The yuletide season is coming up and Filipinos are known to celebrate it early. Even a month or two before it starts, we have filled our homes and establishments with lights and holiday tunes in anticipation for the most awaited time of the year.
Globe Live and 9 Works Theatrical returns with an new version of “A Christmas Carol”. A production that still stays true to the story and spirit of the text but this time with more grit, depth and spirit. “It’s the same musical, but a different show.” as Globe Live executive producer puts it.
The production promises a renewed spirit and flavor to Charles Dickens’ well-loved Christmas story: A Christmas Carol thanks to its improved scenography and set. Also, Miguel Faustman will be playing Ebenezer Scrooge again. His participation this year marks his third production alongside Works Theatrical. Faustman is known to be a veteran and member of Repertory Philippines and has also worked with Ballet Manila.
Franco Laurel will be joining the cast as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Aside from holding the position of editor for 2 lifestyle publications, Laurel is also a prolific writer & blogger and known for for his roles in You’re A Good Man, Grease, Charlie Brown, Honk, Rama at Sita, The Ugly Duckling, Joseph the Dreamer, and Isang Panaginip na Fili, where he won Best Stage Actor in the Aliw Awards.
Another cast is Noel Rayos as both Jacob Marley and Mr. Fezziwig. Rayos is a Gawad Buhay awardee, bagged Best Featured Actor in a musical, and a Gawad Buhay nominee. Rayos is working with 9 Works Theatrical for the fourth time.
Nico Dans and Rissey Reyes are the next generation of actors. Dans is returning to theater after being in the limelight for a while. He finished Fine Arts and has been recently featured in a film directed by Richard Somes. Reyes, on the other hand, is a UP graduate and is seen in the films Batang Rizal, Rated: PG, and William. He was a member of Hi-5 which is a local franchise of TV5.
Both Jaime Yupangco and Elai Estrella are going to play Tiny Tim. Yupangco is delighted to play this role since it’s his dream come true. Performing in theater is his passion and is traced to his roots since his family is known to be in the show business and theater. Estrella also enjoys performing. At a young age, he immerse himself in summer workshops and also plays the violin and recorder. Estrella is part of the Catholic Filipino Academy Orchestra.
Playing Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit are Jon Abella and Tricia Canilao. It is Abella’s second production with Globe Live and 9 Works Theatrical after appearing in Newsies as Seitz. Meanwhile, Canilao is known for her performances in Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast and the musical revue, Les Miserables,The Golden Mickey’s in Hong Kong Disneyland, and West Side Story.
Laurnce Mossman will take the role of the Young Ebenezer. Mossman is from New Zealand and started his career in the Philippines when he performed in Mamma Mia! He is also seen in Fun Home, a musical as different characters in the play and also appeared in Kinky Boots as Charlie.
Christmas Carol also casts Arman Ferrer as Fred. Aside from being a theater actor, Ferrer is a soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. He appeared in Mabining Mandirigma as Emilio Aguinaldo and received Best Featured Male in a Musical in the PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay awards.
The rest of the cast are Dawn Eduave as Mrs. Fezziwig, Mitzie Lao as Emily, Gian Gloria as Sally, Krystal Brimner and Rayne Cortez as Grace Smythe, Tory Cortez as Jonathon, Omar Uddin and Diego Soler as Scrooge at 12, Simone Martinez and Cerise Ramirez as Fan, Joe Ng and Bourne Luna as Fred’s son, Kyle Francisco as Martha Cratchit, MC dela Cruz as Mr. Smythe, JP Basco as Young Marley, Josh Ramirez as John William Scrooge, Kendrick Ibasco as Beadle, Vyen Villanueva as Mr. Hawkins, Jourdan Bartolome as Old Joe, Mariella Laurel as Scrooge’s mother, Peachy Atilano-Guevara as Mrs. Mops, Shalee Vicencio as Mrs. Hawkins, and Joni Galeste.
Robbie Guevarra directed A Christmas Carol while Onyl Torres is the assistant director. The rest of the production team are as follows: Daniel Bartolome- musical director, PJ Rebullida -choreographer & Yek Barlongay- additional tap choreography, Ed Lacson- set designer, Dong Calingacion- technical director, Myrene Santos- hair and makeup designer, and Ian Cartalaba- costume head.
The executive producer for the show is Santi Santamaria of 9 Works Theatrical & Joe Caliro of Globe Live, Denise Seva is Globe Live Director for Events and Production, Company manager is Anna Santamaria of 9 Works Theatrical , Jonjon Martin and Sab Jose are the PR managers, GM Hernandez is marketing manager, meanwhile Arma Bonilla is stage manager, Gian Nicdao is the graphic designer & JC Inocian is the photographer.
Catch A Christmas Carol at the Globe Iconic Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater, Bonifacio Global City on these dates:
December 7-9, 14-16, 21-22 & 26-27 at 8:00pm
December 10 & 17 (Sundays) 7:00 pm
December 25 Christmas Show at 7:00pm
