opera and oven mitts

I am so very grateful that a lot of international artists are bringing their shows to the Philippines. I am particularly happy that a lot of broadway productions have made their way to local stages. This enabled me to quickly scratch of an item in my bucketlist ("Have a night in Broadway") when I got the chance to watch Mamma Mia just a few months ago.

This week, I got to scratch it off again. About a few weeks ago, a college friend asked us if we wanted tickets for The Phantom of the Opera (Manila), because she could get some through her company for half the price. My theater buddies were up for it, and being the kaladkarin that I am, I decided to join in on the fun. Truth be told, I had little idea what the show was about. I knew that it was about a very talented composer who had a physical deformity who fell in love with the theater's singer. I wasn't even familiar with the songs.

We had tickets for the September 20 show and little by little, the excitement grew within me more, since I didn't know what to expect. Finally, the night of the show came and I met up with my friends and proceeded to CCP. The events that happened once we stepped into the theater is a blur in my mind. I was blown away. Perhaps because it was the first time I encountered the story,I was so moved. Or maybe it was because of how the Phantom sang his songs. I cry. I have no other words. It was  magnificent, emotional, engaging, simply beautiful. I particularly loved "Point of no Return" and "The Music of the Night". Not only are the lyrics beautiful, but the Phantom sang it with such emotion.


Pardon the very poor quality, this was all my phone could do.

Before the show started, one of my friends told me that there is a Phantom of the Opera movie, and it starred Gerard Butler. I was intrigued for a moment, but after watching the stage play, I don't think I can appreciate it the same way. I believe the songs are truly made for, well, the theater, and the execution wouldn't be as compelling if sprinkled with the effects of Hollywood.

The following day, I researched a little and found out that the Manila cast is mostly made up of the South African performers. Our Christine Daae was the alternate to Ms. Claire Lyons, Ms. Emilie Lynn and the Phantom was Jonathan Roxmouth who some say makes a really really kick ass Phantom. And I couldn't agree more. The voice, so distinct, powerful and filled with emotion. URGHHH~! Again, I am forever grateful that the longest running broadway show has become very accessible to us. Catch it if you can. They have extended their season until October 14. There are still tickets available at TicketWorld. And just a note, if you're going to watch a stage play or musical in a proper theater, try to dress a bit nicely. It's a venue to bring out cocktail dresses and fancy frocks. :)

Rolling over to the weekend, I had planned a bit of Test Kitchen sessions to baptize my new oven mitts! Well, they aren't technically oven mitts, or maybe they are but it's the skimpy version. Haha. I got this from our trip to Duty Free last weekend and they were just around Php40 each. So I bought a pair.

We had left over squash from last week's recipe which we sweetened, halaya style. I tested filling a chocolate cookie with it, and making "puffs" with it. Since I was making a crust, I decided to bake beef pot pie which is to be my one of my lunchs for next week. And I had a bit of left over crust so I made a ham and cheese QUICHE! :) I've always wanted to make quiche, and I finally, successfully had to be consumed for breakfast on Monday. Yey.

"Gold Ore" Cookies, Sweet Squash Turnover, Beef Pot Pie, Melon Mochi, Ham and Cheese Quiche

I also tried my hand at making mochi, but I failed. I used the microwave recipe from Pepper.ph but I'm guessing the wattage on our microwave is higher than what was used in the recipe so it was a bit over cooked. Still edible, a bit like tikoy. Hahaha. I guess I'll try again next week.

So one more day left in my weekend, which should be spend tidying up my closet.

Hahaha!

<3, dee