Joanna Ampil plays the role of Maria in the Manila production of “The Sound of Music.” Photo by Karen Flores, abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – MANILA, Philippines – After almost three decades, the hills are alive once again.

The cast and production team of “The Sound of Music” gave the good news last week during a press conference at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater, where the family musical will be staged starting October 15.
 
At the helm of staging and direction is Roxanne Lapus, who said that the local version of “The Sound of Music” will move “at a faster pace” compared to the 1959 classic.
 
“We edited the play so it’s a bit faster. The set changes differently so there’s no waiting time for the audience,” she said.
 
“The concept we’re trying to put together is a play that is traditional, with all these wonderful values of the 30s. We also want to give it newness with the use of the LED wall and state-of-the-art technology.”
 
Lapus said she removed four scenes from the original play “just to make it seamless,” but made up for it by adding a song from the 1965 “The Sound of Music” film, which starred Julie Andrews.
 
The extra scene is “I Have Confidence,” which Maria (Andrews) sang while traveling from the abbey to the Von Trapp house.
 
Lapus assured, however, that the timeless songs such as “So Long, Farewell,” “Do-Re-Mi” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” are here to stay.
 
Asked about her favorite part of the musical, she said, “The nuns. The singing of the nuns. It’s like a slice of heaven.”
 
The cast
 
London-based thespian Joanna Ampil plays the role of Maria in the Manila production of “The Sound of Music,” with Cris Villonco as her alternate.
 
Ampil, who portrayed Kim in the West End production of “Miss Saigon” in London and Maria in the local production of “West Side Story,” said her newest project is a “dream come true.”
 
“I’ve played several prostitutes and this is my first nun role. I’ve always wanted to be a nun,” she said in jest.
 
Lapus then chimed in, saying, “I don’t think she’ll (Ampil) have any difficulty with the role (of Maria). She has shown great promise and abilities.”
 
Returning as Captain Georg von Trapp is Audie Gemora, who played the same role almost 30 years ago. His alternates include Ed Feist and Jon Joven.
 
“I don’t normally like to repeat roles, but I said yes,” he said.
 
Except for Ampil and Gemora, cast members of “The Sound of Music” had to go through a rigorous audition process.
 
Lapus noted that some 300 artists, including pop stars and big names on stage, tried to get the coveted roles.
 
“We had to put ourselves in the minds of Austrians in the 30s. We had to immerse ourselves in culture and history,” said Marvin Ong, who plays the role of Rolf, the love interest of Liesl von Trapp (portrayed by Tanya Manalang).
 
“Coming back to theater was a refreshing feeling for me… ‘Sound of Music’ is one of the most beautifully written pieces of music.”
 
The message
 
Beyond the great music, acting and props, however, “The Sound of Music” tells a wonderful story about God and family, Lapus stressed.
 
She made the statement as some performers tend to focus too much on their singing and dancing instead of the play’s message and values.
 
“I always tell all my actors, before you’re a singer or dancer, you’re a storyteller. Know the story of the play, the values it wants to show,” she explained.
 
“You shouldn’t get lost in the music.”
 
Lapus then went on to say that the Manila production of “The Sound of Music” has at least two main messages.
 
The first is conveyed through Maria: “The best way to serve God is to do his will.”
 
The second, on the other hand, is delivered by the character of Georg von Trapp: “Stand by your beliefs. The true measure of a man or a woman is his or her integrity.”
 
Meanwhile, Resorts World vice president for marketing Jeff Evora said an all-Filipino play is “in the works” as they strive to be the stage for world-class Filipino talent.
 
The play, he said, will not only feature local actors and production members, but also a story that is uniquely ours.
 
“We want to be the focus of Filipino talent here and in other parts of the globe,” he said.
 
“The Sound of Music” will run starting October 15 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City. For more information, call (632) 836-6333 or 908-8833.