#lesmismanila

[sauljohnjoseph1]

Rachelle Ann Go @gorachelleann💃👸 in Les Miserables Musical 🎼🎹 @lesmisofficial @LesMiserables @LesMisManila @LesMizUS @broadwaycom @BroadwayWorld @BroadwayWorldUK @BWW_Philippines #RachelleAnnGo #LesMiserables #Musical #Fantine

[witches-unruly-heart]

"... AND I'M JAVERT!" @haydentee #snapchatfilter #haydentee #javert #lesmiserables #lesmisdubai #lesmisaustralia #lesmismanila #lesmisbway #lesmislondon

[tragicallywicked-blog]

Emily Langridge  - Cosette in the Australasian Tour of Les Miserables 

[starsfallonus]

to love another person is to see the face of God. never going to get over this night. #LesMisManila #vscocam #vsco

[profoundlyeclectic]

Thank you #LesMisManila. It has been absolutely awesome. Au revoir 😭 #lesmiserablesmanila2016 #theatre #loveformusic #love #lesmiserables

[aileendesipeda-blog]

Playing with my #craftmania haul. ^_^ Also, today is the last day of #lesmismanila >_< #watercolorlettering #creativityclub

[higgledypiggledychloe]

Barricades, Pictures, Elements and I guess a goodbye.

(an attempt to express my Les Mis Manila experience in the most spoiler-free, trying-hard-not-to-cry-I-have-to-contain-myself way)

I used to tell my friends they don’t know me enough until they understand the depth of my love for Les Misérables. Yes, I’m one of those barricade nerds who use 2460done or “You have 2460won my heart”. Last year, news broke that the production is finally coming to Manila. I booked tickets as soon as I can (aka the first week of ticketing, thank you Visa for the promo). Since then, it’s just been months of countdowns until my booked date – March 24th! – and I just randomly find myself smiling wide as my heart flutters like Marius’ when he first saw Cosette.

I basically grew up seeing Rachelle Ann Go on my TV screen so having her as Fantine made me so proud of her and everything she has accomplished while still staying true to her Filipino roots (to use this modern day’s vocabulary, she is #GOALS). I also started digging on other cast members (in simple terms: cyber-stalking) and one of the discoveries that got me really excited was Kerrie Anne Greenland and her debut album Pictures. When I heard her rendition of On My Own, I was already sure this production had itself a perfect Eponine.

Tomorrow came and the reality of it all finally caught up with me. I was jumping up and down the venue (probably why I have no decent pictures in Solaire) and my mother had to suffer an entire day of me talking about my theories on the Enjolras x Grantaire relationship. Only two disappointments happened that day: 1) I didn’t see Rachelle Ann Go and Kerrie Anne Greenland’s names on the cast list. 2) I had a hard time pulling my blubbering self together after the show that I missed everyone at the stage door (I had a letter and fanart ready, ouch).

But at the end of the day, I was beyond happy to have booked tickets for that day. Why? Simply because Jessica Daley and Lauren Soley were incredible as Fantine and Eponine. I later find out it was their debut performance – it definitely didn’t seem like it! – and I suddenly had proud-as-a-mother feelings for the two despite us being complete strangers.

The rest of the cast were breathtaking. Paul Wilkins left me so damn speechless after Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, I couldn’t even sob properly in fear that my own tears might distract me from such a powerful scene. The love and tension between the Eponine x Marius x Cosette triangle was adorable and tragic and for the lack of a better term, just full of “feels.” Simon Gleeson also nailed it, although I definitely expected that one. He was such a convincing Valjean that until now I can’t see him as Simon anymore, he’ll always be 24601 for me. Lovely Ladies and Master of the House — I always thought these are the most fun parts of the show everytime I watch recorded performances. But seeing it live was more than just fun. It was a hilarious ride that invites your eyes to feast on anything and everything that is happening. (Also, James Hume is such a tall drink of water your eyes basically dart to him everytime he’s onstage.)

The set was perfect. The props were great. As an art student, it definitely had me in awe. The orchestra… THE ORCHESTRA! There are no words! There are only chills and goosebumps from the first note down to the last!

Overall, it was everything and more than I hoped for; definitely a night to remember for the rest of my theatre-trash days.

I was on a hangover that lasted days and weeks (it’s been more than a month now!) after the show. But as if I couldn’t be any happier, I found out Kerrie Anne Greenland and Simon Gleeson are having an album launch with a meet-and-greet on my free day. I was staying nearby and had the fanart – which I failed to give – ready. I summoned all my impulsiveness (I mean HELLO! This opportunity is not a door that remains open everyday!) and rushed to the City of Dreams just a few minutes before the program starts. Funny thing is, it was actually my first time inside COD and I had a few turns around before I finally found the venue. Also another funny thing, I had no idea where to sit and later on realized that I actually sat on the media table... They probably thought I was one of them after seeing the DSLR I had with me. Oops.

Fun fact: Kerrie Anne almost included “I’ll Cover You” from Rent in her album but didn’t push through. Bummer, I was rooting for that song. :(

Some cast members were present in the event to support their dear friends. Hugo Chiarella (who plays Graintaire) was one proud friend and a great host as he welcomed the two onstage. They each performed a song from their respective albums ⎯ Kerrie Anne Greenland with “The Man That Got Away” and Simon Gleeson with “End of the World” ⎯ and went on to answer some questions. 

^ some offstage father-daughter bonding, everybody.

Interviews and photo ops happened and then ta-da! time to meet the two lovelies! In all honesty, I am an awkward human being and was freaking out deep inside that I either talked too fast or in such a low volume for anyone to understand. Luckily, the fanart saved us all!

Backstory: Two years ago I decided calligraphy and typography are two of the fields I want to pursue in life. It so happened that my first typographic work was inspired by Les Mis for no other reason than me being a complete wreck for the musical. I had the artwork printed for a display last year and on my way back from the exhibit, I passed along the Les Mis billboard in SLEX. Boom! Lightbulb! Why not give my first significant poster to the cast of my first love in musical theatre? 

Meeting Kerrie Anne and Simon was a wonderful blur. Everything was slow in the moment but went too fast as soon as it was over. It was also a pretty good boost in my self-confidence when they liked the poster and letters ha ha ha (for a moment there I thought Simon was my father because he definitely talked like one). For two such talented and successful individuals, they are way too down-to-earth and are really easy to talk to. They made sure they talked to everyone who came and had nothing but smiles on their faces (it was contagious).

Les Misérables Manila closes its curtain tonight. It’s gonna be weird for me now because for months I have been accustomed to the fact that they’re basically roaming the same streets I walk.... Okay, I’ll finish this up before it goes way too dramatic.

This cast is definitely something and I’m thankful my senses were blessed by such talents. Tomorrow definitely came for me and while we have to say goodbye now, my heart is still full of love. I am forever grateful to each and every soul who made Les Misérables Manila possible ♡

[sauljohnjoseph1]

1.7 - "The Broadway Star" Rachelle Ann Go Today marks her 13th year in Showbizness industry. A World Class Filipina. An International Superstar. Rachelle Ann Go @gorachelleann has indeed come a long way. Her faith has been her ultimate weapon, her determination took her to the top, and her passion makes her stand out from the rest. We love you Shin-Shin! We are truly proud of you! 😍❤💋 Continue inspiring people and God bless you always💞👌@cornerstoneofficial @misssaigonuk @missaigonus @lesmizus @lesmizofficial @lesmismanila @lesmisofficial @hamiltonmusical @hamiltonwestend (at London, United Kingdom)

[ceruleyana]

In a stagedooring mood tonight! #lesmismanila #onedaymore

[tragicallywicked-blog]

The audio is from Kerrie Anne Greenland’s podcast with Emily Langridge.

[rainelorenzo]

Yuu-chi trying to get comfortable in his seat. :)) #LesMisManila

[ayandeato]

Best show this year so far. #Solaire #lesmisérables #lesmismanila (at The Theater, Solaire Resort & Casino)

[phandominion]

And that time when my Enjonine heart echoed the beating of the drums. Lovely dorks.

Kerrie Anne Greenland (Eponine) & Chris Durling (Enjolras) | Les Miserables Manila

[ykaitot96]

I've rediscovered yet another aspect of (my) being a fangirl. This time, it's for musicals. Thank you so much @lesmismanila for an amazing show last night! ❤️ #LesMisManila (at The Theatre at Solaire)

[sauljohnjoseph1]

1.6 - "Eat Bulaga's Birit Baby" Rachelle Ann Go Today marks her 13th year in Showbizness industry. A World Class Filipina. An International Superstar. Rachelle Ann Go @gorachelleann has indeed come a long way. Her faith has been her ultimate weapon, her determination took her to the top, and her passion makes her stand out from the rest. We love you Shin-Shin! We are truly proud of you! 😍❤💋 Continue inspiring people and God bless you always💞👌@cornerstoneofficial @misssaigonuk @missaigonus @lesmizus @lesmizofficial @lesmismanila @lesmisofficial @hamiltonmusical @hamiltonwestend (at London, United Kingdom)