9 WORKS Theatrical is re-staging one of the classic Yuletide musical shows, A Christmas Carol.
Running from November 29 to December 21 at the Proscenium Theater in Makati, A Christmas Carol, directed by Robbie Guevara, will have Arnel Carrion as Ebenezer Scrooge. Playing the Young Ebenezer is CJ Navato.
Also part of the cast is Lorenz Martinez who will play the role of Ghost of Christmas Present, while Carmelle Ros will play the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be.
This third iteration of 9 Works’ A Christmas Carol includes a mix of seasoned stage actors like Jasper John Jimenez as Mr. Fezziwig, John Joven Uy as Bob Cratchit, as well as Boo Gabunada who plays Jacob Marley, international performer Molly Langley as Sally, and Gawad Buhay awardee Nicole Omillo who will play the role of Emily.
To be the symbolic figure of hope in the musical, portraying the role of Tiny Tim are child performers Enzo Dognidon and Jethro Ting, who will be alternating for the role.
Joining them are other young actors, some even debuting their theater career — Sofia Aguilar, Atalie Castillo, Giani Sarita, Manolo Villalva, Bianca Estacio, Elian Santos, Kim Hewitt, Ani Cinco, Drake Manlapaz, and Liam Nery.
There are also actors making a comeback through the musical, like Meliza Reyes as Mrs. Fezziwig and 9 Works’ very own Anna Santamaria as Mrs. Cratchit.
During the press conference on November 7, Santamaria admitted that she feels a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Her last performance was 9 years ago, during the first staging of A Christmas Carol by 9 Works.
“I’m also excited to finally be part of the cast again. Learning, relearning everything like music, the choreo. I’m having such a great time,” Santamaria said.
Also in the cast are Neo Rivera, Richardson Yadao, Rica Laguarda, Gary Junsay, Joshy Ramirez, Derrick Gozos, Denzel Chang, Roxy Aldiosa, Natalie Duque, and Mattew Barbers.
The Philippine version of the von Trapp family
Completing the cast of A Christmas Carol are Franco Laurel and his daughters, Mariella, Sofia, and Lucia, making the musical a stage for the Philippines’ version of the von Trapp family.
The Laurel patriarch will portray the Ghost of Christmas Past, while the eldest daughter, Mariella will play Mrs. Mops. The two youngest daughters will take the roles of Grace Smythe and Fan, and this production is consequently their first professional theater performance.
According to Franco, it was a different experience working with his daughters. While he and Mariella have previously worked together (he was in the second run of A Christmas Carol, while Mariella was in the first two runs of the musical), this is his first time being in a production with his youngest daughters.
“I can’t take away my being a dad when I see them. They grew up watching us perform and now seeing them thrive in a field that they love – because we never forced them to get into theater, sila ‘yong may gusto – so, to see them really get into character, discover their talents during rehearsals, it’s like, ‘Wow!’ Nakaka-proud lang for a dad,” Franco shared.
He even said that sometimes he forgets to be an actor on the show and just becomes a stage dad. “I can’t help but be a dad. I really want to bring out the best in them. So, when they’re rehearsing, I’m like, ‘Sofia, come here,’ ‘Lucia, you’re next,’ and then, ‘Energy, energy!’”
Mariella, on the other hand, is returning to stage after a few years of hiatus due to health concerns.
She said that being back, even just at the rehearsals, is an emotional experience.
“I feel like a part of me was reignited. I’m very grateful to be able to go back and do this after a hiatus that I did not see coming,” Mariella shared. “The first time I was able to go to rehearsals — and it wasn’t music rehearsals because my voice naman wasn’t affected, it was more of my joints, my nerves, my muscles, it was really moving my body the way I used to — I cried. Like, it was an emotional moment.”
And she finds it exciting to be working with her sisters.
“They’re the future of Philippine theater. I feel like they inspire me to keep going. They’re very hardworking for kids who’ve done workshops before but this is their first professional theater musical.”
Meet the artistic and production team of A Christmas Carol
Joining the artistic team are veteran actor Raul Montesa as assistant director, Daniel Bartolome as musical director, Mio Infante as scenographer, PJ Rebullida as choreographer and Yek Barlongay as tap choreographer, Gabo Tolentino as lighting designer, Aji Manalo as sound engineer/designer, Joee Mejias as video and projection designer, Sheik Completado as technical director, Elliza Aurelio as hair and makeup designer, and Yukie Sarto as photographer.
Tickets for A Christmas Carol are available at TicketWorld.