MOVIE AND TV VIEWERS don’t really know him but to theatre aficionados, the name Felix Rivera is very familiar. We’ve seen him doing lead roles in various musicals and we’re not surprised he’s tagged as the Golden Boy of Philippine Musical theatre. He shone in the dual roles of Princeton and Rod in ‘
Avenue Q’, as Chip Tolentino in ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’, Sonny Malone in ‘Xanadu’ and Henrik in ‘
A Little Night Music.’ His performances elicited critical acclaim not only in Manila but also in Singapore. He now plays Gabe, the seemingly perfect son who has problems of his own in “Next to Normal”, a contemporary rock musical that has won both the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award. It explores how one suburban family copes with being dysfunctional. With provocative lyrics and an electrifying musical score that includes more than 30 original songs, “Next To Normal” shows exactly how far two parents, Menchu Yulo and Jett Pangan, will go in order to keep themselves sane and their family’s world intact. The play also stars
Markki Stroem and Bea Garcia. “Felix represents the best of the next generation of musical theatre actors,” says Atlantis Productions Director Bobby Garcia. “He’s not only versatile and talented but has commendable discipline and a burning passion for theatre. It’s always a joy to work with young actors like him who have that passion.”
“Next to Normal” opens on March 11 at the Carlos Romulo Theatre on RCBC Plaza in Makati. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187.
