Continuing its tradition of presenting quality, enjoyable concerts, the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside the Philippines, will perform an entire concert devoted to Broadway favorites. “FASO Goes Broadway,” featuring Filipino vocalists, including talented children, as backed by 50 orchestra members, will be staged on Saturday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.
As a follow up to its very successful “Swing the Night Away!” show late last year, the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) goes Broadway on Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. “This will be a thrilling show since it will be the first time that FASO will perform an entire concert devoted to Broadway music,” said Luis “Louie” Ramos, vice president and arranger-in-residence of FASO, the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside the Philippines.
“ ‘FASO Goes Broadway’ will honor and feature Filipino artists who have made it and performed on Broadway, including Joan Almedilla and Bonifacio ‘Bones’ Deoso,” Ramos added. “We are also featuring talented Filipino American performers who deserve to be getting major breaks. We would like to help promote these artists.”
FASO, which is known for its well-received, highly entertaining and enjoyable concerts, promises another special, must-watch evening. The orchestra, 50-member strong for this show, will treat the audience to songs from Broadway musical favorites including “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables” (“I Dreamed a Dream”) and “My Fair Lady” (“I Could Have Danced All Night”).
Under the baton of Robert “Bob” Shroder, FASO’s highly esteemed musical director and conductor, the orchestra will also perform musical theater songs composed for Asian characters, including “Love, Look Away” (“Flower Drum Song”) and “Sun and Moon” (“Miss Saigon”).
“FASO Goes Broadway,” sponsored by Philippine Airlines and MoneyGram, will feature a special segment for beloved songs created for child performers, including “Do-Re-Mi” (“The Sound of Music”), “Tomorrow” (“Annie”) and “Where is Love?” (“Oliver!”).
Almedilla starred as Kim in “Miss Saigon” on Broadway. Deoso also appeared in “Miss Saigon” plus “Les Miserables” and the “The King and I.” Other guest vocal performers include Giji Kocher (aka Djhoanna Garcia), Ninette Tenza, Isabella Ramos and Emily Ferrolino.
Among the child performers are Chelsea Chiu who will sing “Tomorrow” and Joshua-Kai Dawson who will croon “Where is Love?”
After going through auditions, seven talented kids landed the von Trapp children roles in “The Sound of Music.” These are Samantha Isidro (Liesl), Christian Avendaño (Friedrich), Tia Enroth (Louisa), Micah Luna (Kurt), Christina Blay (Brigitta), Sabrina Evangelista (Marta) and Maggi Avant (Gretl). Ian Luna plays Rolfe.
Six other children will perform as part of the FASO Broadway kids ensemble.
“I’m especially excited to work with the youngsters singing solos and parts of the von Trapp children,” said Shroder. “From the beginning of the audition process, I was very impressed with the overwhelming talent of these children. They are just amazing. Most of them can read notes. They are always on time and come prepared during rehearsals.”
Shroder further shared, “Mimil Miñosa-Rosales will be helping us with the acting and choreography. Mimil was one of the prima ballerinas during the time of Tita Conching Sunico at the Metropolitan Theater (Met) in Manila. We worked and toured together during my Manila Symphony Orchestra days at the Met where we performed Broadway musicals and zarzuelas.”
“We would like to encourage everyone to bring their entire families, including small children. This concert will be a good exposure to music and will bring tremendous value to their music appreciation experience.”
FASO will tap original arrangements used in Broadway musicals. Ramos said that he will arrange a few pieces especially for FASO and the show.
Tickets to “FASO Goes Broadway,” priced at $25, $40, $45, $60 and $100, are available with Arlene Ferrolino, FASO board of directors president, (213) 248-9850; Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936 and Andy Tecson (323) 467-5069. More details about the show at www.fasofoundation.org. Alex Theatre is located at 216 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203.