Zizzling Zsazsa Zunday

Victoria! Winner! Tagumpay!


Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to have the chance to catch Tanghalang Pilipino's highly anticipated staging of Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzical. Due to its limited run and its small venue, tickets were almost instantly sold out but thanks to my friend Liza, I got one for myself.

For those not in the know. the musical is adapted from the Carlo Vergara's cult hit comic book Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah about a gay beautician (Ada) who was 'chosen' to assume the role of a superheroine (Zsazsa Zaturnnah) to save his town from a giant frog, zombies (the Mumus) and the alien Amazonistas led by Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux. With the help of his loyal sidekick Didi and objet d'amour Dodong, he struggled to fight the enemies and at the same time search his place and purpose in this world.


After hearing superlatively positive feedback from friends who have already seen the musical, I set myself up with such high expectations from the production. And they delivered... and how!

From the amazing performances of the actors (Eula Valdes, Ricci Chan and Agot Isidro were the stand-outs) to the most ingenious way they have presented and choreographed scenes to make the comic book come to life, the production is a triumph in creativity and fabulous queerness.

Luckily, the production chose to be faithful to the text of the comic book just enhancing some key moments with powerful, inspiring and soul-infused songs by composer Vince de Jesus. It was 2 and a half hours of laugh-a-minute musical extravaganza! Okay, there were a couple of songs there that nearly brought me to tears. After all, what's a story about a 'queen' without a little drama?!

The play did touch on rather serious issues like gay empowerment, social acceptance and the love that dare not speak its name, but it was not at all preachy as they were presented in a refreshingly comical way.

Though a little strapped for cash, I could not help purchasing some merchandise items being sold at the theater lobby. I bought the programme, a pink Zsazsa shirt (my Wonder Woman shirt now has a 'sister') and the souvenir Cast Recording CD. That CD is now on a repeat mode in my CD player!

Honestly, I'm still reeling from the whole experience. I feel so much pride that a production like this came along and that people supported it and I, in my own little way, was a part of it. Kudos to stage director Chris Millado, adaptor Chris Martinez and the entire cast and crew of Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzical for a job fabulously done.


Incidentally, my Sunshine resented the fact that he was not able to join me and missed out on a great show. I promised him that should the production announce an extended run or a repeat, I will immediately get us tickets so he'd also experience the 'Zsazsa fever'.

For the meantime, he will have to make do with me singing to him my favorite song in the soundtrack...


Ikaw ang Superhero ng Buhay ko... Ikaw,
Hindi ka man lumilipad,
Tinangay mo sa langit ang puso ko...



Zsazsa Zaturnnah
Theater
Musical
Comics

A Mega Valentine

After being her fan for more than 20 years, last Sunday had been a historic moment for me when I finally had the chance to witness my favorite Sharon Cuneta in concert for My Mega Valentine.

Many reasons had prevented and/or discouraged me in the past to catch her live but after being cajoled by a fellow Sharonian (who questioned my 'Mega idolatry'), I was glad I finally went to see her perform on stage.

The concert was such a fun evening mainly due to Shawie's funny spiels and wacky side comments between (and even during!) her song numbers. Her self-deprecating jokes really enlivened the crowd who obviously appreciated her honesty in talking about her weight. In fairness, Sharon has lost much of the weight she gained over the last few years but she still has much to go. Fortunately, her outfits for the concert were not as disastrous as her previous fashion faux pas. She clearly has gained back some curves and she no longer looked matronly in her size.

What blew me away that night is the quality of her singing voice that I initially feared has already detiriorated over the years. Apparently, nothing beats listening to her live! She did great singing some of the best loved and most romantic love songs. She did Barbra, Mannilow, Carpenters, Alcasid and of course some of her more popular classics. Kudos to her musical director Louie Ocampo who did such wonderful arrangements for her medleys.

A rather amusing number was when Sharon sang contemporary hits like Kitchie Nadal's Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin (with matching fake guitar-playing!). She also sang wonderful duets with her guests Christian Bautista (great voice!), Christopher De Leon (not so much) and Kuh Ledesma (competent, as expected). Special mention of celebrities in the audience was met with excited applause from the crowd particulary for boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.

Obviously, I had a great time in My Mega Valentine and you should count me in for Sharon's next concert!


Incidentally, I had my own mega valentine today. My Sunshine surprised me with a sweet token of a single rose with a Valentine card that really made my day. I always thought that Valentine's day is the cheesiest day of the year and I wasn't too keen on getting on with the whole hoopla. But as it turned out, I'm cheesier than I thought I should be! Hah!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S to everyone!!!


See the roses raining on the love parade...



Sharon Cuneta
Valentine

As Seen On TV

We are TV stars... Yes, that's what we are!

This week, I had one of the most exciting experiences ever!

I and my fellow Club Madonna Philippines members were invited to grace the taping of MYX Music Channel for their 24-hour MADONNAthon!

And mind you, our TV appearance was no ordinary thing. We were given not just one but two 30-minute segments where we were allowed to request our favorite Madonna videos and talk about anything we want about Madonna.

If that was not enough, we were also given indvidual camera time to 'confess' our love, worship and devotion to the one and only, Her MADGEsty. Forget about 15 minutes of fame for us, we're talking over an hour of nationwide TV exposure!

But more than the thrill of being on national cable television for an audience reaching thousands to millions, we were extremely on cloud nine for having that rare chance to talk about the one person we are commonly most passionate about, MADONNA. Sure, we have discussed every aspect of Madge's greatness amongst ourselves so many times, but to have 'outsiders' listening in and enjoying every bit of Madonna trivia and insight we can offer is truly a remarkable opportunity. We coudn't contain our euphoria even days after the taped segments.

And now, we will devote much of the 24 hours of today to watch the Madonna video marathon and catch our nationwide music TV debut.

Here are some of the pics taken of my fellow Club Madonna Philippines peeps (Elgin, AJ, Meister, Oliver and Juliana) with MYX VJs Karel, Nikki and yummylicious Geoff during the tapings.













And since I was already in the home studio of my most favorite local artist, I was not able to resist having this shot for posterity...





Push the button,
Don't push the button.
Trip the station...





MADONNA
Television