Watching Cinderella's first matinee.

Got to watch Cinderella this afternoon with the Atlantis staff (an "unofficial" matinee before this evening's opening show?). By the time I arrived at the office for lunch, Lawyn immediately asked if Tad was doing anything that afternoon, because we suddenly had an extra ticket. Rang Tad, but as it turned out, he couldn't skip their 3pm acting class. Darn it. But because Riki was getting out of class early due to the fact that he's sick, we both agreed that he take Tad's place so he can kill time before he can drive home.

Hahaha, picked up some interesting news from Mae while I was hanging around in the office before we had to go to CCP. Anyway, Lawyn, Mae and I went ahead to the theater with Claire a little earlier because Claire had to be there an hour before the show started. Ate Sally and Ate Janine stayed behind as they were waiting for Ate Sally's cousin and nieces.

Because Riki still had to show up in class, I met up with him in the lobby before the house opened to hand him his ticket, then he could just catch up once he got out of the conference room.

Each of our seats were in different but consecutive rows, but I ended up sitting on the other end of my row, while Ate Sal and the rest were on the other end. Hahaha, to my surprise, Mrs Garcia and Deedee, along with two other ladies suddenly appear and sit right in front of me. I haven't seen both mother and daughter in ages, and it was actually great to see them again, specially with Mrs. Garcia looking pretty well.

On with the show. Once the curtain rose, I was awestruck by the set designs. But I couldn't help but suddenly laugh out loud when I saw the town square in the opening number. There was this huge fountain right in the middle, so it looked like the opening of Beauty and the Beast, hahahaha! Those stepsisters were a funny tandem. That creaking knee was hilarious! And those rat siblings were so adorable. The ensemble was such a treat to watch, from their colorful costumes and of course, their tremendous presence. I wonder how much of today's Filipino performers can match that. Loy and Sheila Martinez, who were part of the cast, did so. Of course, no surprise about Lea. Her voice was crisp and clear and made it as effortless as mere breathing.

The special effects were pretty seamless if you don't think much about it like I did (like I always do, HAHAHA). The Fairy Godmother's teleportation from outside the door and into the house amused me for a while, then I suddenly started figuring out how everything would be transformed. How will that huge pumpkin on the table turn into a glorious carriage? Ah, the secret of the scrim. Once I got distracted by the tranformation of the two rats, everything else was already happening. The carriage was suddenly in the middle of the stage, and out comes Lea in a sparkling gown (haha, of course, this stage secret of dressing was my favorite). Huge applause from the crowd. Hahaha, Lea's expression as the carriage began to move was so cute! It looked as if it really was Cinderella's first time to ride in a carriage.

Riki didn't get to go in until after intermission (20-minute intermission!) but I filled him in on what he had missed in the 1st act. On with the ball. Hahaha, the prince (I forgot his name, as I was only looking over people's shoulders into their souvenir programs, ahehe) was pretty tall for Lea, but okay, he has the aura of the prince down pat. Plus he's cute, ahehe. Even though I couldn't hear some words, I still am a sucker for that certain "Prince Charming singing voice." And there we go with the transformation again, from the gown to rags, hahaha! The magic of the pillars!

I really can't help but be amused with all the designs and special effects all throughout the show.

Hahaha, after the show, I almost immediately ran into Bobby and Chari at the doors. Congratulated and thanked them, and nodded to Bobby smiling like a kid who enjoyed a good cartoon movie. Congratulations to Lea and everyone involved in the production!

Didn't really stick around long after the show, as Tad was already waiting for me at the entrance for an early evening out. Darn, didn't manage to get a souvenir program. Maybe one of these days, I can just drop by CCP and buy one from Kiwi at the lobby.