OH!

Oh man oh man I'm super excited for this :D

Official Trailer


Making Of


*scream*

Sing Dollar! The Musical Comedy about Money
by Dream Academy
Esplanade Theatre
25 July 2009, 8pm

When I review a production, I tend to compare my pre- and post-show impressions. I expected some slapstick humour from Sing Dollar. I got some slapstick humour from Sing Dollar.

Of course, that was not all. The production left me mostly happy, yet slightly confused.

The musical revolves around seven residents of Geylang who find half a million dollars, throwing them into a somewhat rampant chase for, well, a golden goose (ouch, bad pun, sorry). It all starts off rather promising -- a cabaret-style opening, very much a la Dim Sum Dollies, succeded by Sebastian Tan, Lim Kay Siu, Hossan Leong and Najip Ali literally 'tearing' their way through giant-sized foreign currencies to perform caricatures of the famous faces on the dollar bills.

Well, Sing Dollar is a comedy after all. There was some truly original material, but the over-used political humour was a bit of a hit-and-miss for me. I loved the boys' MJ remake but I could really do away with the Mas Selamat jokes by now ("No grilles! The Malay escaped through the window again!").

Likewise, the plot somehow left me feeling it was not fully discovered. Its breadth certainly compromised its depth. I wonder if it is truly necessary to have seven central characters, each with their own tale. To lean towards traditional large-scale musical theatre, I would have banked in on fewer main characters and a sizable ensemble. In the case of Sing Dollar, it seems an ensemble doesn't even exist -- aplomb with big names of the industry, there were only one or two scenes that had some actors offering some sort of "back-up" or accompaniment. And unfortunately, in those cases, were more distracting than supportive. In many occasions the ambitious harmonies by Elaine Chan were not well-balanced, leaving the audience confused over who to listen to.

If the above-mentioned was not a technical problem of sound balance, this would be the dilemma of a completely star-studded cast -- who should take the spotlight? Yet, to contradict, the consistency of the performers' standards were hugely satisfying. Unlike Snow White and Botak Boys (Own Time Own Target), the entire cast could sing, act and dance pretty well. Furthermore, there was great synergy amongst the cast; you could almost feel their pride and joy as they presented Dream Academy's first musical.

Generally, Sing Dollar is pretty much like Singapore -- full of variety, vaguely interesting but really confused. In terms of music, the cheesy Hokkien and Malay songs admittedly tickled, but the Chinese lyrics were simply strange and unpoetic, especially when it was for a moment of melodrama. Characters-wise, stereotypes were aplenty. Very little time was invested in character development. Yet somehow, when it was all packaged together, it turned into a strangely delicious combination of song and dance.

I guess Sing Dollar was a good representation of writer Selena Tan's intentions: "didn't want something that was completely plot-driven, but something that was more about the characters and themes with a dose of cabaret."

If you like plain good colourful fun, Sing Dollar is for you. Some call it meaningless comedy. I call it the occasional necessity to keep your sanity.

---

Other points that would have been in the review if not for sleepiness:

1) The set was pretty impressive. High-budget.
2) Programmes were free. Fun design.
3) I love Sebastian Tan's high notes. I think I'm a fan... again.
4) CD recording is decent, though a tad pricey for 5 songs ($10). Lyrics should be provided!
5) Honestly, ignore all that criticism above. It's awesomely fun. Go catch it. Valentia and I had incredible seats, right smack in the middle. I'm 80% sure the actors were singing to us. *Self-delusional*

I finally had my first taste of Ben & Jerry's ice cream today. Cheers! Not too bad but severely overpriced, in my opinion. Sorry B&J fans, I am not one who appreciates ice cream a lot. Perhaps it's because we only have boring flavours here in Singapore. Here's it's pretty much limited to chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate chip and the rare mint chocolate.

But of course I would pick a hearty Peranakan meal over dessert anytime.

Sing Dollar was surprisingly interesting. Shall review it tomorrow, while images are still fresh in the mind, and after I listen to the recordings again.

(I should start a proper archive of theatre reviews... That'd be a really fun project. Possibly good excuse for interviews and such. But it'd take up a lot of time and reason.)

Meanwhile, some Tropfest NY 2008 picks:

The Wildflower by Charles Divak (Hilarious)


Mrs. Jones by Jonathan Emmerling (Cute grandma!)


Mankind is No Island by Jason van Genderen

Awwwww

Pretty good short film. It's like sipping on hot Milo in an air-conditioned room.

Own Time Own Target
by W!LD RICE
Drama Centre, National Library Building
18 July 2009, 8.00 pm

Okay, I admit, I did expect OTOT to possess some elements echoing Army Daze.

(Honestly, I face difficulty recalling Army Daze, considering the fact that I first watched the movie in my very early childhood. But I remember it was such a careless film that you could see the furry sound mics in one scene.)

Well, the double-bill, consisting of Full Tank and Botak Boys, proved otherwise, and to be worth every dollar. (Since I'm probably watching it twice, that's doubly so?)

Full Tank tells the tale of four army men who hijack a tank, taking it on a joyride(?) and their curious encounters. The flashbacks are apt and possibly completely necessary to achieve such a comic effect, but are not executed smoothly enough. There were way too many flashbacks for prop/set transitions and repetitive lighting effects. Nevertheless, kudos to the cast for their performance that never failed to tease. All I can say is, Brendon Fernandez + Mamasan Mary = Good times.

Botak Boys was definitely a feast for the eyes, with some thoughtful employment of lighting and music. Perhaps the bigger cast brought slightly more energy onto the stage. However more light should have been shed on the main character's internal struggle, rather than some to-the-stars-and-moon weeping (sorry, bad analogy) that bordered on being melodramatic. I wasn't too excited about the somewhat predictable plot but the musical numbers were tight. The music was extremely effective and Botak Boys probably wouldn't be as well-received without it.

Overall, OTOT wouldn't be something to fret over, as compared to, say, Conrad's Heart of Darkness. It is really plain good fun. (Not really clean fun though, the weak-hearted may be jarred by the dizzying use of vulgarities.)

Totally worth the time, people!

Oh 8 Days, how you torture me so.

A few weeks ago, I casually sent a text message to a contest organised by 8 Days. The prize would be a pair of tickets to Own Time Own Target. Considering that my phone plan allows 1000 free SMSes a month, I gave it a go. I mean, it was like one text message.

Weeks passed, no news. So I decided to give Dr. Angelin a surprise birthday present and got us a pair of tickets for tomorrow's evening show, considering that both of us wanted to catch it.

Then one fateful afternoon (i.e. TODAY), 8 Days informs me I've won a pair to this Sunday's evening show.

Grrreat.

It's like happiness, plus "D'OH!". Now I have 2 days to take care of those tickets. ):

Sigh. Nevertheless, I shall look forward to tomorrow! :D

---

Okay, will not tell. I'm too late. ._.

KInda regret that but it's for the better.

2 days to total awesomeness!

I want to go for like 8 trainings within the next two weeks. Then maybe I'll stand a chance at the gala...

---

(To throw away any sense of organisation, or sense at all...)

Life is like a drag queen.

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.

You'll think you know there's more than meets the eye, then believe you've seen what it really is beneath the surface, but your new insight is really yet another disillusion. Then perhaps the true meaning is the most superficial.

Epic. Joyous. Prance!

"Simple does not mean not complicated."

Take life with a pinch of salt. Nothing is more important than taking things lightly. Yet that is difficult.

I will give a great big hug and forever love whoever gets me this.


She's a beauty!

Yes, I've already decided that this snare drum will be a she. And her name will be Tommy.

Decided priority for work is enjoying it, followed by getting it done.

---

Dr. Valentia Angelin, PhD is obsessed with Boatship. (:

Bizarre observation #29:

It is now common belief that being seated in alphabetical order of your name (as in NRIC/FIN) is a precautionary measure against H1N1, or Flu A. This is possibly due to the recent sightings of the Register Number Fairy, who allegedly protects those who worship her in an orderly fashion.

---

School has been strangely... relaxing. Project deadlines have past. Minimal homework so far.

Everyone's pretty much enjoying the staggered recess thing. This could very possibly be the best move (for student welfare) by the school management so far.

Yet I lack sleep. Emails. Text messages. Personal statements.

MSN.

It's true. Distraction -> No ability to focus.

I should be focusing on my application. Or tests. Something academic.

A scout burst into the room, through the door. "Porcupines!" he shouted.
"Porcupines what?" the Dean asked.
"Thousands and thousands of them. Three miles down the road and coming fast!"
"Maybe they won't enroll," the Dean said. "Maybe they're just passing through."
--"Porcupines at the University"

---

Today we watched a 3D animation in class. It was pretty decent, but halfway through 2D people appeared out of nowhere. It was... absolutely eye-opening.

I do not understand why they animate 2D characters in a 3D film. I very much less understand why they create both 2D and 3D characters in the same scene.

(It is either laziness on the animators' part, or a sad attempt at some subliminal artistic message. I would like to think the former.)

(I would also be pretty freaked out if I met 2D people in real life. Theoretically they wouldn't even be paper-thin because paper has depth...)

More treasures from wikiHow:

1) How to breathe deeply

The trick is in being "gentle and patient". Be warned though, "if you get dizzy or lightheaded, you are breathing too quickly".

2) How to sleep in class

Omgz, some loser actually named the various complex snoozing techniques.

3) Everyone forgets this sometimes. It's nothing to be embarrassed about.

4) How to think

"Deciding what you want to think about" is. a. fallacy.

---

Geez. Does anyone still read Fakebook (Sunday Times)? For real? Because... it's terrible. Terribly unfunny.

Dear Oven,

You have been sitting in my kitchen for three years now. It has been three fruitful years, heating up leftovers, roasting poultry and baking bread. We have had so many adventures together, from chaotah brownies to sinful cookies.

Everyone envied me for having such a big beautiful oven. You were covered in gorgeous stainless steel. You could carry up to three racks of whatever I wanted to bake at once. You had the fan function to make baking faster. You had a heatproof glass door and a inbuilt light so I could peek at whatever was happening. You had a clock and an alarm which my maid would use for her morning wake-up call.

Yet, all awesome things must end. Yesterday, you finally succumbed to age (despite your 10-year warrantee). You gave off smoke for no reason. You broke down.

Oven, please work tomorrow so that I can bake more cookies. If you refuse to cooperate, I can only sue your manufacturer and bid you farewell.

Love,
Me

---

Hilarity ensues with the HK relatives...

(Imagine my 35-year-old HK cousin has Singlish accent. He studied here in his secondary school days)

HK cousin: Eh today I called Bengawan Solo to order...
My mum: HUH?! I ordered for you already! The kueh lapis!
HK cousin: ...Shit! I order already!
My mum: Aiya! Shit you!
HK cousin: I din know you order mah...

---

I hate ratamacue )':

STOMP* IS COMING TO SINGAPORE!

*not referring to hilarious ST gossip/bitching forum

Student tickets at $50! I want!

Ah but Dr. Valentia Angelin, PhD and I are watching Sing Dollar already. $81 per person, yo. Good lord.

(And I still wanted to buy tickets to Own Time Own Target. Dumb! Ah well, I shall never ever catch it. D: )

I promise I will do front-of-house for the year-end pantomime and get free Cat 1 tickets! LOOKING FOR BUDDIES TO COME WITH!

Oh yay I'm going all goo-goo for theatre again!

(Even Mr. J. Tan says VJC is good! CARBON AND BARLEY YOU 2 APPLY TOO OKAY!)

---

Today, I'm going to bring closure and bake cookies.