The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents Franco and Ayen Laurel in the last concert of the Triple Threats series tomorrow night at 7:30 at the CCP Little Theater.
Entitled Kitang Dalawa, the concert marks their first time headlining a concert together.
Their repertoire covers a wide range of musical genres from Broadway to Original Pilipino musicals in which both have starred. They will also share with the audience their forays into Pop, Jazz, Gospel, and Kundiman.
Married for 18 years now, Franco and Ayen met in the musical Rama at Sita, which Ayen produced in 1999. She was inspired to produce the epic musical years after she played of Sita in Rama Hari.
Ayen was a student of Theatre Arts at the University of the Philippines when she made her professional theatrical debut in Bulwagang Gantimpala’s Bidasari staged at the CCP. It was in 1990 when she got to play the coveted role of Sita in Ballet Philippines’ Rama Hari, which solidified her status as one of the top leading ladies in Philippine theatre.
Since then she appeared as Flerida in Tanghalang Pilipino’s Florante at Laura, Sandy in Grease, Diana Morales in A Chorus Line, Timoune in Once on This Island, Meni in Banaag at Sikat and Gia Almonte / Atang dela Rama in Dulaang UP’s hit ATANG for which she won an Aliw award for Best Actress in 2009.
Franco found his true calling in theatre when he played the role of Bharata in the epic musical Rama at Sita. Since then he has appeared in some of the most memorable theatre productions to date such as Sweeney Todd, Joseph The Dreamer, A Christmas Carol, Grease, A Fire In The Soul, St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos, LIVES and You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown.
Franco garnered two Aliw Awards for Best Actor in a Musical for his work in Honk in 2004 and Isang Panaginip Na Fili in 2009.
Despite their busy schedule Franco and Ayen have managed to live a balanced life raising a family and having a successful career in film, television, the live concert scene and digital media.
Joining them in the concert are their children Mariella Laurel, Hasan Bolkiah and Angia Laurel with the special participation of Cecile Martinez, Joni Galeste and Jourdan Bartolome.
Kitang Dalawa is written and directed by Floy Quintos, musical direction by Von De Guzman, lighting design by Monino Duque, choreography by Cecile Martinez and PJ Rebullida, set design by Mitoy Sta. Ana, costume design by Rajo Laurel, JC Buendia, Jojie Lloren, M Barretto and Jaz Cerezo.
Triple Threats is a series of solo concerts featuring the stalwarts of Philippine Musical Theater. Each concert is an intimate evening of beautiful music, personally selected by the artists themselves, from their vast repertoire of favorite songs from Broadway, West End, original Filipino musicals and the movies.
Dubbed as a series of “concept concerts”, the narrative of the performance is dictated by the song choices. It is a rare opportunity for the audience to see a different facet of the acclaimed theater, television and film artist being featured.
The definition of a “triple threat” is someone in a particular field who exhibits the three skills that are necessary to excel – can act, can sing and can dance.
Co-presented by PLDT Home Fibr, tickets are available at P1,200 and P1,000. For details, call CCP at 832-3704 or TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph orwww.ticketworld.com.ph