‘Rock of Ages’ opens again in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – The musical “Rock of Ages” opens again in Manila to brisk ticket sales and rave audience reviews.

READ: Why you shouldn’t miss ‘Rock of Ages’

Rappler’s new Life and Style and Entertainment columnist, Giselle Tongi-Walters, reports.

G TONGI, REPORTING: I’m here at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati for Rock of Ages, the Repeat Run on opening weekend. More and more Filipinos are discovering theater and this kind of musical may be the reason why.

Rock of Ages first came to Manila in 2012.
Audience reception then was phenomenal.
This year, it opens again to sold out audiences.
Fil-Aussie Mig Ayesa returns as Stacie Jaxx.
He also did the Broadway and National Tours for North America.
He says Rock of Ages cuts across boundaries.

MIG AYESA, ACTOR / SINGER: Definitely the same of any audiences with the show anywhere in the world is that by the end of the show they everyone is up on their feet dancing, screaming, having the best time.

Mainstream artists Vina Morales, Rachel Alejandro and Nyoy Volante depart from their usual “showbiz” persona.
They say they’ve fallen in love with theater and its challenges.

VINA MORALES, ACTOR / SINGER: There’s no room for mistakes, for tapings you can do take 3, in this one you can’t afford to miss a thing or a line.

Ayesa pays tribute to talent in the Philippines.

MIG AYESA, ACTOR / SINGER: These are celebrities Filipinos know, it attracts more people to come– oh let’s check it out, they’re also doing a lot more productions, things that are hot on broadway, people realize that the quality of performance in the Philippines is really world class.

The stars and the music combine to make Rock of Ages a hit!

CHARI ARESPACOCHAGA, DIRECTOR: Because of the material and the music– it opens up the theatre to people who will typically not come because they think you know, it’s songs they can’t relate to.

RACHEL ALEJANDRO, ACTOR / SINGER: Of course people sing along to all the songs, we Filipinos we know all these songs we grew up with them it doesn’t really matter what age group you belong to.

Rachel’s father, Philippine 80’s icon Haji Alejandro, says it’s just rolickin’ good fun.

HAJI ALEJANDRO, SINGER: We had a blast! I’m here with my mom!

With the right mix of raunchiness and cultural touchstones from the 80s, Rock of Ages brings generations together.

G TONGI, REPORTING: Interactive theater where people can participate in the show seems to be a hit among the audience and tickets are selling out fast. Don’t miss the repeat run of Rock of Ages to relive the musical classics of the 80’s for a face melting fun time. 
G Tongi, Rappler, Manila.

– Rappler.com