LANCE RAYMUNDO REUNITES WITH HIS VERY FIRST DIRECTOR ON THEATER, IN PERSON OF DIREK JUN PABLO VIA THE PLAY 'ROMEO & JULIET', REHEARSALS STARTS BY THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2020

ROMEO & JULIET: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BUT TRAGIC LOVE STORY EVER TOLD

BLOGGER ROBERT (LEFT IN RED SHIRT), WITH DIRECTOR JUN PABLO AND ACTOR-SINGER LANCE RAYMUNDO

LANCE: THE PERFECT ROMEO

LANCE: AN ETERNAL YOUTHFUL GLOW

LANCE: STILL SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT "JULIET"

LANCE: SEXY ROMEO

It was a great lunch meeting at an exclusive Thai restaurant named Nina (located at the 3rd floor of SM Megamall) with actor-singer Lance Raymundo and veteran stage director Jun Pablo (C.E.O. of Gantimpala Theater Foundation) as they discussed together with blogger Robert Silverio the important details in the pre-production stages and revival of Gantimpala's most successful stage play ever- "Romeo and Juliet".

The meeting ended with direk Jun saying that the rehearsals for the play will start by the month of December 2020 and performances for schools and other theater venues like the AFP Theater and Meralco Theater will begin by the month of February 2021 (next year).

"This play will take so long for rehearsals because of the fencing action scenes, the long English lines in the script and my intent to make the play the most beautiful play of all", direk Jun said. "It was the most successful play I had ever directed. And reviving it this time, together with my very first Romeo- Lance Raymundo again, brings so much joy to my heart."

For all those who doesn't know yet, it was direk Jun Pablo who was Lance's very first director on stage via the play "Romeo & Juliet" years ago. It was also direk Jun who first directed the original version of the said play, before the late Tony Espejo (R.I. P.) had his turn and own version for the play and also got Lance Raymundo as Romeo.

That's why during the lunch meeting, direk Jun and Lance were both very emotional and nostalgic. They both reminisced and recalled the many controversial incidents when they staged the said classic play. They laughed, giggled and smiled recalling all those memories. Like that incident when direk Jun had to close the curtains abruptly because he saw Lance perspiring so much in a bed scene, only did he know later, that Lance was caught in a very awkward live situation because 'HIS THING' stood-up like a flag ceremony in that delicate bed scene with Juliet, portrayed by Ms. Adriana Agcaoili at that time.

This blogger asked Lance during the meeting: "How could you relate to the character of Romeo? Would you say that he's also like you?"

"Yes, Robert, I am very much like Romeo in many same ways", Lance answered. "Just like him, I am so passionate in loving a girl. I would go hell and high waters just to be with the person that I love."

A big pharmaceutical company, a famous skin clinic, a beauty product company, among others, are now keen in sponsoring the play "Romeo & Juliet". Lance's and direk Jun's plan is to present the play also to mature audiences and not just to students. That's why they're targeting either Meralco Theater or Solaire Theater as separate venues for the play, aside from the AFP Theater which is the regular venue for all Gantimpala plays.

Direk Jun is also eyeing award-winning director Jose Jeffrey Camanag as his assistant director for the revival of Romeo & Juliet play. He's wishing that direk Jeffrey will be free for the schedules.

Auditions for the supporting cast of the play and for the role of Juliet will be set around the month of July and August this year.

Wow...Whew. ROMEO AND JULIET, THE PLAY. This could be Gantimpala Theater Foundation's biggest and most powerful play to date! Watch out in February 2021!!!

(words by robert manuguid silverio)