Showing posts with label chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chicago. Show all posts

My "Chicago" the Musical Moments with Smart Infinity

Friday, December 12, 2014



We went all the way to Solaire a few days ago to attend the first few days of one of the worlds greatest musicals "CHICAGO" hosted by equally great premium mobile services of Smart Communications called Smart Infinity. Members didn't just get discounts but perks to actually get tickets way before the public could get one. They do this to most of the musicals they've brought here from around the world. It was a dream for me though because I fell in love with the story when the movie came out. 


I super duper love the way they do it with Smart Infinity because their approach is very personal. I felt the sincerity, and they were there (literally on the venue and in character) to always make you feel special. Mind you, this is the only one I've experienced but they've got a lot of other things in the pipeline. There were a bunch of shows I think that they will be doing on 2015 which was awesome to know they'll be sternly supporting as part of their services.


The production here was awesome. Although there were not that much set design or art direction happening in this version of Chicago, you still get to see why musicals like these differ from the local ones we have in Manila. It was a performance, lead stars Terra MacLeod (Velma Kelly) and Bianca Marroquin (Roxie Hart) brought their A game and didn't short change the people who wanted to watch the show as much as I do. Aside from the lead cast, the guy who played Roxie Hart's husband and the one who did Matron "Mama" Morton. Don't be fooled by the weak character he played because he's a mean singer, whilst Mama had us stare and marvel at how big her character was during the screening. Aside from that, the ladies made a great job with the Cellblock tango who had explained their roles and lives individually, a feat that was tantamount to the success of pointing where the story will be heading. It was like 20's, mobs, tommy guns, cash, prostitution, gangsters and jazz all in one package.  


Much to everyone's surprise, there were several Filipino musicians in the orchestra. I even think there were only a few of them who were not, like the pianist and conductor. Robert Billig, Chicago's Musical Director Robert Billig says he had around 14 Pinoys do the show aside from those flying in from the US and just got them materials to rehearse with. They got a 4 hour rehearsal last December 2 and voila! That was the start of their Chicago run in Manila.

Robert knew we had really good musicians here because he worked pretty much with Lea Salonga during the Miss Saigon run in New York. Lester Dematillo (banjo, mandolin) and Jayson Rivera (ukulele, woodwind) were part of it and they knew it wasn't going to be easy. They rushed into rehearsals and had to do the show on the next day, unlike their previous staging of Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, they had very small time in order to do this. Yet they sound exactly like Chicago, even when they had their eyes were closed. It's so great to know that getting the chance to watch this is just one of the perks being a Smart Infinity member. In “Chicago” alone, some were able to get complimentary VIP tickets, discounts and privileges received through Smart Infinity, alongside Visa who are major sponsors.



Ms. Julie Carceller, Department Head of the Smart Infinity Business Group at Smart says “Just like the successful local runs of other world-class stage spectacles like ‘Cats,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ and ‘Wicked,’ bringing ‘Chicago’ to the Philippines is again a very special treat for our subscribers” whilst Smart's Marketing Manager at Smart Infinity Mr. James Chi adds “The ongoing run of ‘Chicago’ is part of the realization of the premium mobile lifestyle that complements the experience our members get from Smart Infinity. The experience of seeing the longest-running Broadway musical in Manila is really a big takeaway for our members”. I personally didn't get to attend the iPhone 6 launch but Smart Infinity got first dibs in the iPhone6 plus last November 14. Today, they still have on going promos for new Smart Infinity subscribers to have the option to get the iPhone 6 (64GB) or the iPhone 6 Plus (16GB) with an additional P5,000 worth of GCs or bill rebates compliments of Smart Infinity starting on the consumable Prestige Plan 5000. You can also opt for SMART's fully consumable Premium Plan 8000 where new subscribers can get two 16GB units of the iPhone 6, or an iPhone 6 16GB plus a MacBook Air. If you opt for the Plan P3500 per month, or have the Aspire Plan, it can come with a 16GB iPhone 6. Amazing!

You can check Smart Infinity's offers here! COW

For more information about their promos:
Smart Communications
Smart Communications
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Visit their official website

http://www1.smart.com.ph/corporate

Smart Infinity Brings "CHICAGO The Musical" in Manila

Wednesday, September 17, 2014





Smart Infinity brings more things than just personalized service, VIP network access, they've got VIP privileges in the bag too. They just made us victims of shock and awe last Tuesday at the Solaire Grand Ballroom by bringing Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and all that jazz with CHICAGO the Musical in Manila. It's the most sexy, sleek and sophisticated show built with sharp humor and modern glam charm setting fire on stage this December 2-21st, 2014. Think of 6 Tony Awards, 2 Laurence Olivier Awards and a Grammy, this isn't your ordinary show. 

To even make it better and create our own moment in Solaire, they started performing!





THE THEATER at Solaire has got state of the art audio and video facilities. It will open it's doors with this show as an opening salvo. It'll be less than three months to go before we see that. Solaire's executives welcomed us also and wishes us to come back and see their lyrical theater in all its glory and to create more moments soon. They are expanding more of the resort side as they have finished it's primary structures. They promise new places for luxury, night life and more fun at the venue.

Audie Gemora will spearhead all events at THE THEATER in Solaire
 


Ms Julie Carceller Head of Smart Infinity Business at Smart Communications says bringing this new event to the Filipinos is but a great pleasure, they've brought Wicked, Mama Mia, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Stomp and now, Chicago The Musical. They believe bringing these world class shows can only deliver true value to customers, a thing they strongly believe in for their VIP's. Chicago will only come in the Philippines, and no other Asian country will have it and they are looking forward for a great number of musical loving Pinoys to catch a glimpse of it in The Theater, Solaire!


It's clever, it's witty, it's sexy and sassy, plus the choreography is incredible! Thanks to Smart Infinity for bringing Chicago The Musical to Manila. 



Terra MacLeod says "Through movement you have to deliver the message of the show. It sculpts the body and that's quite unique for the show. Standing in who you are, being vulnerable, you grow with it. I loved the movie but you can't compare it because it's live theater. It's going to be powerful and you'll see something powerful like what Paris and Montreal has seen and now you in Manila"

Bianca Marroquin and Terra MacLeod will make you forget that you're in Manila when CHICAGO The Musical starts on December 2-21st, 2014 at THE THEATER in Solaire
"The only constant thing in life is change. The only thing constant in life is Roxy. After 18 years it's like we just opened because people say we are the best in Broadway. Our mission is to move hearts, their minds, they allow us to be who we are. Staying honest. We are truthful, the script is strict. They'll understand you, you can get the audience on your side." says Bianca Marroquin who plays Roxy Hart in the show.

You'll find this show quite interesting if you've watched the movie with Renée Zellweger as Roxanne "Roxie" Hart and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly. It's quite different when you see it live and it'll give you chills while watching. I know I did during the preview and those were like 3 numbers only, what more a full show and that eagerly awaited prison cell scene we've gotten to know about in the movie. You can still get tickets from Ticketworld or if you subscribe through Smart Infinity's special offers. Just check the channels below. Remember, it's going to happen on December 2 and run until the 21st. I can't wait to be in the gala. See you there!

You can check Smart Infinity's offers here!
COW

For more information about their promos:
Smart Communications
Smart Communications
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www1.smart.com.ph/corporate

Smart Infinity Brings CHICAGO "The Musical" in Manila

Thursday, August 07, 2014


Oh it's CHICAGO!

When I heard the news that a world class show was in town, I had to get my hands on the keyboard and had to tell you this. If you loved the film adaptation last 2002 (which would probably make you feel a little old seeing that year) and adore the stories of Roxie Hart (played by Renee Zellweger) and Velma Kelly (played by the timeless Catherine Zeta Jones), then you are in for a treat an all star American cast will be performing here in the Philippines come December. Smart Infinity will bring the real deal theatrical show CHICAGO to Manila, but that's just the first good news!


This six time Tony Award winning musical will be made available first and exclusive to Smart Infinity subscribers. That's what you call exclusivity. That's what you call a huge perk! This means that before the public would be able to get tickets, Smart Infinity subscribers would be the first who would be able to get their hands on them. Aside from that, every new approved Smart Infinity plan application from now until September 8, 2014 will come with VIP tickets to the musical on top of the gadgets and services that come with it. 

Ms. Julie Carceller the Head of the Smart Infinity Business Group at Smart says “Just like the successful local runs of other world class spectacles such as "Cats",  "Mamma Mia", "The Phantom of the Opera" and the well loved "Wicked", bringing "Chicago" to the Philippines is again a very special gift for our Smart Infinity subscribers." 

Now if this was everything that they have, I'm definitely gonna want to have a subscription going. What perfect timing too that Chicago is going to be here right? Well, you better start checking out the Smart Infinity Plans here and see if it fits your budget. I've seen some of you spend a ton in prepaid accounts and don't even get the gadgets that you should have been getting if you were in a postpaid plan. See the difference and think Smart if you want to get more in plans that can get you to live more. Ticket selling will be open to the public on September 9. The show will run from December 2 up until the 21st on the brand new Solaire Theater! That's right after Celine Dion's concert if I'm not mistaken. All worthy to be watched! See you on December!

COW

For more information about their promos:
Smart Communications
Smart Communications
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www1.smart.com.ph/corporate