Friday, November 25, 2016

Karylle, Michael Pangilinan, and Other Kapamilya Stars Invade Ballet Philippines



Do you like the Pinoy disco music scene of the 70’s? Come and watch your favorite ABS-CBN Kapamilya stars led by Karylle, Michael Pangilinan, Markki Stroem, and Kyle Echarri as they sing, belt, gyrate and groove centerstage in Ballet Philippines’ holiday presentation “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko,” a new dance musical set to the hits of Manila Sound legends VST & Company.

The VST & Co. is considered one of the pioneering groups from the music genre known as the Manila Sound in the mid 70s. The group is composed of Vic Sotto, Spanky Rigor, Tito Sotto, Val Sotto, Celso Llavina, Monet Gaskell, Male Rigor, Roger Rigor, Jun Medina, Joey de Leon, Homer Flores, Chito Ilagan, Ben Escasa, Fred Concepcion, Boy Alcaide, and Clod Baria. Their impressive collection of hits has left a legacy that endures to this day.



Directed by BP Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales, “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” tells the story of the forbidden love between Teresa, a kolehiyala and Victor, a construction worker amidst the backdrop of the Philippines in the late ‘70s – burning with disco fever but chilled by the horrors of Martial Law. They are are separated in life but are united in heaven and once again dance up a storm.

Over the years, Karylle has established herself as one of the country’s finest female celebrities. With her immense talent and disarming beauty, she has conquered the local and international entertainment scene by storm. Her career has spanned the music, television, and film industries. Her performance in the international Asian TV series “The Kitchen Musical” earned her a nomination as Best Actress in the 52nd Monte Carlo TV Festival. She has been a regular host of “It’s Showtime” since 2010, but has left the show temporarily to work on Singapore-based television show “Private Investigator”. Her theater credits include Maria in “West Side Story” (2008), Sita in Ballet Philippines’ “Rama Hari” (2012), and Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” (2013). In “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko”, Karylle will take on the role of Ester, a strong-willed “woman of the night”.



Michael Pangilinan is a singer and actor who first caught the country’s attention as a contestant in X Factor Philippines in 2011. After seeing his potential, Kuya Germs made him a regular host in Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman. He has a platinum-selling self-titled solo EP, an album and sold-out show at the Music Museum with boy band Harana, and a hit movie, “Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako” (2016). He also came in second place on the second season of the celebrity singing/impersonation contest, “Your Face Sounds Familiar”. In “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko”, Michael will play the role of Arturo, the charismatic best friend of Victor, the lead dancer. Arturo is the show’s lead vocalist.

Markki Stroem is a singer, host, athlete, songwriter, arranger, and music video director/producer. His first solo album “Thousands of Pieces” under Cornerstone Music received a Gold Record Award. He played the role of Henry in the award-winning musical “Next to Normal” by Atlantis Productions in March 2011, for which he was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Musical) in the Broadway World Philippines awards. He has also been seen in lead roles in “Camp Rock”, “Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady”, and most recently,  “Jersey Boys”. He will play the role of Gabby, the moneyed and handsome suitor of Teresa, the show’s lead dancer.



Kyle Echarri is a singer and actor who rose to fame in 2015 as he became a finalist in The Voice Kids under Team Sarah. Soon after being eliminated from the competition, he joined the cast of the hit television show “On the Wings of Love” as Brent Wyatt, the half-brother of Nadine Lustre’s character Leah Olivar. He also took part in “We Love OPM: The Celebrity Sing-Offs”, a televised singing competition which ran for three months, as part of the boy group Voice Next Door. He recently released his debut solo album, “It’s Me Kyle” under MCA Music. Kyle will take on the role of Lito, the energetic younger brother of Victor.

The show’s alternate cast features OPM icon Cooky Chua, award-winning theater actors Sandino Martin and Jef Flores, and The Voice Kids Season 3 alumni Noel Comia Jr. The vocal ensemble will be comprised of members of the classical singing group, Viva Voce.



Leading the cast of dancers are former BP principals Edna Vida and Nonoy Froilan as the elderly Teresa and Victor. They will be alternating with ballroom dance champion Ednah Ledesma and former BP prince Butch Esperanza. The young Teresa and Victor will be played by current BP dancers Denise Parungao, Garry Corpuz, Rita Angela Winder, and Jean Marc Cordero.

“Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” is co-presented by ABS-CBN and is a collaboration with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Salonga. The show features a libretto by Bibeth Orteza, choreography by Carissa Adea, James Laforteza & PJ Rebullida, musical direction by Jed Balsamo, sound design by Jethro Joaquin, set design by Ohm David, costume design by James Reyes, lighting design by John Batalla.



To be held at the CCP Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo), “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” with the ABS-CBN Kapamilya stars are set to perform on Dec. 2 - 8:00 pm; and Dec. 11 - 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

The other schedule of shows are set on Dec. 3 – 6 pm; Dec. 4 – 2 pm and 6 pm; Dec. 9 – 8 pm; Dec. 10 – 2 pm and 6 pm;


Ticket prices range from Php 500 to Php 3500, with discounts for students, senior citizens, and government employees.

*Text and photos from the press release

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