Australian rock duo Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, popularly known as Air Supply, has been holding concerts in the country regularly since the 1980s. So much so that according to them, they have “a loving, caring relationship with the Philippines”. Thus, the country is the obvious choice for the world premiere of the upcoming original musical “All Out Of Love the Musical” based on the band’s classic love songs.
According to the musical’s producer, Naomi Toohey, about 22 of Air Supply’s songs will be featured, so expect to hear your favorite hits: “All Out Of Love,” “Here I Am,” “The One That You Love,” Two Less Lonely People In The World,” “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All,” “Even The Nights Are Better,” “Now And Forever,” and “Goodbye,” “Lost In Love,” among others.
The all-original musical show features an all-Filipino cast (from left to right): Jamie Wilson, Raymund Concepcion, Tanya Manalang and MiG Ayesa. [Photo by JanJan Capili]
During the press conference held at Resorts World Manila, which will also be the venue of the musical when it opens on October 18, 2018, some of the members of the all-Filipino cast gave a glimpse of what to expect from the play. Raymund Concepcion performed “Here I Am”; Tanya Manalang sang “The One that You Love”; and MiG Ayesa gave his rendition of “All Out Of Love”.
MiG Ayesa performed during the presscon the title track of the musical “All Out Of Love”, a personal favorite of his and of the Air Supply duo as well [Photo by JanJan Capili]
MiG Ayesa said the musical is “meant to be” for him. Besides being a huge fan of Air Supply from way back, he confided that singing the duo’s songs helped him overcome his childhood stutter. Graham even shared an anecdote during the press con that he and Mig have met in the US and have performed together onstage. He therefore agrees that it is “fate” that MiG gets to play the lead in their musical.
MiG Ayesa and Rachel Alejandro will play the romantic leads, rockstar Jamie Crimson and singer/songwriter Rayne in the musical. The story of the musical, set in New York, happens over the course of one evening as music mogul Tommy King (Raymund Concepcion) tries to convince struggling rock star Jamie Crimson to embark on a world tour to promote his new album and save his record company.
Jamie is dealing with personal issues having left behind his songwriting partner and love of his life Rayne (Rachel Alejandro), while Tommy is also dealing the loss of his wife and his distant relationship with his daughter Stacey (Tanya Manalang).
MiG Ayesa and Rachel Alejandro will play the romantic leads, rockstar Jamie Crimson and singer/songwriter Rayne in the musical.
The musical is based on an original script by award-winning Canadian playwright Jim Millan and directed by Darren Yap who has been working all over Asia directing musicals for Cameron Mackintosh. Also part of the creative team is musical arranger and orchestrator Stephen Amos, choreographer Yvette Lee, associate director Jacinta John, local musical director Joe Tolentino, and set designer Bob Brunton.
All Out Of Love The Musical is the first production of Musical Management Asia Pacific (MMAP) of Naomi Toohey and Dale Harrison. It was Naomi who pitched the idea of a musical to Russel and Graham.
It may have taken years – six years, to be exact – for the musical to finally push through. But All Out Of Love: The Musical will run in a strictly limited season, from October 18 to 28 only at Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. The next time you get to see the musical may be abroad, as the production team hopes to bring it to other parts of Asia and even in Australia, the home country of the rock duo.
Make sure to book your tickets early. Tickets are already on sale at TicketWorld.
