MANILA, Philippines - Two of the country’s most accomplished musical theater’s actors topbill the cast of Atlantis Productions’ “Next to Normal.” They are Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Jett Pangan who essay demanding roles written for musical theater originated on Broadway by Tony Award winning actress Alice Riply and J. Robert Spencer. Menchu plays the role of Diana, while rock star Jett is Dan.

Bobby Garcia directs the Manila production of “Next to Normal,” which is the first licensed English language production outside the United States.

Bobby said, “I am thrilled that Atlantis is opening 2011 with a show as ground-breaking and as demanding as ‘Next to Normal.’ It is one of the most unlikely hit musicals to have ever opened on a Broadway stage, and I am thrilled that we will get to create our own unique family for this production. When I saw ‘Next to Normal’ off-Broadway two years ago and on Broadway last year, I was once again excited for the future of musical theater.”

“Next to Normal” opens Atlantic Productions’ 2011 Season, after celebrating its 2010 Season with hit productions “Avenue Q,” “Legally Blonde,” “Xanadu” and the Manila and Singapore run of “A Little Night Music.” Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey penned the emotional work that puts a woman’s lifelong struggle with bi-polar disorder and depression center stage. The two earned the 2009 Tony Award for Best Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Joining Menchu and Jett in the cast of “Next to Normal” which will be staged beginning tomorrow, March 11, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City, are Felix Rivera, Bea Garcia, Jake Macapagal and Filipino-Norwegian Markki Stroem, finalist to “Pilipinas Got Talent.”

Markki confessed to having been star-strucked the first time he saw Menchu. “Wow, she was just so good, and so talented. I’m really amazed at her talent.” On the other hand, Menchu also expressed admiration for Markki who she described as “very talented and naturally instinctive.”

Menchu, by the way, will soon be releasing a CD-lite featuring seven musical theater songs from shows she has performed in the past. The CD, produced by Atlantis and released by Sony Music, will contain two songs from “Next to Normal.”

“Next to Normal” will run from March 11 to 27. Tickets are available at Atlantis Productions and Ticketworld.

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Edu donates cancer wing in honor of dad

From EDSA, on Quezon Blvd. headed towards the Quezon Memorial Circle near the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center is the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC). Near the hospital’s Emergency Room at the north wing is the recently established Adrian Manzano Cancer Wing (AMCW), named after the late father of multi-awarded actor and TV host Edu Manzano.

Early last month, Edu inaugurated the AMCW which he donated to the PCMC in honor of his father Adrian whom he described as someone who genuinely loved helping children in need.

The facility will serve as an isolation and treatment place for children in need of chemotherapy and blood transfusions. It has a colorful, cheerful design and amenities meant to make treatments less traumatic for young patients.

It has six treatment cubicles, each equipped with a TV and DVD player to keep the children entertained while undergoing treatment or recovering.

Such an admirable undertaking by Edu deserves everyone’s support and prayers.

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MYX announces awards nominees

MYX, the No. 1 music channel in the Philippines, announced recently the nominees for this year’s MYX Music Awards 2011.

There are 19 awards categories in all, including the most coveted: Favorite Artist, Favorite Group and Favorite Music Video. The other categories are Favorite Song, Favorite Artist, Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Male Artist, Favorite Group, Favorite Mellow Video, Favorite Rock Video, etc.

The nominees to the Favorite Music Video are: “Disney” (Tanya Markova); “Jeepney Love Story” (Yeng Constantino); “Kung Wala Ka Na” (6Cyclemind feat. Kean Cipriano and Yeng); “Lakas” (Sandwich); and “Liwanag” (Callalily). For Favorite Song, the nominees are: “Cariño Brutal” (Slapschock); “Disney” (Tanya Markova); “Jeepney Love Story” (Yeng Constantino); “Kung Wala Ka Na” (6Cyclemind feat. Kean Cipriano and Yeng); and “Pakiusap” (Parokya ni Edgar).

For Favorite Artist, the nominees are: Callalily, Christian Bautista, Parokya ni Edgar, Sandwich and Yeng Constantino. For Favorite Female Artist: Juris, KC Concepcion, Kyla, Sarah Geronimo and Yeng Constantino. For Favorite Male Artist: Billy Crawford, Christian Bautista, Gloc9, Piolo Pascual and Rico Blanco. For Favorite Group: 6Cyclemind, Callalily, Parokya ni Edgar, Sandwich and Slapshock.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 10, go to renowned violinist John Lesaca, Mrs. Lourdes Cruz, TJ Manotoc, Alex C. Estrada, Pete Dacuycuy, Erlinda “Ada” Santiago, Nelson Gumatay, Julia Barretto of ABS-CBN Star Magic, and JC de Vera of TV5…