Celebrity Hot Shots in the Philippines

Sweet Charity - Nikki Gil

Nikki Gil top bills the local production of the Broadway dance musical “Sweet Charity.”

There are just a few days to go until the highly anticipated Broadway Dance Musical Comedy “Sweet Charity” premieres on the Manila stage. The local production of “Sweet Charity” makes its debut on Friday August 5, 2011 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati Philippines and consists of 10 shows that will run until August 27, 2011.

Sweet Charity is tipped to be an amazing production encompassing humor, wit, song, dance, excitement and fun in to brilliant story telling. No doubt theatre goers will also enjoy singing along to catchy musical numbers such as “Big Spender”, “If My Friends Could See Me Now” and “The Rhythm of Life”.

Moreover, the amazing cast included in the local production of Sweet Charity will certainly impress and wow audience members. This can be attributed to the calibre of talent that will grace the stage at every show. Having brought together some of the best and brightest names from the Filipino entertainment industry together in this Broadway musical, each and every performer will undeniably bring their own unique flair to their respective roles.

Fresh from her Awit Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for Legally Blonde: The Musical, internationally recognized actress and prominent singer and host Nikki Gil ascends the stage again playing the title role. She plays the part of Charity Hope Valentine an optimistic, compassionate taxi dancer who wants nothing more than to be loved. Playing opposite her is notable singer/songwriter and Philippines’ Heart of R&B Kris Lawrence as Oscar, an anxious and insecure man that befriends Charity and later becomes her boyfriend.

Ciarra Sotto-Oconer and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez play their respective roles as Helene and Nickie, fellow taxi dancers at The Fandango Ballroom and Charity’s best friends. Sheree Vidal-Bautista plays the role of Carmen, another of Charity’s co dancers. Ciarra Sotto-Oconer, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and Sheree Vidal-Bautista are no strangers to the theatre world having been involved in recent productions of The Wedding Singer (Shiela Valderrama-Martinez) and Rent (Ciarra Sotto-Oconer and Sheree Vidal-Bautista).

Well known and experienced stage and TV actor Miguel Faustmann is also part of the ensemble having been cast as Herman, Charity’s boss and owner of The Fandango Ballroom where Charity is employed.

OJ Mariano, another well known name in the entertainment industry, plays the role of two characters. First, the character of Vittorio, a charismatic, self-centred movie star, and second the role of Daddy Brubeck, the mysterious leader at the Rhythm of Life church. Making her return to the stage is seasoned performer Angela Padilla who plays the role of Vittorio’s overemotional girlfriend Ursula.

Also included in the stellar cast are renowned performers Topper Fabregas, Job Bautista, Francis Matheu, Anthony Tarrosa Ong, Peter Alcedo, Chai Relucio and fast rising stars Caisa Borromeo, Chinie Nepomuceno, Vinia Pamplona and Carmelle Ros.

An offering from 9 Works Theatrical, Sweet Charity is under the direction of Robbie Guevara who is also responsible for the successful direction of musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof, Rent and The Wedding Singer.

Based on the novel by Neil Simon and regarded as one of the most popular Broadway and West End Musicals of all time gaining several nominations and winning several major awards worldwide, Sweet Charity will surely make its mark on the Manila stage and have everyone in the audience singing its praise.

So, if you are a fan of great music, enjoy a bit of fun, a good laugh or want to experience something new and exciting please do support the Manila production of Sweet Charity.