Tony Award Winner Jhett Tolentino's New Venture Set To Bring Broadway To Manila And Iloilo This December

Shout it out to the whole Philippines: BROADWAY IS COMING TO MANILA! Renowned Broadway producer, Jhett Tolentino, has just set up Jhett Tolentino Productions Inc. to bring the authentic Broadway experience to the Filipino audience this December 11 and December 17. On its first night, "A Very Broadway Christmas in Manila" will be the first production to be staged in the BGC Arts Center in Taguig. Days later, on December 17, Central Philippine University's Rose Memorial Hall in Iloilo City will house the concert.

The concert will feature a mix of holiday tunes, Broadway anthems, and a surprise mix of Original Pilipino Music. Produced and directed by Jhett Tolentino himself and under the musical direction of Ceejay Javier, the repertoire will have fresh arrangements for audiences of all ages to enjoy.

Featured in the concert is Broadway's Andrew Keenan-Bolger who was recently Jesse Tuck in Tuck Everlasting, Crutchie in Newsies, in Mary Poppins, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol. Andrew has also appeared in The Rewrite starring Hugh Grant and in television, he has appeared in Nurse Jackie and Looking. His direction work include award-wining films Sign and The Ceiling Fan.

Special guest artist is Tanya Manalang, who recently appeared in Rak of Aegis and the London revival of Miss Saigon.

Jhett Dizon Tolentino is raised and educated in Iloilo City. He has won three Tony Awards for producing Broadway shows, making him only the second Philippine-born Tony Award winner. He is also the first Filipino Tony Awards voter among the 27 million theater-goers in the United States. Other than that, he is also a Grammy Awards voter.

During the press launch of the concert and of Jhett Tolentino Production Inc. (JTPInc), Jhett shared how his humble beginnings as a scholar in Iloilo led him ot wanting to go to California and eventually moving to New York in 2004 where he started watching Broadway shows and sharing his honest opinion through his blog back then. Eventually, more opportunities opened up for him as he started to get invites to press launches and opening nights. And being a producer also opened up to him as his blog helped him find like-minded souls. Thanks to the thousands of shows he has seen, he has become an expert in picking shows that sell.

"Nobody starts as an expert," Jhett said. And definitely, hearing his vision for the Filipino actor and audience shows how much of an expert he is. We have much talent in the country and the most willing talents may be part in the upcoming further elevation of the industry. As a company, JTPInc aims for the enhancement of the Filipino Artist through masterclasses, lectures, seminars, workshops by Broadway Artists. Emphasis is on the enhancement rather than being a competitor in the Philippine Theater industry. Jhett also aims to prioritize Filipino Artists in his future productions. In bringing Broadway to a wider audience, Jhett has already met with the government to know how theater may be supported, exploring the possibility of having subsidy for public school students.. While everything falls into greatness, the buzz of Philippine theater would even attract better tourism.

Also during the launch, we were able to have a short Skype session with Andrew Keenan-Bolger. Andrew has expressed much enthusiasm in being able to do the show. This December will be his first time in Asia and he said that he would love to eat his way through the country. With all his accomplishments in the arts he also says that what he likes doing most is telling stories. I look forward for him to tell stories the most through songs next month!

For tickets call Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Like JTPInc on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTPinc2016/ and follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtpinc/