Franco Laurel as Anthony in ‘Sweeney Todd’

Perhaps one of the reasons “Sweeney Todd” was restaged in Manila late last year after 27 years (the last time was in 1982) is that it is one of the most challenging musicals to take on even by the most seasoned cast and crew.

Actors are not only required to flesh out characters who go through disparate emotions in a heartbeat, but they must have a wide vocal range and masterful singing ability to effectively essay music marked by dissonance the way its composer, the legendary Stephen Sondheim, intended it to be.

The crew, on the other hand, has to act with precise timing to keep up with the ever changing scenes and scenarios. Ditto with the orchestra (FILharmoniKA led by conductor Gerard Salonga in the latest production) who must be on their toes to stay in sync with what unfolds onstage.

The macabre comedy that “Sweeney Todd” makes for an interesting, if not twisted, combination. A barber who was imprisoned in Australia on false charges, returns to England to avenge the family he lost while he was away. He slits throats, yet he makes us laugh, too. It’s a study of contrasts and it works well.

These are some of the reasons that its latest incarnation at Onstage, Greenbelt 1 from Nov. 14 to Dec. 13 attracted more and more people to every show. People just couldn’t pass up the chance to watch “Sweeney Todd” nor share the wonderful experience with their friends and family.

Every curtain call ended up with the audience on their feet, lustily applauding all who are involved in the show, most especially cast members Audie Gemora (in the title role), Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Mrs. Lovet), Franco Laurel (Anthony), Lena Mckenzie (Johanna) and Marvin Ong (Tobias). This early, many people already predict that these actors are shoo-ins for awards in 2010 in the respective categories they qualify.

The lead characters Audie and Menchu, along with Franco got the loudest cheers for their winning performance. Franco played the role of male romantic lead with such youthful energy and zeal that he was able to make his every appearance onstage count.

A prized theater actor in his own right, having been named Aliw Award Best Stage Actor in a Musical in 2002 and in 2009, Franco was a revelation in both acting and singing departments. He so convinced the audience that Anthony was so madly in love with Johanna that he, naturally, will go against anyone, do anything (including committing murder) in order to be with his lady love.

Franco laid down the premise of his character so well that the conclusion seemed imminent and even, to a certain point, acceptable. The actor also sang marvelously in “Sweeney Todd.” His caramel voice was perfect match for the purity of Anthony’s persona, and yet it had the right amount of urgency when needed (particularly right after he had just rescued Johanna from the asylum).

Franco also breezed through the tall order of singing low and high notes in ladder fashion. Not a note was missed nor skipped, while the tutored voice projection filled up the venue without losing its inherent sweetness.

His diction was amazing. Even when many of the lyrics were crafted to seem like a test for tongue-twister, no one in the audience was lost to what he was saying. Clearly and surely did he tell his story which made him capture the people from the get-go. And to think he had to act, too, while singing!

We won’t be surprised at all, to see Franco receiving his next acting trophy this year.

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The Beach Boys is set to bring back revival tunes

After a series of live performances by top international artists showcasing musical genres that cater to the youth, the local concert scene reverts to a revival mode as it welcomes the group acclaimed as America’s first and best rock and roll band of the 1960s: The Beach Boys.

The Beach Boys, which became an international sensation for its hits “Surfin’ USA” and “Good Vibrations,” will take Pinoy fans on an unforgettable trip down memory lane when it comes to Manila to perform at a concert on Jan. 27 at the Araneta Coliseum.

“The Beach Boys Live in Manila!,” a one-night show to be mounted by Ovation Productions brings back the celebrated group to the concert scene more than four years after its sold-out debut performance here in October, 2005, also at the Big Dome.

Among The Beach Boys’ classic songs which have become eternal anthems of American youth are their first hit “Surfin,” “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Barbara Anna,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It be Nice,” “Rock and Roll Music,” “Kokomo,” and many more.

Headed by lead vocalist and Beach Boys founding member Mike Love, the newest incarnation of the band includes 40-year Beach Boy-vet Bruce Johnston (vocals, keyboards), Mike Kowalski (drums), Adrian Baker (guitar, vocals), Chris Farmer (bass, vocals), Tim Bonhomme (keyboards, vocals), John Cowsill of The Cowsills (keyboards, vocals, percussion) and Scott Totten (guitar, vocals).

The band continues to entertain millions with the same bold imagination and style that marked its explosive debut more than 40 years ago, performing at an astonishingly busy schedule of concerts across the globe, including the Philippines, that average 150 shows a year.

“The Beach Boys Live In Manila!” is sponsored by Imarflex, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, RJ 100.3 FM and ABS-CBN. Other supporters include the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Philstar.com, GetzMo!, OptimaSignsolutions, NU 107, 105.1 FM Crossover, 105.9 FM Underground Radio, Power 104.3, 96.3 Easy Rock and 97.9 Home Radio. Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores.