NEWS & RELEASES [Press Clips]

SACRIFICE CREATIVE TEAM NOW EXPANDING IN PREPARATION FOR THE WEST END

In an unusual move for a major musical, lead producer Toby Simkin has announced that various core creative team positions are now open for applications and consideration.  The creative team comprises the lead producer, authors, composers, director, designers and other key specialists who will shape all aspects of the musical's structure, shape, look and sound in preparation for its Asian workshop prior to its West End opening.

"Creating a new musical in a huge task, both creatively and financially" said Toby Simkin.  He continued "Having a creative brain trust of experienced experts collaborating at the table, earlier than later in the development process, provides better insurance for success and more harmony in the final stages of rehearsal." Asked why he his posting publically, he said "In the true spirit of international production, we want to consider the best of the best from around the world, not just from my iPhone contact list".

"Musical theatre is a collaborative art form.  All aspects of the shows entertainment value (story, music, look and feel) combines to create an in theatre experience that must be perfect the first time an audience member buys a ticket -- so having these collaborators earlier than later just makes perfect sense." added Bobby Garcia.

For available positions, visit: www.SacrificeWorldwide.com/JoinUs

The musical of Sacrifice is directed by Bobby Garcia, produced by Toby Simkin, with a book and lyrics by Kenneth Clarke, music by Richard Daniels & Mark Troop, associate producers include William Ong, Richard Hardwick and DJ Wizniak. Sacrifice is the musical story of China's greatest Emperor stealing the Wife of his Son.  In his quest to win her back the Prince aligns himself with China’s greatest Villain. Together they create China's greatest Love story and sacrifice.   Dates of both the Asian workshop and the London opening will be announced at a future time.

www.SacrificeWorldwide.com
Twitter: SacrificeWorld
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December 2010
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SACRIFICE

After copious amounts of research sifting through thousands of mooncake boxes stacked in caves near Xi'an, we found irrefutable proof that Santa existed during the Tang Dynasty!

www.SacrificeWorldwide.com/Christmas

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December 2010
MUSICAL STORYLINE OF SACRIFICE IS REFINED

Following substantial development work and close collaboration of the Sacrifice creative team, Bobby Garcia, Toby Simkin, Kenneth Clarke, Richard Daniels & Mark Troop, the storyline, song list and structure of the show has been refined to appeal to international audiences of all backgrounds.  The musical is now focused on the true story of an Emperor, his son, and the woman they fight over – a tussle of love that threatens the very existence of the dynasty.

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September, 2010
FELIX RIVERA GOES INTO TO THE RECORDING STUDIO FOR SACRIFICE

Mr. Rivera recorded tracks in a Manila, Philippines recording studio, under the direction of Bobby Garcia, then these recordings were digitally sent to London, for mixing down tracks with the previously recorded voices of Leo Valdez and Ima Castro in London.  The results have developed some new songs from the Sacrifice creative team.

The recording of “Be Brave, Be Strong, Be True” is particularly haunting as he hits an emotional high D.  Mr, Rivera portrays the character of Prince Shou to Mr. Valdez' Emperor and Ms. Castro's Yang GuiFei.

Felix Rivera has worked with Atlantis Productions for the last three years and is Philippine Theatre's fast rising star. He just came from a summer in New York taking lessons with vocal coach Matt Farnsworth and skating guru Lezly Zeiring in preparation for Xanadu where he played Sonny Malone to critical acclaim.

Atlantis Productions: A Little Night Music (Henrik), Xanadu (Sonny Malone), Legally Blonde the Musical (Chad/Padamadan/Nikos), Avenue Q Manila and Singapore (Princeton/Rod), Spelling Bee Manila and Singapore (Chip). Other productions: A Christmas Carol (Fred/Young Scrooge), Mulan Jr. (Shang/Laozi), Orosman at Zafira (Orosman), Hamlet (Guildenstern), Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik), Joseph the Dreamer (Simeon), Footloose the Musical (Chuck Cranston cover), Lam-ang the Musical (Lam-ang). He’s currently seen on TV commercials as the Great Taste Coffee Barista. He is also the current resident voicer of Myx Music Channel.

The musical of Sacrifice is directed by Bobby Garcia, produced by Toby Simkin, with a book and lyrics by Kenneth Clarke, music by Richard Daniels & Mark Troop, associate producers include William Ong, Richard Hardwick and DJ Wizniak. Sacrifice is a true, powerful and shocking story, building to a climax with the great Tang Emperor’s agonizing decision: save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save his dynasty.  Themes explore love & sacrifice, duty to one’s country & one’s destiny, greed & betrayal.   Dates of both the Asian workshop and the London opening will be announced at a future time.

The latest recording sessions for Sacrifice are now available on the official website for Sacrifice.
www.SacrificeWorldwide.com

Twitter: SacrificeWorld
Facebook:  SacrificeWorld

August, 2010
LEO VALDEZ GOES INTO TO THE RECORDING STUDIO FOR SACRIFICE

Leo Valdez has completed a recording session in a London studio to portray the character of the Emperor Xuanzong and provide the dynamic male counterpart to that of Ima Castro as Yang GuiFei.  The results have developed some new songs from the Sacrifice creative team.

Tracks include "She is the One”, "Tyrant of the Night" and "Precious Baby of the Tang" all released on the website now, along with “Be Brave, Be Strong, Be True” which will be released next month.

At six, Leo sang solo "God Bless You Merry Gentlemen" in his church Christmas program. Later, encouraged by his mother, he won singing honours at school. At Port Washington High School, Wisconsin, USA he spent time as an American Field Service Scholar. After three years at University studying architecture, he went on to become one of the Philippines' best known performers. His name there is a byword in radio, television and in the world of musical theatre.

He has won three Best Male Performer Awards from ALIW, the country's highest entertainment award-giving body. The National Press Club Annual TINIG (Voice) Awards named him three times as "one of the most outstanding singers in the country". He has released six record albums, three of which have turned gold. Leo represented the Philippines in the first Asian Song Festival where he won the grand prize. He was awarded the best singer award and the song Magsimula Ka won the best song award. He is at ease performing before an intimate crowd or at the big stadiums of 20,000 or more, and has done shows and concerts all over Asia, Europe and America. His theatre credits include Ravana in "Ramahari", and the Good God Manama in "Tales of the Manuva", both presented by the Cultural Centre of the Philippines. He has starred in the most successful musical extravaganza at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre: "Hindi Kita Malimot", "Dahil Salyo", "Gomburza2, "Ewagan" and "Sarungbanggi" where the audience honoured him with standing ovations.

In 1993, he played the role of Jean Valjean in a repertory Philippines production of "Les Misérables" where the acclaim of critics and the audience gave him encouragement to audition for the Engineer in one of the most successful theatre productions of all time, "Miss Saigon". He played the role for almost a year in London. Back in the Philippines he essayed the role of Freddie Trumper in the New Voice Company production of "Chess The Musical", again to critical acclaim. In 1996 Leo repeated the role of the Engineer in the Sydney production of "Miss Saigon". After the stint in Sydney, Leo was busy doing television shows and concert tours all over the Philippines. A concert with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and concert tours of major cities in Asia, Australia, and America followed before Leo returned to "Miss Saigon" in London, playing the Engineer until the production closed in October 1999. Leo also played the same role in the Asian Tour of MISS SAIGON (Manila, Hong Kong & Singapore), and the UK National Tour.

The musical of Sacrifice is directed by Bobby Garcia, produced by Toby Simkin, with a book and lyrics by Kenneth Clarke, music by Richard Daniels & Mark Troop, associate producers include William Ong, Richard Hardwick and DJ Wizniak. Sacrifice is a true, powerful and shocking story, building to a climax with the great Tang Emperor’s agonizing decision: save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save his dynasty.  Themes explore love & sacrifice, duty to one’s country & one’s destiny, greed & betrayal.   Dates of both the Asian workshop and the London opening will be announced at a future time.

The latest recording sessions for Sacrifice are now available on the official website for Sacrifice.
www.SacrificeWorldwide.com

Twitter: SacrificeWorld
Facebook:  SacrificeWorld

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2010

“MIRACLE FROM MANILA”
IMA CASTRO RETURNS TO THE RECORDING STUDIO
WITH MIGUEL DIAZ FOR MORE SACRIFICE

SHANGHAI (simultaneously in London, UK).  Following the successful recording session in May 2010, Ima Castro joined with Miguel Diaz to record some new songs from the Sacrifice creative team.

Ms. Castro and Mr. Diaz previously appeared in the West End production of Miss Saigon, and sometimes share the stage together when doing Cabaret shows.

Composers Richard Daniels and Mark Troop wanted Ima to return and record new material, since the previously released demo “received such wonderful feedback and acclaim from our fan base”.

Kenneth Clarke (Author) said "Ima and Miguel's portrayal of the central characters of Sacrifice in the latest recording sessions certainly brings the words and music  of the libretto to life, highlighting both the strength of the material and the underlying plots and themes of the powerful story”

Bobby Garcia added "Ima Castro's second foray into our musical journey of Sacrifice once again highlighted the rich textures and eclectic nature of the score". 

Sacrifice is the story of China’s greatest emperor meeting the last of China’s 4 ancient beauties who adopts China’s most ruthless villain.  Their fateful triumvirate creates China’s greatest love story.

Emperor Xuanzong (of the prosperous Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD) steals  Yang GuiFei (one of China’s most beautiful women) into his court as a concubine from his son, Li Mao (the Prince of Shou) who at the time was married to her.  Corruption, greed and deceit ensue.  The Emperor allows his government to become corrupt, granting high positions to Yang GuiFei’s relatives. Her cousin is made the Chief Minister.

Yang GuiFei then adopts the barbarian general, An Lushan, who takes control of the army. The Emperor who is besotted by Yang GuiFei, ignores the affairs of state, largely managed by his faithful eunuch Gao Lishi.  The Emperor ignores warnings about the rise of An Lushan, and the general rebels, starting a civil war that lasts eight years, and in which millions are killed.

Ima Castro played the lead role of “Kim” in Miss Saigon after Lea Salonga in Manila, then in Hongkong, Singapore, Manchester, Dublin, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Lisbon, Belfast, Cardiff and other cities in the UK.  The composer of Miss Saigon, Claude-Michel Schonberg calls Ms. Castro “a miracle from Manila”.  Ms. Castro has won several local and international awards including the Grand Prize in the 1991 Panasonic nationwide “Quest for the Best”; Best Singer Award in Osaka, Japan; Best Interpreter in the “First Asia Song Festival” in Bali, Indonesia, and “Shine”, her winning song in the 1996 “Metropop Song Festival”.  Ms. Castro’s album, “Mamahalin Kita-Ima”, became a gold record which included a popular duet with Lloyd Umali.  A second album followed on the Polygram label.  Ms. Castro also recorded a duet with Enrique Iglesias entitled “You’re My Number One”.

Miguel M. Diaz Jr., is a self taught actor from the Philippines. He was one of the original cast members of the West End production of Miss Saigon in London. While in Miss Saigon he had the opportunity to play all the male Asian roles, the principal role of Thuy , and the Main Lead role of The Engineer.   Miguel joined the cast of The London Palladium production of The King And I. He played the role of the Interpreter and Kralahome, the prime minister.  At present he is performing his cabaret show called An Evening With Lady Imelda.  Between engagements he keeps himself busy writing a black comedy musical called The Camp Street Murder.

The musical of Sacrifice is directed by Bobby Garcia, produced by Toby Simkin, with a book and lyrics by Kenneth Clarke, music by Richard Daniels & Mark Troop, associate producers include William Ong, Richard Hardwick and DJ Wizniak. Sacrifice is a true, powerful and shocking story, building to a climax with the great Tang Emperor’s agonizing decision: save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save his dynasty.  Themes explore love & sacrifice, duty to one’s country & one’s destiny, greed & betrayal.   Dates of both the Asian workshop and the London opening will be announced at a future time.

The latest London recording sessions for Sacrifice are now available on the official website for Sacrifice.
http://www.SacrificeWorldwide.com

Twitter: SacrificeWorld
Facebook:  SacrificeWorld

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2010

GOLD RECORD HOLDER AND STAR OF
MISS SAIGON IMA CASTRO
LENDS HER VOICE TO THE
SACRIFICE MUSICAL COMING TO
LONDON’S WEST END

SHANGHAI (simultaneously in London, UK).  The Sacrifice creative team have emerged from a London recording studio with a series of new demo mixes starring Ima Castro.  These recordings are used to assist in the development of the musical.

“The studio recording sessions allow us to sit back, listen carefully, take notes and see what works and what doesn’t work.  It will help us map out the next part of our journey in creating this show as we work towards a workshop production next year” said Bobby Garcia, director of Sacrifice. 

Composer Richard Daniels said "Ima connected with the emotional core of the songs by producing powerful and dramatic moments in her performances. We explored genre and styles.  By doing this we have begun to reveal the musical essence of the piece".

Co-Composer Mark Troop added "With each take Ima got deeper and deeper into the character of Yang GuiFei"

Bobby Garcia added “I have worked with Ima Castro in MISS SAIGON, where she played a heartbreaking Kim.  I couldn’t be more thrilled that a performer of her caliber and star quality has lent her talent to us for this part of the process. We couldn't have asked for more.”

Kenneth Clarke (Author) said "As the librettist, I was thrilled at how quickly Ima Castro engaged with the heart, soul and themes of the story. She captured the highs and lows, the hopes and doubts of love and its ultimate sacrifice in a series of searing emotional performances"

Sacrifice is the story of China’s greatest emperor meeting the last of China’s 4 ancient beauties who adopts China’s most ruthless villain.  Their fateful triumvirate creates China’s greatest love story.

Emperor Xuanzong (of the prosperous Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD) steals  Yang GuiFei (one of China’s most beautiful women) into his court as a concubine from his son, Li Mao (the Prince of Shou) who at the time was married to her.  Corruption, greed and deceit ensue.  The Emperor allows his government to become corrupt, granting high positions to Yang GuiFei’s relatives. Her cousin is made the Chief Minister.  Yang GuiFei then adopts the barbarian general, An Lushan, who takes control of the army. The Emperor who is besotted by Yang GuiFei, ignores the affairs of state, largely managed by his faithful eunuch Gao Lishi.  The Emperor ignores warnings about the rise of An Lushan, and the general rebels, starting a civil war that lasts eight years, and in which millions are killed.

Ima Castro played the lead role of “Kim” in Miss Saigon after Lea Salonga in Manilla, then in Hongkong, Singapore, Manchester, Dublin, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Lisbon, Belfast, Cardiff and other cities in the UK.  The composer of Miss Saigon, Claude-Michel Schonberg calls Ms. Castro “a miracle from Manila”.

Ms. Castro has won several local and international awards including the Grand Prize in the 1991 Panasonic nationwide “Quest for the Best”; Best Singer Award in Osaka, Japan; Best Interpreter in the “First Asia Song Festival” in Bali, Indonesia, and “Shine”, her winning song in the 1996 “Metropop Song Festival”.

Ms. Castro’s album, “Mamahalin Kita-Ima”, became a gold record which included a popular duet with Lloyd Umali.  A second album followed on the Polygram label.  Ms. Castro also recorded a duet with Enrique Iglesias entitled “You’re My Number One”.

The musical of Sacrifice is directed by Bobby Garcia, produced by Toby Simkin, with a book and lyrics by Kenneth Clarke, music by Richard Daniels & Mark Troop, associate producers include William Ong, Richard Hardwick and DJ Wizniak. Sacrifice is a true, powerful and shocking story, building to a climax with the great Tang Emperor’s agonizing decision: save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save his dynasty.  Themes explore love & sacrifice, duty to one’s country & one’s destiny, greed & betrayal.   Dates of both the Asian workshop and the London opening will be announced at a future time.

Now, clips of her London recording sessions for Sacrifice can be heard on the official website for Sacrifice.

www.SacrificeWorldwide.com

Twitter: SacrificeWorld

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2010

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED DIRECTOR
ATTACHED TO THE SACRIFICE MUSICAL
COMING TO LONDON’S WEST END

SHANGHAI (simultaneously in London, UK).  Coinciding with the opening night of the Expo 2010 Shanghai, the Sacrifice partners  (producers Toby Simkin, William Ong and authors Kenneth Clarke, Richard Daniels and Mark Troop) are pleased to announce the attachment of internationally renowned stage director, Bobby Garcia to direct the musical of Sacrifice.  In addition to the feature film version, the musical is in development now to open in London's West End after an Asian workshop production. 

 “I have known Bobby for years, and greatly respected his unique ability to re-tell a foreign story to Asian audiences with his Asian productions of ‘The King and I’, ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ and  ‘Hairspray’.  I have been searching for a Director with an Asian sensibility to tell our love story to western audiences, Bobby was the #1 perfect choice.” said Toby Simkin, Lead Producer.

Bobby Garcia was born in Asia and raised in North America.

“I am really excited to helm this unique project as we head to London’s West End.  The score is a beautiful fusion of ancient Chinese and modern western sound, and the story is one of the greatest love stories of all time.” said Bobby Garcia

Sacrifice is the story of Emperor Xuanzong (of the prosperous Tang dynasty 618-907 AD) who brings Yang GuiFei, one of China’s most beautiful women, into his court as a concubine. When they adopt China’s greatest villain, the barbarian An Lushan, their fateful triumvirate creates China’s greatest love story.

Bobby Garcia has worked in film, television, stage and live concert entertainment.  Many of his shows have been staged throughout the Asian region including mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Notable stage productions include The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Manila & Singapore), Hairspray, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Asia tour), Dogeaters, Avenue Q (Manila & Singapore), The King & I (Asia tour), Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, Baby, Urinetown, Dreamgirls, The Rocky Horror Show, Proof, Tick,Tick…Boom!, Hedwig & The Angry Inch, Jesus Christ Superstar, How I Learned To Drive, and Rent (Manila & Singapore). Concerts and TV Specials include Lea Salonga: Your Songs, Lea Salonga: The Broadway Concert, Night of the Champions, The Prince of Pop & the Comedy Concert Queen, Lea Salonga: Songs From Home, Erik Santos Solo at the Coliseum and Lea Salonga: Home For Christmas.  He was also an Associate Director for Miss Saigon and was Hong Kong Disneyland’s first Show Director opening the park in 2005. Upcoming and future projects include the Broadway bound musical Rue McClanahan’s My First Five Husbands, the US National Tour of Cinderella, Xanadu and A Little Night Music in Manila & Singapore.  He is the winner of two Aliw Awards (Live Entertainment Awards) for Direction.

Sacrifice is a great story, but that a most famous Chinese story is written so beautifully by a western team gives this project a very unique production perspective.

Bobby Garcia and the authors (Kenneth Clarke, Richard Daniels and Mark Troop) have already been hard at work in the past couple of months developing the musical structure and characters in preparation for an Asian workshop production, prior to the London opening.  The team is currently preparing a new demo recording which will be made available on the official website in the summer of 2010.

Dates of both the Asian workshop and the London opening will be announced on our official website at a future time.

For further information visit:  www.SacrificeWorldwide.com

Review all of the news clippings to see the history of development of the project too date.

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