Rockin' the night away

Rock Your Age!!! That’s the call of this relatively new or “old” band rockin’ the nights away in plush music bars and watering holes around town. This barkada called the Midlife Crisis is truly experiencing a “midlife rush” in a different way.

Formed in 2008 by talent manager and TV personality Ronnie Henares and Duty Free’s Enchong Formoso, the band initially intended to perform only for friends and relatives. Upon the prodding of good friend David Lim, however, the band performed at the NBC Tent during the 50th anniversary of Solid Corporation. Shortly thereafter, they were tapped by the management of Strumms in Makati to partner with the popular 8 Track band to perform on Monday nights. And as we say, the rest is history.

Midlife Crisis front acted for the world renowned band Chicago a few weeks ago at the Araneta Coliseum. Having the chance to perform with their musical idols was a wish come true for the band members. It also marked their first time to perform in a huge venue, where they sang their single titled, Midlife Rush composed by Vehnee Saturno and Enchong.

Although each band member displays an intense passion for music, along with Ronnie and Enchong, the lead singers of the band are actually medical professionals: Adel Samson, who plays percussion and is a former member of the Ateneo Glee club, is an eye surgeon; Nick Guzman, who is the band’s bassist, and was the lead singer of the LA-based ‘80s band Adobo, is an orthodontist and a dentistry college professor. Also with the band is Noisy Neighbors recording studio owner Roy del Valle who plays the keyboard and is the vocal director of the band. Kettle Mata, a seasoned guitarist who has played with various popular bands is the musical director and makes the band unique in itself by way of his new arrangements of popular songs and his ability to make his guitar sing. Koko Marbella, who plays second lead guitar, is a former folk singer and former member of the Labuyo band, famous for its hit song, Tuloy Pa Rin Ako. Lastly, the band has its own “Little Drummer Boy” in Leo Baritte who gives the beat to the music, and who is also a call center supervisor. All members play a musical instrument and sing.

Aside from leading double lives and their common love for music, the band members all share in the desire to help others and thus created a charity fund where a percentage of their earnings are used to assist deserving students achieve their dream to excel in the field of music. During the band’s first anniversary, the band awarded scholarships to two students from the UP College of Music through its head Kitchie Molina. As you groove with the Midlife Crisis Band, you also help them help more students achieve their dreams!

Watch Midlife Crisis as it sings a versatile musical repertoire that includes songs of James Taylor, The Eagles, Hall and Oats, Bryan Adams, among others. Experience the midlife rush with Midlife Crisis on select Mondays at Strumms and every Wednesday at Chef and Brewer.

It’s never too late to Rock Your Age!!! For details, call Ronnie at 502-7132.

Frenchie Dy is Christmas Eve

In 2004, a young and hopeful Frenchie Dy joined the ABS-CBN talent search, Star in a Million.  By the end of the series, Frenchie was the grand champion of the contest and the rest, as they say, is history. 

 Now, Frenchie is a regular in The Singing Bee and is also frequently seen in top-rating shows of the network.  She has even successfully dabbled in TV acting with her well-received guest appearance in MMK. 

Between then and now, Frenchie embarked on what she considered to be “the biggest challenge of my life” — playing Christmas Eve in Atlantis Productions hit staging of Avenue Q. 

Director Bobby Garcia recalls, “I was working on my computer one time with the TV on in the background when I heard someone singing Day By Day so beautifully. I looked at the TV and  it was Frenchie.  We kept her in mind and when we were casting Avenue Q, we knew she would be worth seeing for Christmas Eve.”

“I was so excited and nervous when they asked me to audition for Avenue Q,” says Frenchie.  But now, with the show on its fifth run in Manila (after a successful run in Singapore’s Esplanade Theatre in 2008), Frenchie is more excited than nervous, and adds, “I’m excited especially because I have a new husband in the show!”

The new husband is Calvin Millado who will be taking on the role of Brian and will join the rest of the cast composed of Rachel Alejandro, Felix Rivera, Aiza Seguerra, Joel Trinidad, and Thea Tadiar-Everley.  These guys and their puppet friends will sing of everything in life from being jobless, homeless, politically incorrect, dating and finding your purpose in life...or maybe not. 

Due to insistent public demand, the Tony Award winning musical with music and lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez and with book by Jeff Whitty, will be back for another laugh-out-loud run at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. 

“I am very happy to be doing Avenue Q again.  It’s a very special show for me because it is the show that gave me the wonderful experience of being a theater actress for the first time.  And, it’s so great that so many other people find the show so special too,” says Frenchie. 

Avenue Q runs from March 12 to 27. The show is directed by Bobby and Chari Arespacochaga with set design by Mio Infante, lights design by Johnsy Reyes, and puppet  designs by Sam Fuentes based on the original Broadway puppet designs by Rick Lyons. Tickets are on sale now!  For details, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187.