theater, as well as showcasing powerhouse songs like ‘Defying Gravity.’” She also notes that “the Philippines is known for its love of musical theater, and I know the audiences will be pleased with this show.” Broadway shows have the tendency to focus on family friendly material and so Wicked, based on a dark, caustic book, is sure to attract an even broader audience.
(Official Poster)
Catch Broadway’s biggest blockbuster in CCP’s Main Theater from January 22nd to February 23rd. Who knows? You might pick up a few tips from Elphaba and Glinda on how to “defy gravity” within the ISM community.
