By Walter Ang
Oct. 25, 2011
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Busy with running Triumphant People's Evangelistic Theatre Society (Trumpets) and its sister company Stages Productions Specialists (currently co-staging "Peter Pan" with Repertory Philippines), Gemora is also seen on TV as one of the resident judges of TV5's "Talentadong Pinoy."
He won the 2009 Philstage Gawad Buhay! for Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical for his portrayal of the titular role of Repertory Philippines' staging of "Sweeney Todd." He's currently playing Captain Von Trapp in Resorts World Manila's staging of "The Sound of Music."
He won the 2010 Philstage Gawad Buhay! for Best Direction for Repertory Philippines' "Equus," and is slated to direct Rep's 2012 production of "Next Fall," a play about a gay couple where one is devoutly religious while the other is an avowed atheist.
Gemora released a self-titled pop album in the 90s. Earlier this year, Trumpets board member Stella Sison felt that because Gemora's known for his work as an actor in musical theater, he should come out with an album of theater-related songs.
She spearheaded a focus-group discussion on what particular theater songs people might want to hear Gemora sing to come up with a playlist.
"From out of that list I picked the ones I liked. Rony Fortich, who did a fabulous job as musical director, also threw in songs he thought would be good for the compilation," he says.
Jeff Arcilla coached Gemora throughout the recording sessions that lasted several months.
The idea was that the album would contain music similar to "the kind you hear in coffee shops, easy listening, non-intrusive." He says, "It was tough trying to hold back my full vocal power and take care not to over dramatize the interpretation of the songs. We wanted it very laid back and not taxing to listen to."
Playlist contains 14 tracks of show tunes from Broadway, the West End, and original Filipino musicals such as "Shall We Dance" (The King and I), "If Ever I Would Leave You" (Camelot), "This Is The Moment" (Jekyll and Hyde), "Awit Ni Isagani" (El Filibusterismo), among others.
Vocal group The CompanY joins Gemora in "Luck Be A Lady" (Guys and Dolls) while Repertory Philippines associate artistic director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo sings the duet "For Good" with Gemora (Wicked).
Playlist is exclusively available in Fully Booked outlets nationwide. Contact, 818-1111 loc. 225 or 209.
Also published online:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/19509/audie-gemora-releases-cd-of-theater-songs