Although my theater and movie-making experience had been extensive and broad, aside from my far-reaching observations, first-hand knowledge, direct exposure, and showbiz orientation, I still found it quite peculiar (at the same time flattering) having been offered to direct a musical concert with a pre-conceived format with merely two principal performers and a pianist.
After giving it a fair consideration, I soon realized that directing the project could offer another opportunity for growth and change.
“A May-December Affair in June” (AMDAIJ), staged last Friday, June 26, 2015 at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall, was a relatively simple musical concert with an uncomplicated theme but needed an appealing and attention-grabbing fluidity of sequencing to perk up the entire show. It was just perfect that a ready line-up of songs was on hand that aptly fit the conceived storyline.
AMDAIJ has an ageless premise… a universal subject about love and reciprocation… about expressiveness and suffocation… about emotions and heartaches. It was about a mature woman‘s inevitable feeling with a much younger man… they fell in love until complications and differences became impediments in their relationship. Every emotion, sentiment, and passion was effectively communicated and expressed through well-chosen popular and familiar classic ballads without spiels or intros.
I made all means to come up with a masterpiece despite working on a tight budget. Call it ambitious but it was rightfully achieved since my lead performers loved what they’re doing coupled with a great determination to deliver their best. When consistently armed with patience, persistence, tolerance, and dedication set goals become much easier to accomplish. Their strong sense of desire contributed to the smooth flow of the rehearsal without counting the cost or considering the element of time.
I constantly reminded my lead performers concerning having the fortitude and focus…regarding being in character and releasing every nuance that goes along with their emotions…about using every physical, mental, and emotional faculty there was… that they should free their innate capabilities uncontrollably for if not, they would rust like iron from disuse…they would stagnate like water after losing its purity… and the vigor of the mind would sap from inaction.
Meet the principal performers
Louanne Cuenco must have been meant to be in this cut-throat performing arts world effusively equipped with her innate creativity, passion, flexibility, stamina, discipline, and most of all, a natural singing talent. On and off stage Louanne lavishly exudes that rare level of professionalism coupled with glamour and oomph that charismatically emits her honed skill from the four decades she’d been in the limelight from her stint with the 2nd generation New Minstrels, a popular band that highly influenced Manila’s night life during the 80s.
Having grown her roots in theater and entertainment circuits, she untiringly juggled between television and recording commercial jingles and being dubbed as the “Jingle Queen” in the advertising world. It was during the height of her career in Manila when she recorded “I Don’t Love You Anymore” with Ernie Mercado.
In the 90s she joined forces with Bobby Ramiro to bring their special blend of entertainment to the best hotels in Asia and Europe before making New York their home base.
After having been under several show directors, the sultry chanteuse who owns one of the finest vocal sounds hereabout, remains unassuming with an incredible ability to adapt and follow directions like a novice. Well organized and constantly prepared for the job, Louanne has considerably taken her craft to a high level while seriously absorbing every specification from her director…such distinguishing traits that set her apart from among her peers.
Jared Martin, the suave, award-winning, and up-coming tenor-pop balladeer from Toms River, New Jersey is slowly spreading his wings all throughout the tri-state area and duly earning a reputable name in the industry. Enthusiasm spawns commitment and for somebody like Jared who never ceases to hone his singing skills, success is far from being implausible. Strappingly armed with confidence and driven to achieve his goals, the good-looking singer effortlessly delivers nothing but only the best of what was expected of him.
Gifted with a distinct tenor voice and a holder of a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Jared could sing various genres like classical, Broadway, Jazz, Pop, and adult contemporary. He has performed in several ensembles at UArt’s including Men’s Choir, Opera/Oratorio Ensemble, Jazz Singers, Musical Theater Ensemble, Salsa Ensemble, N’Zehn, Octonics, Handbell Ensemble, and UArt’s Voices.
With a wide range of performing experiences it is without a cloud of doubt that Jared is one capably professional performer. Effervescent with youthful innocence, his role in AMDAIJ as a young object of desire fitted him to a T… although he had to be closely coached on how to counter-emote with the supposed affection thrown at him.
Jared was a recipient of the PACCAL Award of Excellence in Performing Arts as a solo tenor and have had the opportunity to share the stage with several celebrities like Gabby Concepcion, Martin Nievera, Lani Misalucha, Jodi Benson, Bert Nievera, Raymond Lauchengco, and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, just to name a few.
Sooner than expected, the name Jared Martin will be at par with world class performers since currently his moniker is gradually being prominently etched in the annals of the entertainment portals.
Bobby Ramiro must have been born with a piano for a twin. The long years that he has had an “affair” with the upright musical instrument made him the virtuoso that he is today. A perfectionist with a keen ear and acute sensitivity for music, this indefatigable pianoman’s fingers always hungered for exciting pieces that he could enthusiastically play with imperturbable intensity.
Bobby Ramiro’s regnant control of the keyboards supplied the much-needed zest and avidity to every musical piece and song … no wonder his mastery of the piano has given him the chance to play in the best hotel chains worldwide.
A former child actor, teen heartthrob, and recording artist who has evolved into a very much sought-after pianist-singer, Bobby’s brand of performance carries a certain lightness that has been characterized as childlike yet mesmerizing while echoing the depth and mellowness of a self-made artist.
“A May-December Affair in June” also prides itself of a competent and knowledgeable batch of staff who, individually in their own right, are professional performers, themselves.
The team had Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 finalist Geo Ed Rebucas, the Philippine male counterpart of Mariah Carey, as Production Manager; former band vocalist now turned solo artist Chin Gomez as Executive Producer; and equally talented vocalist Angel Ram as Associate Producer.
The Repertoire
In spite of the standard curtain speech (reminders about theater rules) of which a part goes: “Please refrain from humming or singing along with the performers…” still the audience couldn’t help but sing along while the show was in progress. I couldn’t blame them. The song line-up was indeed beguiling and contagious…although the audience was given a chance to pump-out their lungs during the finale when they participated in singing “When I’m 64” and “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” with Louanne and Jared.
So to give you a vivid picture why the audience jointly ignored the rule, here’s the complete repertoire.
Overture: “Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?),” Who Can I Turn To,” “What Kind of Fool Am I,” “Witchcraft,” “The Last Time I Felt Like This,” “Orange-colored Sky,” “Blue Moon,” “When You Tell Me That You Love Me,” “That’s All,” . “Kailangan Mo, Kailangan Ko,” “Almost Like being In Love,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “On The Wings of Love,” “If Ever I Would Leave You,” . “With You I’m Born Again,”
Second set included: “You Are My Destiny,” “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off,” “Masquerade Is Over,” “This Nearly Was Mine,” “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Anymore,” “One Night Only,” “If He Walked Into My Life,” “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” “The Last Duet,” “When I’m 64,” and “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”
The Producers
Vince Gesmundo of VYNZ-NY Entertainment is aptly armed with an unparalleled business acumen coupled with his innate affable ways. Vince takes his every move in well-calculated strides. For him, there’s always a potentially limitless possibility in everything that pops out from his prolific mind.
Inexhaustible and constantly on the go, Vince’s curiosity in showbusiness indubitably motivated him to enter into entertainment production…with a single objective in mind: to offer nothing but only quality entertaining productions. His being good-natured with unquestionable sociability more than molded him with such electrifying magnetism that endeared him to everyone.
After having co-produced shows of big-name Pinoy entertainers like Rico Puno and Florante, he ventured into producing two Marco Sison solo concerts and Jo Awayan @ 50 aside from creating shows for Geo Ed Rebucas (5 times), Angel Ram and Chin Gomez (local talents under his management).
“I believe so much in the capability of our local artists… they are world-class! Honing their talents and giving them maximum exposures will surely uplift their status and earned for them fame they accurately deserve. “
“A May-December Affair in June,” a perfect summer offering he earnestly conceptualized, is actually a faultless reflection of his productively aesthetic imagination. Much bigger projects are already under wraps that will definitely add laurels to his company, VYNZ-NY Entertainment.
Joji Babuschak is a conscientious producer and assiduous business woman behind JB Entertainment. Joji Babuschak’s claim to be in the league of thriving entertainment producers was via her exceptional company management and keen sense of production execution for she undeniably knows what she wants and obtains the result she anticipates.
Her foray into the realm of the entertainment arena was primarily induced by producing various local talent shows, line producing for “Nievera & Son” (a Christmas celebration concert at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City) and producing the successful evening of songs and nostalgia with “Love on 5th Avenue” which featured former teen heartthrob, Raymond Lauchengco.
After “A May-December Affair in June” Joji dips her hand into a more ambitious project on November 22, 2015 at Town Hall, this time…”The Voice of the Nightingale” which topbills no other than the incomparable diva herself, Lani Misalucha.
My performers, Louanne Cuenco, Jared Martin, and Bobby Ramiro were energetically charged, aesthetically expressive, prolifically imaginative, and devotedly committed…such determining traits and positive working attitude made my job trouble-free and made me felt to be perfectly cut out for the project.
Being at the helm of “A May-December Affair In June” was a self-fulfilling creative endeavor…one remarkable designation worth my lucubrated efforts. I could only be thankful to VYNZ-NY Entertainment and JB Entertainment Productions, LLC for fully entrusting me this Herculean task from soup to nuts. The challenge has rekindled the dormant fervor of my stage artistry and duly ignited the almost forgotten aspiration I have to direct a well-conceptualized musical concert.
Photo credits: Boyet Loverita
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