Tinay's Life Woes: November 2014

9 Works Theatrical's rerun of Grease is probably the best thing that ever happen in the history of my theater life. Grease is a play really close to my heart.

Back when I was in second year high school, my English teacher required our class to do Grease for finals with the other sections she was teaching. I was lucky enough to lip-sync Betty Rizzo's There are Worse Things I Could Do (since we didn't have lapel mics to do the actual singing). And besides that, I also choreographed Grease (the opening number), Greased Lightnin', and You're the One That I Want. That wonderful experience made me want to pursue a theater career after college.

And last year, since I had (and still have) a crush on one of the cast members (who will remain nameless for my sake), I watched 9 Works' run of Grease, where I only sat at the Balcony since I didn't have much money then (until now, actually LOL). I thought that the show was soooooooooo wonderful that I even blogged it here. Upon seeing how wonderful the production was, I felt the urge of wanting to belong in their theater company so when my OJT season came, I applied for internship at 9 Works and lucky enough, I got in! That brought me to my ushering experience for 9 Works' sister theater company, Sandbox Collective's Dani Girl and 9 Works' The Last 5 Years as well as Grease.

I remember seeing Robbie Guevara after watching Grease last year and I was like "Oh my gosh! The director is just few inches from me! Should I get his autograph? Should I have my picture taken with him? How should I approach him? Nah, nevermind I'm too shy to go near him (yeah, sometimes only sometimes, I get shy)." Then when I had my OJT, I was like "Oh my! The director of Grease is actually my boss! I wonder if I can have his autograph now. What will I say to him IF I approach him? Should I say, 'Hi Sir Rob, can I have a selfie with you?" And I remember him telling me "Don't call me 'Sir'." But now, I am like "Oh, hi Rob!" What is even more wonderful is that I am practically a part of Grease! Yey! Thank you Ms. Camille :D

Anyway, going back to Grease, I felt really honored to be able to usher for the show. And last night, during their opening night, I was allowed by the ever so cute and wonderful director Robbie Guevara to take pictures of the show and I will share them to you.

So, how different is this rerun from the first run? Well first, there are new cast members. Tippy Dos Santos now plays the role of Sandy, Guji Lorenzana is the new Danny, Antoinette Taus plays Rizzo, Steven Silva as Johnny Casino, Gab Pangilinan plays ChaCha, Alex Godinez is Marty, Nelsito Gomez as Sonny, and Marvin Ong alternates with Vincent Lim for the role of Doody. Second, personally I think this cast is better than the original run. I cannot pin point the specifics but I think part of the reason why is that this cast seem more energetic and more playful. I also think this is because the old cast members are more comfortable playing their roles and they helped the new cast members feel at home.

I must say I used to have reservations with the new cast, specifically Guji because I thought he was too boy-next-door type of guy, too sweet and too charming to play Danny, but upon seeing him onstage twice, I admit I was wrong. Guji may not be the bad-boy Danny, but he certainly is cool-guy Danny. I also thought Tippy was too nice and cute to play the transformed Sandy, but again, I was proven wrong. She is very versatile, kind of like Natalie Portman in Black Swan. She was able to transform from innocently sweet Sandy to very hot and cool Sandy.

I can also say that Rafa was a lot better this year than last year. I am not saying he was bad last year because he is not, he was good. But a lot better this year. His characterization of Kenickey became more bad-ass, quite like the original film of Grease. Antoinette Taus is also sooo good, she is just perfect for Rizzo. She was a big bitch, but you can see the vulnerability in her eyes when she sang There are Worse Things I Could Do.

Peachy Atilano and Sarah Facuri, whom I cannot stop calling Teacher Peachy and Teacher Sarah (from the summer workshop), are also so much better this year. Reb Atadero and Sab Jose are practically the clowns of the show, nuff said. Of course the other old cast members Harold Cruz (or Teacher Howie for me), Vince Lim, Angela Padilla, and James Stacey are also better this year.

The Teen Angel of Grease is also like last year's - different actors to play the role every show, so you better watch out for that! During the Press Preview, JM Rodriguez played the Teen Angel while last night, Franco Laurel was the Teen Angel.

However, a personal favorite of mine is Angela Padilla. I don't know why, but she's the one I keep on watching intently everytime I watch the show, especially when she is Ms. Lynch and the scene is when Sandy sings Hopelessly Devote to You.

You guys still have eleven shows to catch! Order your tickets now at Ticket World, or you can call or text 0917-554-5560. See you there!