Menchu says he’s OC, Raymond says she’s choosy.

It’s the first time singers-siblings Raymond and Menchu Lauchengco are doing a back-to-back show—and it’s not without a lot of side stories.

Some of these they told the media during an intimate lunch at One Beverly Place in Greenhills on Feb. 1.

Below are the more interesting ones that make concertgoers privy to the world beyond the stage lights:

(1) Most of the songs were picked by or had the approval of Raymond

“It ended up that way. If he left it up to me, I would’ve chosen obscure songs that would make people say when they hear it, ‘That’s nice, but what is it?’ He was afraid that if I put in all my Stephen Sondheim favorites, people would fall asleep! He chose something that many would recognize because he wants people singing along, humming, tapping their feet to the music,” said Menchu.

(2) Every detail in the show is a product of planned spontaneity

“Raymond is so OC! With the lights, the sound, the blocking...he checks on these things every five minutes and I’m like, ‘Let’s just sing.’ And then he’ll go, ‘Okay—but how does your mic sound?’ And I go, ‘What do you mean, ‘How does your mic sound?’” said Menchu, feigning exasperation.

Raymond added: “It’s not just me. Do you know that Menchu actually memorizes her scripts? I don’t mean memorizing key words but EVERY word. She doesn’t rely on, never liked using cue cards. The spiels may sound spontaneous but all of it are planned banter. Then again, that’s good, because we don’t want to ramble.”

(3) They prefer to sing together, rather than one after the other

“It’s not going to be, ‘O, you sing the first verse then I’ll sing the chorus then we’ll join forces in the chorus.’ We’ll be harmonizing most of the times and there’s hardly any solo spot. I think we can pull it off because Menchu can go both high and low and so can I; so we will just utilize the placements of voices for variety in texture,” said Raymond.

(4) No pop song for her, please

“I’m not even going to attempt to take on Top 40. I’m not comfortable singing such songs. It’s not for me nor do the songs from that genre fit my voice. I mean, technically, I can sing pop…but it would sound really funny kasi sobrang linis. Once, when I sang pop, my friends joked, ‘Wow, we didn’t even know that song had those lyrics or notes.’ Sobra kasing linis nung version ko.

“But I’ll be singing Broadway songs that have crossed over to becoming standards such as ‘Someone To Watch Over Me.’ And it will sound more like Barbra Streisand when she sings pop,” said Menchu.

(5) Menchu will utilize different techniques in singing the songs because...

“I don’t know what my real voice is! I’ve done so many different roles in the past, each of which required a particular technique, I’ll just sing in the way that’s best for each song in the repertoire.”

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Since appearing as Louis when he was twelve years old in the Repertory Philippines’ staging of “The King and I,” Raymond pursued a singing career, recording a total of eight albums (the latest of which is “Full Circle,” his big band album) and performing in concerts around the country and the world.

Menchu, on the other hand, proceeded to conquer the stage with one memorable performance after another in dozens of musicals, including the role of Ellen, the wife of American soldier Chris, in the Manila staging of “Miss Saigon.”  Her recent portrayal of Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd” is considered among her finest performances.

Raymond and Menchu’s dinner-concert titled “Sibling Revelry” will be held at the Rockwell Tent on Feb. 14. The repertoire consists of big band standards, soulful ballads and songs from Broadway and West End.

The premiere balladeer and the first lady of Philippine musical theater will be accompanied by an eight-piece band comprising of two keyboardists, one bassist, one drummer, two trumpeteers, one trombonist, and one saxophonist under the musical direction of Jun Austria.

Prior to the concert, a four-course, sit-down dinner with a menu designed and prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Him Uy de Baron of Chef Cuisine will be served to guests.  Dinner will be served from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.  The show promptly begins at 8 p.m.

“Sibling Revelry” is presented by Chevrolet and is also made possible by 105.1 Crossover, Yellow Door Gallery, Empire Macarons, Chef Cuisine, Terra Wellness Spa, Pink Wheels Car Insurance for Women, Rajo Laurel, JC Buendia, Team Big Wave, Imarflex, Cuisinart and Saeco.

Tickets at Php 3,300 (inclusive of dinner).  For free delivery within Metro Manila, contact (0939) 128-6569. Also available a TicketWorld 891-9999.