Manila is Alive with “The Sound of Music”

By Katherine C. Eustaquio

Balikbayan Magazine Website

Under the direction of Roxanne Lapus and Musical Director Maestro Rodel Colmenar, Resorts World Manila’s production of the iconic play—The Sound of Music—not only brought to life a classic but transported each and every viewer to a place in time when innocence, courage, faith, integrity, and love are ways of life. 

Resorts World Manila’s world-class cast is composed of internationally-acclaimed theatre veterans, starting with Joanna Ampil, who played the lead role of Maria Rainer, and “King of Philippine Theatre” Audie Gemora, both of whom performed during the December 23, 2011 run. Having to portray an iconic character like Maria Rainer could be a grueling task even for theatre veterans like Ampil, especially since every generation has its own version of the icon, like Julie Andrews in the 1965 film version of The Sound of Music.  Ampil’s performance justified every single decision that landed her the lead role.  On the other hand, Gemora’s portrayal of Captain Georg von Trapp is, more or less, a total reenactment of Christopher Plummer’s performance in the 1965 film.  Gemora succeeded in showing how joy, pain, and helplessness can sip through the carefully structured face of a very stern character like Captain von Trapp. 

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