Latest news with #TheMusical
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Tony Perez, multi-awarded playwright and visual artist, passes away
Multi-awarded Filipino playwright Tony Perez has passed away. He was 74 years old. His granddaughter, Pearl Miranda, confirmed his passing to GMA News Online via Facebook Messenger on Wednesday. According to her, Tony died on Tuesday, May 20. Aside from being a playwright, Tony was also a renowned fictionist, painter, educator, and expert on the paranormal and Philippine mysticism. On Facebook Wednesday, the Cultural Center of the Philippines mourned Tony's passing. 'As a prolific artist, Tony's body of work extended beyond theater,' the CCP wrote. 'He was a staunch advocate of psychological realism in drama and was among the rare few whose creative practice also embraced spiritual exploration.' "The CCP extends its deepest condolences to Tony Perez's family, friends, collaborators, students, and the many communities he touched through his profound art and spirit. His creative genius and metaphysical vision have left an indelible imprint on our cultural soul. We honor his memory and celebrate a life lived fully in the service of the arts." Tony, full name Antonio Benjamin Silva Perez, was born on March 31, 1951 in San Fernando, Pampanga. According to his blog, he earned his undergraduate degree at the Ateneo de Manila University (A.B. Communications) in 1972 and attended Ateneo de Manila University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Cand. M.A. Clinical Psychology) from 1972 to 1977. He also took up an M.A. in Religious Studies at the Maryhill School of Theology from 1998 to 2004 and graduated magna cum laude. Some of his plays are 'Hoy, Boyet, Tinatawag Ka Na; Hatinggabi Na 'y Gising Ka Pa Pala,' 'Anak ng Araw,' 'Gabun,' 'K-31,' 'Luwalhati,' 'Florante At Laura (The Musical),' 'Ang Prinsipe Ng Buwan,' 'Sa Pugad Ng Adarna (The Musical),' and more. He has received multiple awards and honors for his work, including the CCP Thirteen Artists Award in 1974, the FAMAS Award for Best Story in 1975, the grand prize for Novel in the Filipino Division at the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 1984, the National Book Award for Fiction in 1995, and the CCP Centennial Honors for the Arts in 1999, among others. Among his published books include 'Cubao 1980 At Iba Pang Mga Katha: Unang Sigaw Ng Gay Liberation Movement Sa Pilipinas,' 'The Calling: A Transpersonal Adventure,' 'Mga Panibagong Orasyon,' and 'Mga Panibagong Kulam Sa Pag-ibig.' In 2017, Tony had guested in GMA Network's talk show 'Mars' where he offered his expertise and insights on gayuma. —Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Woke madness as Back To The Future musical hit with weird trigger warning about Doc Brown's DeLorean
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BACK to the Future: The Musical has been hit with woke warnings — including one about the DeLorean hypercar's fire trail. Bosses warn the time-travel motor's flaming tracks could startle or alarm audiences. 1 Back to the Future: The Musical has been hit with woke warnings — including one about the DeLorean hypercar's fire trail It is one of 16 snowflake alerts on the stage version of Michael J Fox's 1985 hit film. Bosses at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End warn the DeLorean 'leaves behind fire tracks that are alight' as it travels back to 1955. It also cautions 'there is a pyrotechnic spark' as it exits the stage. In another scene featuring the car, audiences are told inventor Doc Brown is 'sprayed loudly and powerfully' by CO2 jets. Elsewhere, for the cast's performance of Chuck Berry song Johnny B. Goode, bosses warn 'disco lights' are hoisted above the stage. There is also guidance about a 'special effect scene' at the end as the car lets out a 'loud rumbling sound effect.' The theatre's website adds: 'Back to the Future contains loud sounds, strobe lights, haze, fire and pyrotechnics at certain points during the performance.' Senior Tory MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke said: 'I am stunned by how ludicrous this trigger warning is.' We previously reported stage versions of the Full Monty and Roald Dahl's Matilda had been slapped with similar warnings. LW Theatres, which owns the Adelphi, was asked to comment.
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Wimpy Kids musical's a treat
Based on the 250 million-selling Jeff Kinney novels, anyone who has read the books or streamed the adaptations will feel right at home. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical isn't just good. It's seriously fantastic. As far as family entertainment goes, little can top this show. It's a sixty-minute romp, simultaneously snackable and moreish. Because Greg Heffley comes to life, just a few metres away from young, and a little bit older, fans. If you have not seen it, book your tickets now. The show is an hour-long, but somewhat shortened version of the 120-minute musical. But like condensed milk, it's sweet and oh so yum. Nothing's lost, but audiences have everything to gain. Based on the 250 million-selling Jeff Kinney novels, anyone who has read the books or seen some of the streaming adaptations of the stories will recognise many of Greg's major life moments in the production. There's the 'cheese touch', weird kid Fregley and the cartoon competition with the Zoo Wee Mama dispute between best friends Rowley and Heffley. Audiences have everything to gain Director Vicky Friedman and showrunner Daphne Kuhn have created a gem. It must have been tough, though. There are two sets of casts, comprising 16 kids each, plus actors Sarah Richard and Sechaba Ramphele, who are the common denominators and play Heffley's parents and teachers. 34 people to manage is no joke, yet the choreography, the performances, the singing… it's all top drawer. ALSO READ: 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical' Set to Rock Sandton From the moment they sat down, it was excitement and anticipation for my kids. As the lights dimmed and Heffley shared that his journal wasn't a diary, their gaze remained fixed on the stage. For a five and seven-year-old used to fast-moving games on devices or running around in muddy puddles, such undivided attention for sixty minutes is unusual. But that's how engaging the score, the script, and the performances were. Engaging script and performances Afterwards, the pair wanted more copies of Wimpy Kid books. And over lunch, they started reading the instalments we bought. On the way home, in the car, the phrase 'this is not a diary, it's a journal' went on repeat between the two. Back at home, instead of asking for anything else, they were buried in books. That's the beauty of the Wimpy Kid series: the cartoons make it accessible to kids of any reading level, and the musical brought it all to life. In turn, it sparked a greater desire to read more. Kevin Del Aquila's script, together with Alan Schmukler and Michael Mahler's music, never veers from the spirit of the books. The storytelling is superb. The magic is in the performance. Friedman and Kuhn's casting was impeccable, and there's not a single performer whose star turns needed to be carried by their mates at any time. Collectively, they pulled off numbers like In The Middle Of It All and Animal Heart with what would be complex choreography for a kid, exceptionally. The tunes are sticky, and the dream sequence of Animal Heart was my 7-year-old's favourite moment in the show. For the 5-year-old, Fegley's strangeness was hilarious. Fabulous storytelling Eye contact and audience engagement, drawing both young and older people into the narrative, were seriously well done. Comedic timing, another significant challenge for any performer, was pulled off well. The American accents, nobody skipped a beat in the show we saw. Greg Heffley's quest for popularity in Middle School is a universal story that everyone can resonate with in some aspect or another. There are a lot of life lessons squashed inside it all, but not the prescriptive sitcom kind. Instead, the familiarity of Heffley's challenges, from sibling rivalry through to the eccentric and popular kids at school…we've all been there, and our kids must still go through it or, depending on age, are wading through it all as we speak. Wimpy Kid, The Musical runs until 4 May at Theatre on The Square in Mandela Square, Sandton. If you miss it, you'll be sorry. Now Read: Louis Khoza: Turning township hustle into artistic purpose
ITV News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
'Paddington The Musical' to debut in West End
A musical about Paddington Bear, featuring music from McFly singer Tom Fletcher, is to debut in autumn on the West The Musical will launch at London's Savoy Theatre on November 1 and has been adapted from the books by Michael Bond and award-winning films, which feature Ben Whishaw as the voice of the production follows the small bear from Peru as he lands in London where a chance encounter with the Brown family leads to him finding a new home. Fletcher, 39, said: "It's an honour to be entrusted to bring the story of Paddington to life on stage with the very best of creative collaborators in (playwright) Jessica (Swale), (theatre director) Luke (Sheppard), and our producers Sonia (Friedman) and Eliza (Lumley)."This unique and special bear is at the very heart of our nation, and I'm aware of the awesome responsibility we all have in taking on his story."It's beyond exciting, and an absolute dream come true - we look forward to welcoming you to join us at the Savoy this autumn."Swale, 43, added: "It's such a privilege to be telling the story of such a beloved cultural icon."Paddington is so much more than a fictional character; this special bear has come to represent hope, kindness and acceptance, so it's never felt like a more apt time to bring this story to the stage, and with such a dream team."Tom's songs are extraordinary, earworms on a first listen, Luke is the most masterful director, and our producers are so incredibly passionate and dedicated, it really is a great honour to be on this adventure with them all."I can't wait to share this beautiful tale."Fletcher is a best-selling author of children's books, as well as a member of boy band first published on October 13 1958, has seen a number of adaptations over the years, including a BBC TV version in 1976, voiced by the late Sir Michael Hordern. The recent movies, released in 2014, 2017 and 2024, have all performed well at the box in the month a Paddington Bear statue which had been destroyed by vandals was repaired and returned to its home town in Newbury, tickets for Paddington The Musical will be available from May 13, before going on general sale on May performance schedule and casting is to be announced at a later date.
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Paddington Bear the Musical: West End show coming this year
Paddington is one of world's most famous bears, with his adventures told in the popular books written by author Michael Bond, lots of TV episodes and three huge movies. The loveable star will soon make his debut on a brand new stage. A musical about Paddington Bear, featuring music from McFly singer Tom Fletcher, is set to head to London's West End later this The Musical will launch at the Savoy Theatre on 1 November. What do we know about the musical so far? The musical has been created from the Michael Bond books and award-winning Paddington Bear films. It will follow marmalade obsessed Paddington as he travels from his homeland of Peru and lands in London, where he meets the Brown family and finds his new home. "It's an honour to be entrusted to bring the story of Paddington to life on stage..." said singer and author Tom Fletcher. "This unique and special bear is at the very heart of our nation, and I'm aware of the awesome responsibility we all have in taking on his story."It's beyond exciting, and an absolute dream come true." The cast of the musical will be announced at a later date ahead of its launch. What do you think about Paddington making his theatre debut? If you could see any fictional character in a musical, who would it be and why? You can let us know in the comments below.
