Push Admin

Gian Magdangal makes PH theater comeback in 'Newsies'

Article (news)

Jeeves de Veyra

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/07/04/newsies-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Gian Magdangal plays plays Jack Kelly, the leader of the newsboys in the musical &#x27;Newsies.&#x27; <cite>Photo by author</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Actor-singer Gian Magdangal is set to make his big comeback to the local theater scene in the musical “Newsies,” which opens this Friday at the Globe Iconic Amphitheater at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. </p><p>Based on the 1992 Disney movie starring a young Christian Bale, <br/>&quot;Newsies,&quot; which tells the story of a newsboys’ strike against publisher Jack Pulitzer, marks Magdangal&#x27;s first theatrical foray since leaving Manila three years ago to work at Hong Kong Disneyland. </p><p>Magdangal played Shang in &quot;The Golden Mickeys,&quot; a musical revue-style show, and launched the 10th anniversary show, “Mickey and Wondrous Book.” He recalled performing four to five shows a day, five days a week, at the Hong Kong theme park.</p><ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read:">	<li><strong>Read: </strong> <a href=" http://news.abs-cbn.com/global-filipino/02/18/15/how-pinoy-went-singing-contest-finalist-disney-prince">How Pinoy went from singing contest finalist to Disney prince </a></li></ul><p>He then moved to Universal Studios Osaka in Japan for one year doing shows for special occasions and guests.</p><p>“It isn’t the glamorous life of an artista here in Manila. You’re a cast member, an employee with a number. You clock in and you clock out. It was corporate entertainment. I was representing the name of the company, not as Gian Magdangal. It was an eye-opening experience as a performer,” he said at the recent press conference for &quot;Newsies,&quot; which won the Tony for Best Choreography and Best Score in 2012.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/07/04/newsies-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Gian Magdangal performs a duet with Danielle Chopin at the press con of &#x27;Newsies.&#x27; <cite>Photo by author</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>After three years, the former &quot;Philippine Idol&quot; contestant decided to come home to support his 9-year-old son. </p><p>“It’s funny how I spent two years in Hong Kong Disneyland and I found myself back in Disney in a Manila musical,” said Magdangal, who plays Jack Kelly, the leader and big brother of the newsboys in the 9 Works Theatrical production.</p><p>Since returning to Manila, Magdangal has been playing catch up at &quot;Training Camp,&quot; the daily six- to seven-hour multidisciplinary sessions 9 Works Theatrical has set up for the cast to produce theatrical “triple threats” or performers who can sing, dance, and act to address the stringent demands of “Newsies.”</p><p>Through the training camp, choreographer PJ Rebullida has been drilling ballet, tap, jazz, and even gymnastics so that the cast can do justice to the choreography.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/07/04/newsies-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">&#x27;Newsies&#x27; won the Tony Award for best choreography. <cite>Photo by author</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Joining Magdangal in the musical are two-time Gawad Buhay best actor awardee Jef Flores, Daniel Drilon (&quot;Secret Garden,&quot; &quot;Fun Home&quot;), Tory Cortez (&quot;A Christmas Carol&quot;), Luis Marcelo (&quot;Little Shop of Horrors&quot;), and MYX VJ Alex Diaz. </p><p>Also in the cast are stage veterans Pinky Marquez, Ariel Reonal and Raymund Concepcion.</p><p>“Newsies” promises to be another spectacular production that 9 Works Theatrical and Globe Live collaborations have become known for. The two companies first teamed up in last year&#x27;s &quot;American Idiot.&quot;</p><p>Filipino ingenuity will be in the spotlight as director Robbie Guevara said they couldn’t copy costumes, choreography and sets from previous &quot;Newsies&quot; productions. </p><p>&quot;Newsies&quot; will have 8 p.m. shows in BGC until July 30.</p>

<p>Actor-singer Gian Magdangal is set to make his big comeback to the local theater scene in the musical “Newsies,” which opens this Friday at the Globe Iconic Amphitheater at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. </p>

Actor-singer Gian Magdangal is set to make his big comeback to the local theater scene in the musical “Newsies,” which opens this Friday at the Globe Iconic Amphitheater at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.