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Floyd Mayweather, Jr.’s (39-0 | 25 Knockouts) very much anticipated comeback to the ring up against Juan Manuel Marquez (55-4-1 | 37 Knockouts), hits MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 19th live via HBO’s Pay-per-view.

In this video, reporter Mark Kriegel discusses Juan Manuel Marquez with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Find out why the ‘Pretty Boy’ isn’t ready to think about Manny Pacquiao.

I am very surprised to see Mayweather in this interview very subdued. He’s always been portrayed as (over)confident to being cocky. I didn’t see it on this interview and even the reporter commented that Floyd seem to be building up his opponent, Marquez. It’s nice to see a fighter not ‘talk trash’ his opponent. This psychological warfare tactic is so cliche and very movie-like anyway. What a good interview! Floyd has such respect for Marquez. Floyd is hinting very much of a possible Pacquiao-Mayweather fight if the “price” is right and HBO picks it up.

Below is an earlier video announcing the fight in May atop the Empire State Building in New York. Floyd ‘handpicked’ Juan Manuel as his opponent for his comeback fight. They were going to fight last July but it was postponed due to a rib injury Mayweather received during training. Manny Pacquiao’s name comes up again.

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I’m not a huge Boxing follower but when Manny Pacquiao is on, I am sure to watch every fight. I am from General Santos City, Philippines and so is Pacquiao so I can’t help but be a fan. Mind you, only when he is in the ring fighting. What he does outside I am not so sure about– his mad ideas going into acting, heck singing and say that again? Politics?!! C’mmon! Manny Pacquiao needs better advisers not people who take advantage of his popularity and money.

Of late I have become curious of Juan Manuel Marquez ever since that rematch fight he lost with Manny Pacquiao in March 2008. I still hope somehow someday in whatever weight class, Manny and Juan Manuel will encore that rematch! That fight was so very close, it wasn’t truly and fully Manny’s to claim.

I had a chance to meet Juan Manuel Marquez up close in his surprised visit to the Philippines in April 6th during the star-studded ABS-CBN produced Boxing fight: “INVASION, Philippines vs. the World at the Araneta Coliseum. (A month after his fight with Manny, there are still visible marks on his face from that bout.)

Thanks to our dear friends, sisters Sunshine Pestaño and Goody Peñalosa- wife of another great Philippine boxer, Gerry Peñalosa, we were part of the “Team Penalosa” that day! One of the best experiences of my life! Thanks very much to them! I still have to make a full article of that happening and it’s been over a year old. Procrastination at work…

with Entrepreneur Goody Llido-Penalosa

Juan Manuel Marquez is such a reserved, shy guy. Uber friendly and accommodating- always there for the camera and to whoever wants a photo with him! No air of arrogance at all. To those who hates his guts for wanting to fight Manny again, I really think Manny owes it to the Boxing fans and to himself. Going back to the whole fight, nobody expected Manny to win that- At best, people expected a draw or a Juan Manuel win but Manny edged it by a hair. You could see on the tape, Manny was even partially surprised he was announced the winner! We can’t blame Juan Manuel if he wants to finish off the business with Manny.

Moving forward to the present, Juan Manuel is facing a tough opponent in Floyd Mayweather, Jr. come September 19. I am rooting for Juan Manuel of course! Fingers crossed. Good luck, Juan Manuel! Hope our paths cross again.

with my BFF and Tatay Pepe’s Restobar Co-owner, Jaz Descalzo

Ok, not the reaction I expected but it gets worse for us. The barge-ferry took maybe 15 minutes to arrive and the whole time, Ms Ryan was on her truck. As the ferry was docking, she went out of the truck looking very relaxed and lovely (contrary to what people say and how tabloids picture her to be BUT she should never have messed up with that face!), did some stretching to kill time. This whole time we were star-struck and just kept observing her from a near distance and then we decided we would approach her and ask for a photo.

How naive of us to think that she of her “America’s sweetheart” stature would come down to speak to mere mortals like us!! She totally brushed us off and almost run back to her truck fearing for her life as though we were going to attack her or something- and all we said very quietly so as not to draw other people’s attention was: “hi, we recognized you and we’re sorry to bother you but is it all right for us to take a photo?” And she started going back to her truck and kept repeating “No.” She said: “Hi, bye but no. no picture.”

Lighten up, relax. We weren’t the paparazzi! We weren’t going to take photos of you to sell to magazines! (Heck the paparazzi’s are ruthless and heartless. They never ask permission to take photos. They just do and the uglier and uncompromising position you are in the better. What more, they make money out of the ‘stolen shots.’) You have to realize we were in an island off the south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts and probably the most secluded part in Martha’s Vineyard. People pay big bucks to vacation in the area and we were there! We weren’t stalkers. We were vacationers who happen to chance upon you. It was a huge deal for us, one of the highlights of our trip.

Less than a minute was all it took for that encounter which you Ms. Ryan would have forgotten by now and never really cared for to begin with but for us, it is a lifetime memory of you being oh so unfriendly. I wish I never met you in the flesh. I wish in my mind you remain this adorable, funny, charming, witty characters you play in your movies. Instead I now have this image of this unpleasant encounter with you and this is the story I am going to share with people…

Chappaquiddick Home, a 12-room cliff-top estate in Martha’s Vineyard, MA

We understand, you moved in your $7 million estate in the island to get away from the limelight of Hollywood. You’re tired of being looked at and followed around, but you will always be a celebrity and people will continue to recognize you. The least you could have done for us, your fans who pay to watch all your movies is be nice and pleasant to them. We put you to where you are but of course you don’t care about that BS. Most of all, you won’t care about one ranting from a disgruntled fan.

We left Meg Ryan alone and she was looking out in the small crowd of arriving passengers and we were getting on the barge-ferry ourselves. Turns out she was picking up her adopted Chinese daughter, Daisy True with 2 unnamed companions.

There you go, Ms Ryan. We never took a photo of your face. We left you alone. You gotta give us some credit for that! But maybe, maybe I’ll stop ‘idolizing’ you from hereon. You don’t have a minute for me, I don’t have two-hours to sit waste to watch your movies…

My sister whispered and pointed out to me, “hey, he’s a movie actor in the Philippines!” Of course, how could I not know?! Except that I was in New York and seeing a famous Filipino actor walking by doesn’t happen very often.

I smiled at him and I exclaimed his name excitedly, “SAM!” He smiled back. I asked for a photo but my sister was already being shown our table. She was gone. I was left (alone!) with Sam Milby in one spot of Bubba Gump. Awkward silence. Sam waited for my sis!

I asked him if he was alone. (What was I going to ask? I didn’t know a thing about him or any latest news. I had no idea what he was doing in New York!) “Kasama ko sina Piolo, John Lloyd and Bea” were his exact words (in perfect slang tagalog)!

My sister finally came back at the same time Sam’s companion followed him wondering what’s taking him so long. Sam was looking for the bathroom. LOL. I pointed it out to him at the farthest end of the restaurant. He said ok. His companion took this great photo, bid our goodbyes and off Sam to the bathroom!

We scoured the entire floor looking for Piolo Pascual, John Llyod Cruz and Bea Alonzo! LOL. We missed to check downstairs and later realized that they must have been done eating and was on their way out when Sam had to go and the bathroom was upstairs. Sam’s star-studded entourage would have just been downstairs all that time!! GRRRR!!

We found out later that Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual were here for a concert series in various cities in North America entitled “Heartthrobs” with Pokwang, John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. They had a show in New Jersey on April 17th which explains why they were in New York when we saw them on the 15th.

Very friendly guy!

(Although I still wonder, had we seen him in the Philippines would he have reacted the same way? It would have been impossible to come that close with him OR he would be swarmed by screaming fans we’ll never get that photo with him at all and he wouldn’t have waited for my sis!)

Thanks for the photo op Sam! We will ‘treasure’ that short encounter, never mind if you won’t remember us the next time we see you again!

As the Finale for the breakout hit Survivor Philippines draws to a close, the true battle begins for the last five remaining castaways.

Perhaps everyone are heaving a sigh of relief that Marlon Carmen aka “the waiter,” the most disliked cutthroat and aggressive person (?) in the competition is already eliminated; and agreeably has now come down to the ‘brainy’ Charisse, the ‘driver’ Cris, the ‘hunky’ athlete, JC, the self-proclaimed ‘loverboy,’ Rob, and the endearing laundry woman, ‘nanay’  Zita, vying for that 3 million peso prize and the title FIRST “Sole Survivor.”

If this show does not excite Filipino TV viewers, I don’t know what does?!

Here’s Part two of the exclusive interview with Survivor Philippines’ only resident doctor. The ever cheery, at times self-effacing, definitely sharp and multi-talented, Dr. Zoe. Read on:

Preparations

Mae: In the islands, what kind of medical tools do you have? How did you prepare yourselves for possible animal (crocodile, snake, mosquito) attacks and or diseases you, the crew or the half-naked contestants might have encountered?

Dr. Zoe: Fortunately, our Thai production team has also provided us with the necessary equipment to put up our own clinic in the base camp. We have basic surgical tools, a set of splints, oxygen tanks, emergency meds, & other emergency and rescue equipment, etc.

As for the animal attacks, we have rangers and snake handlers surrounding us at all times since it is a national park. Basically, it’s still better to administer first aid to the victim along with the ranger, then conduct them immediately to Langu Hospital where they can do proper tests; to assess whether it would be beneficial to give the anti-venom or not; and to admit and monitor. Luckily, we didn’t have a single incident of such.

The mosquito bites – the Thai and Filipino production teams have a lot of synthetic mosquito repellents in creams and sprays. Prevention is always better than a cure, right? The half-naked contestants would just have to survive the insect bites. However, I do get to examine them periodically, and if they need to be treated, then they will be treated accordingly. The rule that I follow is: Keep them healthy, but not necesarily comfortable. I got this from Dr Adrian Cohen, former medical director for Survivor CBS. This means that if they need sutures or antibiotics, then they will get that. But if they complain of pain or sunburn, they would have to survive that.

Survivor Philippines Vital Statistics

Surviving the Islands

M: What “bugs” the contestants the most? What were the most common medical maladies among the crew and the Survivor contestants? Bites and skin diseases?

Dr. Z: The number 1 cause for all of us – production staff or castaways – was mosquito bites and sand mites!! Second was musculo-skeletal complaints, most of them, I guess, due to riding those dump trucks! Just a handful of allergic reaction cases. But surprisingly, I did not have any cough nor diarrhea cases which was what I anticipated the most before arriving on the island.

M: What luxury in the real world did you miss most? Did you have your cellphones, computers with you in the islands?

Dr. Z: We had cellphones, computers and internet on the island. We even had videoke almost every night! We didn’t have cable TV, but, surprisingly, we didn’t miss it. I honestly don’t know what I miss most about the real world, but I can tell you this much: I only realized I miss civilization when I had the chance to go to a mall sometime during our our stay in Thailand. We remembered we were deprived of movies, so we wanted to watch The Dark Knight orThe Mummy because it was shown I think just right after we left Manila.

Unfortunately, the movies in Hat Yai City were all dubbed in Thai! It was so frustrating not being able to watch at a time when we wanted to so badly! But what was delightful was that despite having the chance to taste some fine dining, surprisingly, we still all went straight to Mc Donald’s! Hahaha!

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Survivor Philippines, the country’s counterpart of the global hit reality television series Survivor is currently making raves in ratings and buzz all across the Philippines! In a recent rating from AGB Nielsen Philippines, it dominated primetime TV with 36.8% viewership- its highest rating since debuting on September 15.

This is a long time coming for Philippine television where over 30 countries have already had successful runs of the franchise since 1997, the most popular being the Survivor US version now on its 17th season.

Thanks to the careful management and considerations of GMA Network, one of the Philippines’ premier TV stations who acquired the franchise, they are now enjoying the fruits of their labor this early on.

With enough media hype and hum, its own interactive website, word of mouth advertising from satisfied TV viewers (talking about it at work, home, parties and elsewhere), positive reviews from bloggers on the internet, and continuous promotion in its network- ABS-CBN, its long-time rival must not be feeling all too cozy these days lagging behind in ratings and viewership.

Can’t Get Enough

Well we’ve seen the show, been following it devotedly, picked up our favorites to win the title the first “Sole Survivor,” joined in the forums, watched the highlights and read the recaps on its official website, did all a Survivor fan would do and yet we still want to know more and find out more about the show and its production.

When one thinks of a production like Survivor where you only see the (18) castaways and its host, Paolo Bediones episode after episode- it is hard to imagine what goes behind the scenes and how many others are actually involved in running it!

Dr. ‘Survivor’

Considering that this show is literally about surviving amidst starvation, mind games and various intense physical challenges, and that is what the contestants have signed up for– still a medical and rescue team is most obligatory and essential in overseeing the castaway’s conditions without compromising the rules of the game.

Call me lucky to know a member of the production team! This is an exclusive two-part Q&A interview on one of the unsung “heroes” of the show. She is a kick-ass, highly witty, Mensa member, fascinating, fun-loving, adventure-seeker lass of Survivor Philippines!

Meet the resident doctor known on the show as Doctor Zoe. Read On:

Mae: First off, Dr. Zoe- congratulations on the victorious status Survivor Philippines is currently enjoying. Did any of you expect this much attention and appreciation for the show when you were filming it?

Dr. Zoe: Thank you so much, Mae! Survivor Philippines‘ present status is still overwhelming! We had nothing but hopes for its success while we were filming it. In my opinion, I felt Survivor would generate as much interest as its American counterpart (based on the reactions I have read on the net even during our pre-production phase), but I was hoping that those unfamiliar with this game would embrace the complexities of its mechanics. I wish that Filipinos will see themselves in the castaways and learn a thing or two about surviving the politics of a group, acknowledge its reality, and apply it to their everyday lives.

M: How did you get involved with the show? How were you selected to be part of the medical team? Surely, you didn’t just take a “Wanted sign” and brought it in GMA network’s office did you?

Dr. Z: My name came up because it was recommended by a friend. No, I did not apply because I wasn’t aware of any announcements that they were looking for a doctor. That friend who recommended me, who became the psychologist for the show, brought me to GMA. He told the executive producer, Donna Medina, of my credentials. I was able to talk to Miss Donna later that afternoon. Not long after, I was invited to be a part of the Survivor team.

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I chose Selita Ebanks for this week’s theme “beautiful” because if she is even half the things she says she is and what the media says about her (except the negative publicity of course!), then she really is beautiful inside and out! When something or someone transcends the perceived beauty, it/she is no longer hollow or empty but is elevated beyond the physical qualities- then it/she becomes truly beautiful…

Selita Ebanks is very active in volunteering and community service and has not forgotten her roots in Cayman Islands helping out in times of need (calamity and such). More than the financial help, she is actually there on the scene giving and being part of the whole experience. She also has an existing Foundation- “The Stardom Youth Foundation,” a mentoring program to motivate young people of Cayman Islands reach their goals and potentials. How many “beautiful” people can do that- have the time and energy to share with others, more than donating cash?!

“In this industry we are small; we’re petite. That may be true, but we’re not standing there like stick figures. That’s not going to sell lingerie. That doesn’t make women feel beautiful… Every woman is different and I think every woman should appreciate what they have and know how to enhance it. You know what, just love what you’ve got and go out there and be yourself. Be sexy, because you are, because it comes from within, not because someone says, “You’re too big or you’re too skinny or you’re not this or not that.” That’s crap. But on the runway, it’s all about fun and having a good time and being confident in who you are. I depend a lot on my personality to shine through. I think that if I didn’t have that I would just be another girl.”

- Selita Ebanks, Victoria’s Secret Angel Model

Victoria’s Secret exclusive PJ Party in Natick Mall, MA | 26 November 2007

Find more photo hunters at PhotoHunt

What a way to kick off my Philippine vacation! While waiting for my luggage at the baggage area (which took forever!) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, my tired but quick eyes saw Charice Pempengco across the baggage carousel! She and her mom were getting their stuff and nobody even noticed them! Well, it was one in the morning and everyone just wanted to get out of the busy airport fast. We were on the same Hong kong to Manila flight!

I rushed to their side and shyly asked if she was Charice! She politely answered in Tagalog “opo” (yes). I felt so old for a while there. I congratulated her on her first US TV guesting on the Ellen DeGeneres Show last December 2007 and asked about her first trip to the United States. She said she was so happy for the opportunity and she enjoyed her stay very much. I asked if she visited New York and watched a Broadway show (my fave thing to do in New York!). She exclaimed yes, the show “Wicked”! I gamely sang a few lines of the song “Popular” from the musical hit which I saw twice already! She nodded and grinned. I thanked her for chatting with me and wished her luck on her singing career. Such a sweet kid!

To those unfamiliar with Charice Pempengco, her popularity in the Philippines grew when she became one of the finalists in a singing contest sponsored by a major TV station. She became a household name in the internet, thanks to YouTube user FalseVoice who was the first to upload a video clip of Charice singing Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”.

The video became an instant hit despite being called a fake by most viewers who couldn’t believe that such powerful voice could come from a 15 year old Filipina. The video and increasing worldwide prominence paved way to appearances in Sweden, South Korea and ultimately the United States.

The small talk wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t ask for a photo with her, so I did eye bags and all! It was really nice meeting you Charice! You are so polite, friendly, accommodating and very down to earth. Don’t lose that when you climb up to stardom! Now, I am a fan! Good Luck!

Is she the secret weapon of this musical comeback?

I am obviously biased here because we share the same Filipino heritage. However, when Les Misérables (The Miserable Ones) re-opened in November 2006, it initially advertised itself as a limited six-month engagement. Now ten months later, it has an open-run date and has scheduled shows all the way to January 2008. She wasn’t among the original revival cast, she came in 3 months prior to its supposed closing in May 2007. In that short time the role Lea currently plays had to be replaced not once but twice before everyone was comfortable with the character fit.

Although majority of the original cast are no longer in the show for various reasons, Lea maintains her role (7 months and counting) with the only two remaining original revival cast Adam Jacobs and Ali Ewoldt, who happen to be Filipino-Americans! It is a pleasant surprise that it is still playing in New York. I saw the musical in May this year and I was among those who weren’t totally impressed with this version. The critical reviews were rough. Learning that, I wasn’t inclined to watch until they especially singled out Lea Salonga to ‘save’ Fantine’s role. It would have been really les misérable for me to sit through an almost three hour musical if I didn’t at least see Lea Salonga.

Les Miz as it’s devotedly called has pretty good statistics to brag about- 16 years in New York Broadway, 22 years in London West End, ranks third as the longest-running show in Broadway history, and has been witnessed by over 54 million people in 38 countries and 21 languages since its first London performance in October 1985. The original Broadway production opened in 1987, garnering 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical for that year. The Broadway production ended in 2003 after 6,680 performances. So, what’s missing with the current production? Why isn’t it getting fantastic reviews? For starters, it has only been three years since its last curtain call and now she is back. You haven’t missed her long enough yet! Majority of the critics say it is premature to revive her this early. And I agree because thousands of people share a great love for this show the first time they saw it.

I fell in love with the original cast soundtrack not having even seen the original broadway production. That’s how powerful the original production was years ago. This is the problem with revivals. It will always be compared to the original. And if you can’t surpass your predecessor then you’re in trouble. Next is, they are having trouble casting the right people. Mind you, top caliber theater actors have played the part and are playing the part but for various reasons, the cast keep changing. Thirdly, the current theater is smaller (by almost 300 seats) so the stage look cramped hence there are also smaller miserables ensemble visually obvious on the student revolution of 1832 scene which is the highlight in Act II. Not to be missed though is the revolving stage which was innovative and good to see! There is such fine detail in their props, and great lighting set the tone and mood on stage.

High expectations of the show is the typical downer from those who has seen the original version. I didn’t have any but I wasn’t blown away even with Lea Salonga’s presence. The first time I heard I Dreamed a Dream on CD, Fantine’s signature song- I had goosebumps and was teary-eyed because I felt all her pain and agony just from listening. Fantine’s life is the most unfortunate of all in this musical of vast and multi-faceted characters. I was looking for that same intensity from Lea and I didn’t feel it. “I Dreamed a Dream” if the performer nails it, is the most powerful ballad in the musical and is known to be a show-stopper- that’s when the audience are so moved and so affected that they just give the song a standing ovation as if on cue and thundering applause follows. That didn’t happen that night.

I was not convinced of her playing a sickly factory worker turned into a prostitute in despair. I wasn’t emotionally involved with her character that I couldn’t make myself cry even on her death bed scene. She dies in Act I and is seen again as a ghost with Eponine guiding Jean Valjean to eternity in the finale of Act II. The thing is, it has gotten emotional in Act II halfway through the end and I was crying myself out, grieving over Eponine’s untimely death, lamenting over the meaningful death of Gavroche and Valjean’s touching death- when all the major characters were reunited with him in the finale. Yes, almost all of them die in this poignant show.The two lead roles of Jean Valjean and Javert played by Alexander Gemignani (now replaced by Drew Sarich) and Ben Davis (took over the role from Norm Lewis and now replaced by Ben Crawford) respectively, weren’t a standout. Their singing were solid and almost perfect but again the emotions are lacking. They’re supposed to be two angry mortal enemies playing cat and mouse thru the whole musical and find forgiveness and remorse in the end but you don’t feel it.

Ali Ewoldt as frail and beautiful Cosette (the girl on the Les Miz emblem) and Adam Jacobs as handsome Marius were cute and almost believable in their portrayals. Somehow, I find Ali’s voice too sharp and high-pitched for a soprano range. Ann Harada as deceitful Mme. Thenardier was delightful to watch having seen her in Avenue Q as the original Christmas Eve. She’s so fun to watch onstage whatever role she’s playing!Mandy Bruno (took over the role from Celia Keenan-Bolger and now replaced by Megan McGinnis) as sweet, heartbroken Eponine and Zach Rand (playing alternately with 2 other child actors) as vagabond, street smart, Gavroche stole the show for me! These two characters though have short exposure on the show are pivotal to the entire story that I think any actor given the role are lucky in that sense because the characters are so notable and captivating in itself that it doesn’t matter who plays it. You are just simply absorbed and moved.

That’s what I felt the first time I heard Lea Salonga sang “On my Own,” Eponine’s signature song, over a decade ago. While I was watching the Les Miz revival, I wished Lea was Eponine again! She owns that song! No one can sing it better than her! “On My Own” has been sang and recorded by so many but nothing comes close to Lea’s rendition. If I may refresh your memory, Lea Salonga became the first Asian actress ever to play Eponine on Broadway in 1993, perform the same role in the London production, and in Hawaii, and was the one invited to play at the historic Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Sir Cameron Mackintosh hand-selected the cast for that concert, and has come to be called the Les Misérables Dream Cast, assembling cast members from around the world.

Lea Salonga, regardless of her performance when I saw her on stage that night, is one strong, remarkable woman whom we saw grow as a child singer and actress back in the Philippines and into this fine, brilliant Sir Olivier, Drama desk and Tony Award Broadway winner! She is drawing the crowd to watch her in Les Miz. There is no question that the musical is a masterpiece otherwise it wouldn’t have this long staying power all over the word. It is without doubt close to our hearts and withstands time being originally written as a French Novel by Victor Hugo in 1862. 145 years later, his characters are as real as the poor, wretched ones being oppressed around the world to this very day. I’m just saying, you still need a star like Lea Salonga to pull people in it. It is a story needed to be told. And Lea Salonga might as well be the driving force of this present revival. I don’t know what her contract is with the show or whether she’d give up the role when something better comes up but meantime, catch her while you still can!Incidentally Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, took a break from her tight schedule last week (September 27) in New York to watch the matinee of Les Miz at the Broadhurst Theater. She went up the stage after the finale for picture taking with the cast and greet Lea Salonga, Fil-Ams Ali Ewoldt and Adam Jacobs.

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Note: Yaikks! As I finished this article, I found out that Lea is in fact leaving Les Miz this month! It is unclear as to why. She may be preparing for her next role as Cinderella to be played in Manila, Philippines but that’s still in August 2008! Oh well, hurry now to New York to see her!!©

Les Misérables
Broadhurst Theatre
235 W. 44th Street,
New York City, New York
Date opened: November 2006

Official Les Misérables Website
Official Les Misérables-Broadway website

First stop for me was “Three Days of Rain,” which was only playing until Sunday, June 18. As expected tickets we’re sold out (except for premier seats!!). But I kept pressing for cheaper seats, until the ticket guy said- “here’s the deal, we’re selling ‘Standing Only’ tickets two hours before the show on a first come first serve basis. If you want it, you have to be in line way before two hours.” Those words sounded music to my ears and I was excited. “How much?” I asked. I was calculating, if orchestra tickets were at $112.00. Standing tickets must cost half of that! Shoot, $60 bucks! But what the hey, I’d take my chance. I wanted to see Julia Roberts in the flesh! And then the guy answered, “$26.25!”

Holy Molly!! For a fraction of the seated seat, I get to watch the show! You bet I’ll wait in line!! I don’t care if it was standing or lying down on the floor! I called my friend. It was 10am. I waited in line until they open the sale at noon time for the matinée. And so after 2 hours of waiting I got our tickets to watch Julia Roberts! That’s only the icing on the cake as I later find out. We had lunch and then it was time to see the play.

To my surprise, most theaters do ‘Standing Only’ tickets and we’ve never heard of it. All the time we’ve been going to New York to watch a show! They don’t advertise it of course and tickets we’re very limited to only about 20 people or less! Our tickets were numbered so each ticket had a specific area where you stand, it’s not the “you’re on your own because you’re standing type of ticket.” It was well organized.

The usher was very friendly with us when we were in our place at the back. More than friendly that I was going to tape her mouth to keep her from talking! She kept telling me what “Three Days of Rain” was all about! In my mind, I was like “look lady, I’ve read all the reviews and I know the boring story by heart by now. I’m only here to see Julia Roberts!” I just sweetly smiled and asked, “does Julia sign autographs after the show?”

Oh boy, was I glad I kept my temper with her- otherwise, I would have never known! She said “yes, Julia is very kind and accommodating, just today she came out to talk with us and have our pictures taken with her and blah, blah…” (“Lady. Tell me what to do!!”) Finally after a long talk, she tells me what I wanted to hear.I stood there for the whole first act. A 15-minute Intermission came. That same usher came to us and directed us to 2 empty seats at the near center!! She says, “these seats are available, you can seat here for the remaining act.” That lady was surely an angel! It pays to be nice sometimes! We endured the next hour pinching ourselves from sleeping (there were parts in the play that even the three characters looked like they were falling asleep themselves!) As soon as the curtain fell, I was dashing out of the theater to head for the backstage door for autographs!!

Outside, there was a barricade near the street and a few people, I showed my ticket and I was in! Security was very tight. It was a rather long wait but nobody seemed to mind! This was the cake! I would have never known where to go for autographs had we been sitting. I would have never talked to the usher at all and by the time we got out of the filled theater, Julia would have left or the guards wouldn’t have let me in!

Meanwhile, Julia’s bodyguards were making sure everyone were behaved. Only the ones inside the barricade were allowed to hang around the area. They were practically shoving and driving bystanders away. The guy made some funny ground rules like, “Julia has her own pen, do not give her a pen. Don’t ask Julia to smile for you- she’s tired, Don’t ask her any questions- she won’t answer. Don’t ask her to pose for you, she doesn’t have time. Take as much pictures as you want but don’t push, if this barricade even moves, Julia is out of here!”

So when Julia came out, the whole crowd just went silent. I’m not sure if it was because of what the bodyguard said. I think it was more of a shock, mouth agape in a state of amazement that THE Julia Roberts is in fact in our midst! I was star-struck!! To quote Hugh Grant in Notting Hill, “it was surreal but nice!” She looked almost ‘mortal’ in gray shirt and striped gray pants and flipflops! She signed about 5 playbill (the play’s souvenir program) on my side and she was gone! Just like that, she stayed about a minute on each side to sign autographs! And not even her own signature!!

Apparently, she never signs her own name in autographs, she just scribbles- so we all got different scribbles of Julia but we were happy!! Damn, this stupid phone cameras!! I was fumbling with it and panicking that I won’t get good shots of her. See my friend had to get our digital cameras because we were asked to deposit them before the show. By the time he got it, Julia was gone!! We were only able to get Paul Rudd’s pics in good quality. Bradley Cooper didn’t even show up!!! Paul Rudd actually stopped and smiled for me in my phone camera! He was so nice, stayed and signed (in his own name!) and chatted with the group.

Satisfied with our first day, my friend and I took an early start Sunday morning to conquer the unconquerable, the most popular show in broadway in 2006- The Jersey Boys! We went to the theater 3 times on Saturday to see if there were available seats for the Sunday show or if somebody cancelled out. The line was always long and the same answer, “we’re sold out, try tomorrow!” So we did. Crazy as we were, we went to check the theater at 9am! Wow, three people were already in the seemingly abandoned street- sitting by the theater. It is going to be a looong day for us. We talked ourselves in for a quick breakfast near the theater. At 9:30 I asked my friend to go and fall in line while I finished breakfast. I didn’t want to take any chances, slow eater as I am, that by the time I finish- ten people are already in line! We were 7th and 8th in the line!

As the time progressed, more and more people were showing up! Around 11am, the ticket guy separated the “Student Rush” and “Standing Only” group. The ticket center was about to open. They accommodated 12 students, no more and seven, SEVEN “standing only” tickets!! We were 2 and 3. We bought our tickets at 1pm!!

It was fun, insane and ludicrous waiting for four hours!! But we got in! We had a fabulous time standing! And did the same thing head for the door as soon as it was over and got myself an autograph and a picture of the BIGGEST MAN IN BROADWAY in 2006! If you’re a theatre buff like I’m becoming to be, be smart- go for the standing only or student rush tickets. You can stretch your one orchestra ticket easy to watching 3 broadway shows in the end! I can’t wait for my next Broadway experience and you bet, I’ll be waiting in line!©