This is based on the hit 1997 British movie of the same title about steel workers who lose their jobs and do a striptease ala-Chippendales act. It got several Oscar nominations and was made into a hit Broadway musical in 2000 with book by Terence McNally and score by David Yazbek, with the setting transferred to Buffalo, New York and the characters turned into Americans. Mark’s role was played originally in the movie by Robert Carlyle (“Priest”) and in the musical by Patrick Wilson (“Phantom of the Opera”).
“It was Boss Vic del Rosario who told me to do this,” says Mark. “I was hesitant at first kasi nga may hubaran, but I read the script and I play a good role, maganda ang songs and story. Also, Direk Chari assured me na hindi naman lalabas na malaswa, so sige, let’s try it. This is my second try at theatre after ‘Noli Me Tangere’ last year at the CCP where I played Crisostomo Ibarra. Tamang-tama rin that this came nang patapos na ang soap ko on GMA-7, ‘Yesterday’s Bride’. Bale ‘Party Pilipinas’ lang muna ang show roon during the play’s run.”
He’s obviously made the centerpiece of the play and this is very obvious even in the pictorials where he’s the only one shown shirtless to display his buff torso. “I really prepared for this through regular workouts. Hindi naman yung sobrang bulky. Just lean.”
He’ll be appearing with Arnell Ignacio (who plays a married macho character and not gay), Jamie Wilson, Nino Alejandro, OJ Mariano and balladeer Marco Sison. The plays runs at the RCBC Plaza Carlos Romulo Theatre in Makati from April 19 to May 5. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.
