London’s “West End, A Benefit Concert” Stages This Weekend

Filipina chanteuse Irene Alano is set to captivate the Cebu audience’s  heart this weekend as she serenades with London’s West End. Joining  her is homegrown talent Christian Rey “Chuck” Marbella who has  established himself in both the national and international musical  scenes playing roles of significant characters in his theater  experience in Asia, Europe and the United States.

Chuck, as fondly called by his friends, has portrayed Thuy and  Engineer for Miss Saigon in the United Kingdom, touring all over  London and Lisbon (Portugal). He was also Lun Tha and Lead Dog in The  King and I in Washington’s Francis J. Gaudette Theater and Everett  Performing Arts. He recently performed in Resort’s world, Manila as  Lun Tha in The Kind and I. He also performed in Beauty and the Beast,  Showboat, The Full Monty, and Jesus Christ Superstar. In Cebu, he  played Charles Borromeo in San Carlos, The Musical, Tall Tales:  Kuno!!! as Juan Pusong, Calamba Joe, The Musical as Dr. Jose Rizal.  and Emilio Jacinto in the 1896 The Musical. Chuck is also a  classically trained ballet dancer and a member of the Queen City  Chamber Ballet in Cebu City.

In a press conference held last July 27 at U Kitchen, Lahug, Executive Director Kenneth King, Executive Producer Emma Bernad and artist Irene Alano-Rhodes enlightened the members from the media the rationale of the benefit concert.

“Angels walk amongst us, these are the children with special needs,” exclaimed King. London’s “West End, A Benefit Concert” is dedicated to the DREAM Project of the Juanito I. King Foundation, an organization  providing subsidies for occupational, physical and speech therapies,  special education, and psychological services to individuals with  adaptive challenges, along with Buildabilities, Inc., a  multi-disciplinary therapy center in Cebu City

Catch, these world-class talents performing world-class repertoire in  Cebu this August 2 and 3 at SM Theatre 1 and Radisson Blu Hotel,  respectively. Schedules of the concert are: August 2, Matinee at  2p.m., and Gala at 8 p.m.; August 3, Dinner Gala at 6 p.m. For ticket  inquiries, contact (032) 415-8330 local 802 and look for Mercy or at  the following mobile numbers: Emma–0917 7222284, Nicolette–0917  3230100 and Alex–0917 3200155.

The concert will be accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra featuring an  all-Cebuano ensemble from the University of the Philippines Foundation  (USPF). .

For more info , visit Facebook page OSTARRA EVENT PRODUCTIONS

(L-R) London’s “West End, A Benefit Concert” Creative Director Alex Gomez Diola, Executive Director Kenneth Raymund King, Irene Alano and Executive Producer Emma Bernad (Photo by Daxine Abala, USC-CAFA Intern)

During the presscon (seated L-R) Executive Director Kenneth Raymund King, Irene Alano and Executive Producer Emma Bernad (Photo by Daxine Abala, USC-CAFA Intern)

Irene Alano singing “I Don’t Know How I Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar, during the presscon (Photo by Daxine Abala, USC-CAFA Intern)