I Feel You... A Little.

Ida: "I get easily frustrated when I can't understand the words."
Russ: "It's because of the enunciation."
Ida: "I can deal with the enunciation!"
Russ: "Sshhh!"

The balcony is not exactly a good place to watch a play with actors donning the British accent. I found the sound system at Greenbelt 1 Onstage to be below par, although they adjusted it on Act 2. Or did they? We went to nearer seats eh. Hehehe.

Audie Gemora seemed to lack the energy for the title role. Nasapawan tuloy siya ni Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Mrs. Lovett. His momentum built up only from the time he went down the stage ramp. And this, unfortunately, being one of the moments when Russ was asleep. I nudged him more vigorously than demanded and said, "Hey, Sweeney Todd might slash your neck. He's going to the audience!" But that was just wishful thinking. Not a drop of (fake) blood was shed. I was totally expecting something in the fashion of the 1991 movie "The Addams Family," the part where Wednesday and Pugsley slashed each other in their school play. I didn't know Repertory Philippines didn't plan on doing it like that. But why? I seriously don't get it. That's why I can't help but compare this play to Papa Johnny Depp's movie by Tim Burton, which was so intense. Even when I was in grade school, a beauty pageant contestant was able to execute something like it (the skit involved her vomiting spaghetti and spewing blood).

I'm sorry, but the play, which I watched during its first public run, felt rather like a dress rehearsal. Tell me I'm mean, go on. I'm just saying that there are lots of points for improvement. It would help if Audie Gemora gets more practice brandishing a razor. He should take a cue from Marvin Ong who was great as Tobias and who did him in. I wonder why Audie Gemora's swaying movements were limited; could it be that the razor was real?! Hahaha... Anyway, there was also this part where it was Judge Turpin's first time to go up the barber shop. Sweeney Todd was pondering on killing him but when he turned to face him, he did so clockwise. So when he hid the razor with his right arm, the Judge, played by Roger Chua, must have seen it. Should have seen it. This fluke would have been avoided if the crew didn't rotate the establishment, which was done to show that Toby went to the back and sat there. Obviously, to me, the scene could have done without the 180-degree turn because it only disrupted the orientation of the top floor which was more crucial at this point. It didn't seem logical but then it probably was on the script. Oh well.

"Gusto pa naman ni Ida si sailorboy," said Russ. "Not him, the song!" I retorted. I was referring to "Johanna" by the character Anthony, played by Franco Laurel. Wish I heard it clearly though the first time. Either his voice was really soft or his mic was busted. The technical staff tried to remedy it on Act 1 but you can hear the scratch, meaning the volume was increased instead of just having the mic replaced. At least on Act 2 it was ok already. Going to Johanna played by Lena McKenzie, who Russ said looked like a Sto. Niño and who I said looked like a poodle, I would have to agree with Inquirer critic Gibbs Cadiz about her diction. Let's just say she didn't nail it. And her voice fluctuated at one point while reaching for the low notes. I'm not a musician but I know when something just doesn't sound as it should. Like when Beadle, played by Robbie Guevara, kind of missed his timing. I would have to say though, that the highlight of the play is the orchestra conducted by none other than Gerard Salonga. I even peeked below the stage during the break because my ears were quite pleased so my eyes had to see where the music was coming from. I liked it. Period. With regard the play, it was so-so. To tell you the truth, I even thought it would be a tad better if they invited Borat/Sacha Baron Cohen to play Alfonso Pirelli. Hahaha!

For an expert's review of the play, check out Gibbs Cadiz.

Let Me Tell You About My Way Home Last Night...

I rode the UP Ikot jeep at 6pm, as usual. Although if I knew it was actually a love boat for the only two passengers who were so overtly sweethearts, I would have hesitated. They were tickling each other and such; you can almost smell their libidos. At one instance, the girl exclaimed, "Oh shit!" when the boy poked her -- literally, and not what you sexual beings have in mind. And at another point, the boy playfully chastised the girl when she assumed the supine position, her head cradled on his lap. "O, huwag kang humiga dito sa Ikot." ("Don't lie down in the jeepney.") By this time, I had a seatmate. Thank goodness there's someone to share the torture with. I was sitting right across the boy -- I dared not stare at his face. When finally they reached their stop, which is Vinzons Hall, I looked at their faces. Jeezaz they looked almost the same. So it may be true then, if you're compatible with that person, you'll strongly resemble each other by the way you look, dress, speak, etc.

Several stations thereafter, my eyes painfully came across another couple in their college uniforms cuddling while waiting for I don't know which other public transportation vehicle passes by the corner of Ylanan Road. Well, it was painful not in the sense that I envied them, but the boy's hand was slowly inching down from the girl's hip to her right butt cheek -- and she was really really thin. As in Calista Flockhart-thin. So was he. The sight was disturbing.

Continuing on my journey in a yellow jeepney, at the checkpoint near Fine Arts, I saw this woman wearing a baby blue spaghetti-strapped sando with matching headband and she was squatting down like a child trying to poop on soil. I figured she was like that because she was tired of waiting for somebody -- her husband, lover, friend, or all of the above. Plus the fact that there were no benches around. I said to myself, "Me, I am not waiting for anyone. I know that if somebody's meant to be mine, he or she will come in good time."

*Somewhere out there, beneath the pale moonlight, someone's thinking of me...* I remember thinking, before I boarded the jeep, how beautiful the crescent moon was. Then I stopped when I saw the honeymooners.

Let's go back to my travel homeward. There I was on the small side seat inside a Krus na Ligas (KNL) tricycle when I overheard the manong driver say, "Baka sabihin niya, tricycle driver lang ako." Meaning he was probably courting someone who he thinks might look down on him, since he's only a trycycle driver. The passenger behind him answered, but I failed to follow their conversation because my attention was stolen by the Christmas lights at the top of an apartment. (As some of you might know, KNL can be a pretty colorful place, with all those different faces and tiny establishments.)

After walking from our village's guard house, I arrived at home and was welcomed by my ever-excited brother, Dollar. Why are dogs such happy creatures? It's unbelievable. If I had a human who would jump om me when I open the door and move frantically about until I have patted him, I'd probably be one of the most contented persons on earth. Not that I need someone right now. During the whole trip I didn't even think about any individual in particular -- like one from a lost love. All I'm saying is, if I had a suitor who has a car and who would drive me home everyday, I wouldn't have to think about this things. Haha, yeah right! =P