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| Wency Cornejo plays the role of SIR in his musical theater debut for the Manila staging of the hit Broadway musical Side Show. |
Based on the touching real-life story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, Side Show is touted as the most compelling and heartwarming story about sibling love and the inseparable bond of sisterhood. Mocked as freaks for being born conjoined at the hips, the Hilton twins spent their lives overcoming their impediment and eventually succeeding to become the most popular stage and film stars of their time.
Nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Musical, Side Show features the book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger, who also composed the iconic hit musical Dreamgirls.
With Side Show as his first musical theater exposure, Wency admits that he has mixed feelings on doing the role of the villainy ringmaster Sir. “I don't know how to put it but I am horrified (first time to do a play), ecstatic (I passed the auditions), insecure (all the other performers are veterans compared to me), excited (who wouldn't be?), confident (I made the cut, didn't I?), and amazed (the cast is awesome) all at the same time. Does that make me a freak or something?” he shares.
With hits such as “Next in Line,” “Habang May Buhay,” and “Tag-Ulan,” Wency and his former rock band AfterImage dominated radio charts in the 1990s. He has also received numerous awards, including Best Traditional Recording, Best Musical Arrangement, and Best Ballad Recording for his composition “Hanggang".
Wency joins a stellar cast that includes Kayla Rivera as Violet Hilton, Gab Pangilinan as Daisy Hilton, Markki Stroem as Terry Connor, David Ezra as Buddy Foster, and Arman Ferrer as Jake.
Side Show is directed by Steven Conde, with choreography by Cecile Martinez, set design by Lawyn Cruz, lighting design by Jonjon Villareal, sound design by Jason Crystal, costume design by Odelon Simpao, hair and make up design by Johann dela Fuente, musical direction by Farley Asuncion and vocal direction by Manman Angsico.
Catch the Manila debut of Side Show on August 31 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. For tickets, contact Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.