Fil-Am Broadway stars to perform with only Filipino overseas symphony orchestra

Joan Almedilla will perform Broadway show tunes with the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

LOS ANGELES – The only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines will perform the world’s most beloved songs from musicals, with several Fil-Am talents who havestarred in the Great White Way.

The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), some 55-member strong, will perform in “FASO Goes Broadway” on Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.

The orchestra taps Joan Almedilla, Bonifacio “Bones” Deoso, Jr., Cliffton Hall and other performers in an evening of musical theater’s greatest showstoppers, powerful ballads and rousing tunes.

Djhoanna Garcia, Ninette Tenza, Emily Ferrolino, Isabella Ramos and child prodigies led by Chelsea Chiu and Joshua-Kai Dawson are also featured in the show.

To be performed are full orchestra renditions of numbers from “Annie,” “Evita,” “Flower Drum Song,” “Funny Face,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Les Misérables,” “Miss Saigon,” “My Fair Lady,” “Oliver!,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Sound of Music,” “Wicked” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Also performing with FASO is Fil-Am actor Clifton Hall.

Leading the lineup of vocalists with her Broadway experience is Joan Almedilla, who starred in the lead role of Kim in “Miss Saigon” as well as Fantine in “Les Misérables” and Soul Girl in “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the Broadway national tours. The Cebu-born performer’s other credits include Lady Thiang in “The King and I” and Imelda Marcos in “Here Lies Love” with David Byrne at the Carnegie Hall.

Almedilla last appeared at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the California Philharmonic Orchestra. She performed songs from “Chicago” and “Evita.”

Bonifacio Deoso, Jr., who sang with the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, performed the role of Thuy in “Miss Saigon” on Broadway. He reprised the role in the show’s second national touring company and three other award-winning regional productions.

Deoso also portrayed Lun Tha on a national tour and a regional production of “The King and I.” His other credits include “Cabaret,” “Passion,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Man of La Mancha” (Fullerton Civic Light Opera).

Cliffton Hall played Marius in “Les Misérables” on Broadway and on the national tour. While still in school, Clifton was cast in the role of Chris on Broadway/national tour of “Miss Saigon.” He also starred in the Asian tour of “Miss Saigon,” playing opposite his wife, fellow Fil-Am Deedee Magno Hall.

Hall’s other credits include the first national tour and San Francisco production of “Wicked” (he played Fiyero), “Grease” (Danny), “Oklahoma!” (Will) and “Flower Drum Song” (Ta).

Also featured in the show are talented child vocalists Adam Enroth, Andreas Makiling, Casteen Legaspi, Christian Avendaño, Christina Blay, Darlene Capistrano, Ian Luna, Jordan Pagkalinawan, Maggi Avant, Marcus Panahon, Micah Luna, Michael Keith Pronda, Mika Panahon, Sabrina Evangelista, Samantha Isidro and Tia Enroth.

“FASO Goes Broadway,” sponsored by Philippine Airlines, MoneyGram International, Hollywood Piano and Island Pacific, is the latest production by the orchestra known for its prestigious and highly entertaining shows.

Robert “Bob” Shroder has been leading FASO as its musical director and conductor since the orchestra debuted at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills in May 2009.

Tickets to “FASO Goes Broadway,” priced at $25, $40, $45, $60 and $100, are available at: Alex Theatre box office, 216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91203 or by calling 818-243-ALEX (2539); The Americana At Brand, Grand Lobby Concierge Desk, 889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210; and Glendale Community College Auditorium Lobby Box Office, 1500 North Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208; or online at www.alextheatre.org. More details about the show at www.fasofoundation.org.

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