The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Manila!

Luzia got the ticket from her aunt. Senior Citizen. So there.

On a Wednesday noon while I was preparing my mind that I’ll be watching Varekai on that day, my friend, Luzia sent me a text message asking me if I’m free on the coming Saturday. I knew I would be, but I was ready to refuse whatever offer she may have as I’m too lazy to get out on that weekend.

But it was just unbelievable. She asked me to come with her to The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. I’ve always wanted to see the show, but my desire was not that enough so I thought I’d give up the idea of getting myself a ticket, but there it was, a free ticket!

I honestly cannot even remember the last time I watched and enjoyed a show in the CCP without holding a camera since my on-the-job training as a photographer for Ballet Philippines’ CCP Dance School performances. I’m glad we’ve got really good seats on the balcony, but the thing is, it doesn’t even matter where we were sitting. There are no dialogues, literally just the songs, so there’s nothing much to miss. The set design was nothing remarkable, quite simple but the motion graphics was just superb to balance things out. The lighting was also well-operated, well-blended to fit the mood of every song.

Blake Bowden, Alinta Chidzey, Andrew Conaghan, Michael Cormick, Trisha Crowe, Delia Hannah, Kirsten Hobbs, and Shaun Rennie, as well as the orchestra did very well. Their singing enunciation is excellent. I felt no restraints in their performances, and even played convincingly to the character embodied in each song.

The songs performed were those that stood out from their branding, as the likes of “All I Ask of You” (The Phantom of the Opera), “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” (Evita), and “Memory” (Cats). I didn’t even know that “No Matter What” (Whistle Down The Wind) is done by ALW, so Luzia and I were all giddy at our seats, reminiscing the boy band years of long ago.

The only thing that made me feel off is the transition. Since the show is a vast array of hits from musicals which are following a plot, one minute you’re feeling all hyped up, and the next minute you’re feeling sad. You can’t help get affected. It was just emotionally dragging, but altogether, it is just a great collection, like the playlist in your iPod. Almost every song becomes a favorite.

The success of his musicals is enough proof that Andrew Lloyd Webber has the gift of music. It is undeniable. The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber is truly a celebration not only of his gift, but also of every cast and crew involved in the process.