THUMBS UP FOR FIL-AUSSIE SINGER-ACTOR MiG AYESA
MANILA, MARCH 30, 2011 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo [PHOTO - MiG at the opening night of Rock of Ages on Broadway, with former presidential daughter Chelsea (file photo, right) in the audience.]
Even former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton was impressed.
This is according to an exclusive report by Funfare's Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (news editor of the New York-based The Filipino Reporter) on the Broadway debut of Fil-Aussie singer-actor MiG Ayesa as Stacee Jaxx in the smash musical Rock of Ages.
Funfare and Filipino Reporter were invited by MiG's aunt, Dr. Rosario "Tita Ching" Legarda, to the opening of the musical last Thursday night (March 24) at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Funfare didn't make it but Edmund did.
Said Edmund (who is in Manila for his annual R&R), "MiG has just become a certified Broadway headliner, sharing top billing in Playbill with the lead stars of Rock of Ages.
"Bringing to Great White Way his critically-acclaimed version of the hilariously impossible rock star Stacee Jaxx following his celebrated stint at the Rock of Ages' US tour, MiG continued to draw raves, leaving the crowd of the packed theater on 44th Street in Manhattan transfixed by his killer voice, knockout comic performance and, well, washboard abs."
Edmund noted that New York's glitterati came in full force, including former presidential daughter Chelsea Clinton, a personal friend of MiG and his wife Simone De La Rue.
"We didn't have a chance to see Chelsea up close but those who did said the brainy and lovely daughter of Bill and Hillary enjoyed the show to the hilt," added Edmund.
Aside from Tita Ching (who was one of the principal sponsors at the wedding of Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid in December last year), also present were some of the people closest to MiG's heart like his gorgeous wife, stage actress Simone De La Rue; as well as favorite cousins Aldo Legarda and Denise Legarda-Gallagher, who all gave MiG morale boost.
Stacee Jaxx is the role that might be played in the film version, if ever it's pushed through, by Tom Cruise who watched the musical in L.A. and also gave it a thumbs up.
"MiG was a little anxious," revealed Tita Ching, laughing. "This is his Broadway's biggest break. He gave flawless performances over the last six months at the national tour and he wanted it to be perfect on his first night as Stacee Jaxx on Broadway."
"I feel not only incredibly humbled and blessed, but also incredibly grateful to reopen Rock of Ages on Broadway," stated MiG in a press release for the opening night. "While touring with the show the past six months was one of the most fulfilling and fun-filled adventures for me, being able to once again work in a city that's home, in the company of family and friends, is what I'm looking forward to about this new assignment."
MiG's cousin Aldo disclosed that MiG is under pressure to live up to his much-hyped performance especially after Cruise saw him in L.A.
"I think MiG didn't have much grasp of the huge impact of his performance as well as the musical's tremendous popularity and success until he and Tom Cruise met face to face and talked about the movie version," Edmund quoted Aldo as saying.
The movie adaptation will also star Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige and Russel Brand.
"Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams is reportedly being courted to join the cast. The film, by Warner Bros./New Line Cinema, is expected to arrive in moviehouses in the middle of 2012. Adam Shankman, who directed and choreographed the film adaptation of Hairspray, will direct," said Edmund.
Meanwhile, both handlers and supporters of MiG are predicting that bigger opportunities will be waiting for the Fil-Aussie artist after his stint with Rock of Ages.
Pinoy fans also pay tribute to Elizabeth Taylor
Following the death of Elizabeth Taylor (due to congestive heart failure) at the age of 79 on March 23, fans have been trooping to the Walk of Fame in Hollywood to pay tribute by offering flowers at her Star. Elizabeth's death marked the end of a Hollywood era.
"It's so touching," shared US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal (owner of www.mikeygatal.com), one of those who went to Walk of Fame. "Fans have covered the tile with flowers, notes and photographs. Mourners even matched their bouquets to the color of her Elizabeth's violet eyes."
Some of Elizabeth's memorable quotes:
? You find out who your real friends are when you're involved in a scandal.
? I've only slept with men I've been married to. How many women can make that claim?
? I suppose when they reach a certain age some men are afraid to grow up. It seems the older the men get, the younger their new wives get.
Piolo's show in US a sell-out
Romeo Joven, producer of Piolo Pascual's sold-out concert series in the US and Canada, is still overwhelmed by the success of the shows that were held in Toronto, Virginia Beach, Tampa, Portland, Chicago and Connecticut. The last concert was held at the Woolsey Hall in Yale University, Newhaven, Connecticut, last March 27 under the technical direction of Marisse Panlilio.
This report came from Felix Manuel, one of Funfare's "beauty experts," who was in the audience at the Connecticut show.
"Hundreds of Filipinos trooped to the venue hours before the show started. There were kababayan who traveled from as far as South Carolina."
Felix said that Piolo will stay for several days in New York to film scenes for his new Star Cinema movie (untitled just yet) which includes in the cast Marian dela Riva who is now based in New Jersey. Marian left showbiz several years ago. "She's now a happy housewife," added Felix. "She's as beautiful as ever."
I presumed that Marian, whose marriage to actor Ronald Corveau was annulled, is happily remarried.
Felix said that also well received during the concert was Pokwang with her hilarious antics.
"She was touched by the crowd's gesture and was even more appreciative of several foreigners who went to the show just to see her in person."
After the show, Pokwang said, "They are my friends in Twitter, and I am elated that they literally follow me whenever I have a show!"
Among others who watched the show were Piolo's mom together with several friends and relatives from the East Coast.
A meet-and-greet with Piolo and Pokwang was held at the Payag Restaurant in Queens after the show.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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