Star Powerhouse

Wicked,   the   Broadway   and   West   End   musical   phenomenon,   acclaimed   as   “one   of   the   greatest   musicals   of   our   time”   (Daily   Mail,   UK)   is   set   to   cast  its   magical   spell   over   Manila   audiences   when   it   returns   in   early   2017. To   be   part   of   the   ticket   waitlist,  visit http://graphics.ticketworld.com.ph/wicked/ . The  incredible  original  production,  which  is  coming  direct  from  a  multi  record-­‐breaking  tour  of  the  UK  and  Ireland,  flies  into  Manila   for  a  special  limited engagement  as  part  of  a  major  international  tour.

Crime + Investigation Network (CI) presents “60 Days In,” an unprecedented new, original docu-series following seven innocent participants who enter the dangerous world of incarceration at the Clark County Jail in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in an effort to expose internal issues and what really happens behind bars. As a result of the facility’s recent corrupt history, Sheriff Jamey Noel has devised a program where seven participants will live among the facility’sgeneralpopulationfor 60 days without officers, fellow inmates, or staff knowing their secret. Around-the-clock cameras captured this unparalleled access in an effort to bring problems to light and give viewers a first-hand look as the participants adapt to unfamiliar and terrifying surroundings. “60 DaysIn” is a warts-and-all view of what life is like behind bars, through the eyes of people who have never been charged with a crime or done time.

OVERVIEW  The Pillowman is a 2003 play by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. It received its first public reading in an early version at the Finborough Theatre, London, in 1995. It tells the tale of Katurian, a fiction writer living in a police state who is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories, and their similarities to a number of bizarre child murders occurring in his town. The play received the 2004 Olivier Award for Best New Play, the 2004-5 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best New Foreign Play, and two Tony Awards for production. It was nominated for the 2004 Evening Standard Award for Best New Play. (Wikipedia.com)

After the brief festival run of its productions, Maniacal (Fringe Manila 2015) and Schism (Fringe Manila 2016), Egg Theater Company presents its first full-run production with a Filipino Translation of Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman.

HISTORY®premieres “Roots” on 31 May 2016 , airing over four consecutive nights at 9pm (PH).  The four-night, eight-hour event series developed by HISTORY, from A+E Studios, is a historical portrait of American slavery recounting the journey of one family and their will to survive and ultimately carry on their legacy despite hardship.

A bevy of fab and fit hopefuls was filled with excitement, anticipation, and exhilarating energy as Century Tuna recently presented its lineup of finalists for the much-awaited Century Tuna Superbods Nation 2016, the biggest, hottest and most fabulous summer event in the country brought to you by the country's number 1 tuna.

After a much-needed break, Ballet Manila Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde takes center stage in “BM 21” on March 19, 2016, 8:00 p.m. at Aliw Theater. The concert gala ends its current performance season; as it marks a new and exciting season for Ballet Manila. With show pieces handpicked by Lisa herself, "BM 21" is a testament to the group's unrivaled discipline and versatility, being the only company in the Philippines trained in the Russian Vaganova method. Lisa explains,  "The  ballet technique was devised by Russian dancer Agrippina Vaganova in the 1800s.  Vaganova involves the whole body in every movement, with equal attention paid to the upper body, legs and feet. This approach increases consciousness of the body, creating a harmony of movement".

HOOQ, Asia’s first and largest premium video streaming service, marks its first anniversary in the country this March and is very proud to be the number one paid video OTT service in the Philippines with over 100,000 paying subscribers.  In addition, HOOQ was also recently named Best Mobile App in the Media, Film, TV or Video category at the GSMA’s Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards 2016 in Barcelona.  The start-up venture of Singtel, Warner Bros. Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television launched first in the Philippines, before its expansion to Thailand and India. With over 35,000 hours of Hollywood, regional and Filipino movies and TV shows made available to every Filipino through any smart device, HOOQ has become an integral part of the Pinoy tech and entertainment driven lifestyle. 

Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Mabining Mandirigma,” a reappraisal in musical form of the heroism and legacy of Apolinario Mabini that featured the radical casting of a female actor in the role of the revolutionary patriot, took the lead in the 2015 nominations for the Gawad Buhay!, the Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts, with 13 nods in the performance and technical categories. Following “Mabining Mandirigma” is the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s “Arbol de Fuego,” which transposed Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” to the haciendas of Negros in the martial law era, with 12 nominations.

De La Salle University’s premiere and only recognized theatre organization, DLSU Harlequin Theatre Guild, will be staging DuLa Salle 2k15:Kolab. The production features 4 plays in 1 show that were written by students of the 20th Palanca Hall of Fame Awardee, Sir Nicholas Pichay and directed by the Guild’s very own student-artists. BILLBOARD  Billboard is a story of different perspectives and choices. We will be sent into the world of Caloy as he readies himself for another chapter in his life as a billboard worker, working with the experienced 40-year-old Mang Emong. The two have contradicting personalities. Caloy is curious while Mang Emong is practical. In the middle of their work, a car accident happens on the streets below them, with two different reactions, each makes a stand to act on what is right and what is wrong. BALOT     The BuwanngWika celebration has just come to an end in a certain school. One of the tables has plentiful leftover food and plastic containers ready

Laguna, Philippines - Last March 9 Wednesday 2016, we are invited to watch a Filipino adaptation of William Golding's Lord of the Flies entitled “Coro de los Diablos” directed by Professor Joey Ting. The adaptation was made by Ms. Layeta Bucoy. It was a re-run of a previous play in UP Diliman, but this time it was performed in Los Baños, Laguna inside Charles Fuller Baker Memorial Hall in UPLB. As we enter the Hall, I saw a circular designed stage like it was mimicking an MMA octagon ring, but with a lot of metallic tubing around it, which I think portrays the jungle. The first scene was started with a chorus song with a projected video that shows the beginning of World War III. The six main actors/actresses was then introduced as they form a circular shape outside the ring while singing the supposedly “World Future Leaders Convention” song. The story flows with a lot of struggles, urges, hallucination, and the desperation of each character as they try to survive within a fore

Philippines, Marc h 10 - Originally performed  at the Magic Castle in Hollywood back in the early 2000, Masters of Illusion was revived for regular airing on television. Featuring some of the best magicians in the world, each episode is a visual treat. Whatever your brand of magic is, the show has something for you. See mentalists, illusionists, and escape artists, just to name a few. Relive your love for this classic entertainment that’s full of modern twists.

SYNOPSIS  In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood’s top screenwriter until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs. TRUMBO (directed by Jay Roach) recounts how Dalton used words and wit to win two Academy Awards and expose the absurdity and injustice of the blacklist, which entangled everyone from gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren) to John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Otto Preminger. The film also stars Diane Lane, John Goodman, Louis C.K., Elle Fanning, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

Some may say his destiny to become a thespian in Philippine theater was laid down even before he was born. After all, his mother is none other than the Original Diva, Ms. Dulce. But David Ezra has worked hard literally and figuratively to reach wherever he is right now. Born David Ezra Llamedo Cruz, David is not new in the theater scene. As a graduate of University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory of Music with a degree in Music Education majoring in Voice, he has wide experience in musical theater. He takes pride in being honed through UST's musical revue of some of Broadway's biggest hits. He was even part of Repertory Philippines' Sweeney Todd and Seussical.

'March Madness’ takes on a new meaning for anime fans this month, as Animax premieres two series that viewers will go mad for!  Fans in Asia are in for a double dose of fantasy and romance when the first 24-hour anime channel in Asia exclusively launches two sci-fi/ adventure  series this month: Brynhildr in the Darkness and Rage of Bahamut: Genesis.

Gerald Anderson Foundation Inc., wants to help save lives by training for search and rescue operations. It encourages everyone to have pets undergo coaching to help fellow Filipinos in times of need especially in calamities such flood and earthquake.

Teatro Kaligatan Foundation' PERATEDES Teatro Kaligatan Foundation, Incorporated brings back to the stage one of 2015’s top plays – PERATEDES, Victorio Concepcion’s Filipino adaptation of Spanish dramatist Federico Garcia Lorca’s play THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA.

Romantic-comedy film "Always Be My Maybe" is top-billed by Gerald Anderson and Arci Muñoz. Helmed by award-winning director Dan Villegas, "Always Be My Maybe" is a post-Valentine movie of Star Cinema that will exhibit Gerald and Arci's maturity and romantic charm.