It’s PLAYtime again….

Hi Guys

I hope everyone’s taken a good break since the musical…. It’s PLAYtime again….

We will be doing our next round of training programmes:

1) Dance with Gani on Fridays

2) Intermediate Singing with Babes on Thursdays

3) Hosting with Jeremiah on Mondays

Email or call Freddy for more information if you are interested  (freddy@odp.com.sg or 6534 4423)

Good news is ALL PLAY members are EXEMPT from audition.

For some of you who would like to take a longer break, we will continue with further training programmes from October to December (ending with the year with a concert).

And for those of you who are “saving” yourself for another musical….. YES! We are doing another May Day musical.

More information to come. Please keep yourself FREE from Jan to May – If we start earlier, then it wont be so intensive Promise…..

hope to see you all soon,

love,
jeremiah

Oh!..Wei Wei… I am lost for words

Dearest All

Hope everyone’s well.

Like Jere, I slept in the next day. (I slept till 3pm- talk abt concuss-ed), but was out and about immediately after as I had stuff to prepare for before I left on the 4th which was also the last day of teaching in AMKSS for the semester.

I’m now in KL and boy is this work tough, but exciting. Preparing for an epic Bali-nised production of Shakespeare’s Tempest. So, my party with some of you guys at Union Sq on that very last night was my way of dispensing with post production blues. You, see, I can’t afford to “linger” as I had to “move on”, it’s just the way my life as an artiste is. Otherwise, I can’t focus on the moments and what I have to do now. Hope you’ll understand.

having said that, obviously, I won’t be able to attend the cast party. However, I’ll be with you guys in spirit.

As I’ve mentioned: an end is also a new beginning. I don’t believe in full-stops. Rather, I believe in the pauses, commas, and semicolans. Therefore, It’s not “goodbyes”. Rather, God-willing, “till next time”…

Have fun at the party…. will think of ya’ll!!

Gtg… I’m pooped out by the physical work here…

Till next time, take care ya’ll

Love

Gani

my bro came to watch our play.. and now everytime i play the cd of our recording… once the overture ends, he goes.. hi grandpa….. danny… trouble at work.. anything wrong…    and he sings along to seperations and ‘strikes’.. he also wants to burn the song that selly sang… he is the one.. felt goosebumps..

wei..wei…. I am truly lost for words…

Cynthia SHirLeY

My dear people,

Thank you for the experience of a lifetime… It has always been my dream to be in a musical, and i’ve finally achieved it with the help of Young NTUC, Jere, Gani, Babes, the whole cast and crew of ODP.

I’ve been trying to avoid the musical and everything that is associated with it, but i’m afraid that i’ve failed in that aspect. Don’t get me wrong, i love the musical with all my heart and soul, but everytime i hear the music or remember the steps, the lines, the laughter, the tears… I just wanna break down. I’ve been busying myself with forums and union projects to escape the realism of it all, but everywhere i go, i hear the soundtrack from LOL, or i’m reminded of it by the staff of Young NTUC or other unionists.

I’ve tried to sleep at night for the past week, but end up staring at the walls and the ceiling remembering my lines and the music, and especially of the past happenings, the conversations, and every single one of you who have made this a reality (esp the guys and gals in black). I’m been haunted by every single memory of the musical, the smoke breaks… And i cannot type this without having tears in my eyes. Drama? Yes… but very real.

I am one of the few that Spencer have mentioned… As much as i would love to continue and be in more productions, i’m afraid that LOL has been my 1st and last. It has given me lots of joy and sadness, love and anguish.. I’ve had to deal with lots of stuff esp in the last week of productions. Those whom i’m closer to would understand what i’m talking about…

I’l try my bestest to be there on Saturday, to mix and mingle, and to cry (i know i will).. But it all depends……

Thank you especially to Pam, for being a friend who listens to my problems and understands where i’m coming from. Also to Richard for sharing the problems that i’m going through.

Just remember, “When God closes one door, he always opens another!”

And on a lighter note… When this Mary settles down next year, you will all be invited!! Insha’allah 

MUAHKZ! I’ll love u guys always!

PBD (Phoebe-Brain-Dead)

If there was anyone I would cry for a million time, it would be you… Tears of sadness, no… not that… yes… tears of happiness, of peace, of laughter, of love… I never knew I could be so close, yet deep down, I feel certainly lost without your presence. Waking up to mornings, without packing extra clothes for rehearsals… makes me lost… I never felt so much joy and happiness.. The love you have given unselfishly, why do I feel so empty.. If I could turn back the time, I would freeze at the moment where we gathered. I cant help but sing songs, dance to the steps, act with an echo… Im here…….. God Bless You. For Love is never forgotten, so divine. Thank you for leaving footprints in my soul…

I once was lost, but now Im found… was blind but now I see

Love always

Cynthia Shirley

to all you great alol-ians…

Pardon my messed up email… it has taken most of us a couple of days to even come out of our state of PMS (post-musical syndrome…) So bad is our PMS that the team here in our humble 11th floor office can be caught humming to ourselves when we think no one is paying attention or when we collectively break into dance routine… (please don’t call IMH, we’re just happy, not yet crazy haha)

tonight as I sit in office, I keep having the nagging feeling that I need to go down to Room 801, that humble little room that we’ve called home for the past four months… I remember the last few weeks of rehearsals, the straight Thursday to Monday rehearsal schedules… Of seeing the passion that everyone of you shared in making this musical a success…

this has certainly been a most rewarding experience and one that I will cherish and treasure… And even more so because this was not a journey taken alone, but one made ever more enriching because it was shared with each and everyone of you… And for that, I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives for the past few months… It wasn’t the destination that mattered, nor was it the journey… But who was on the journey with you that truly truly matters…

Like steve, this journey for me has been a long one, one that spans over four years… It started in a simple way, with a vision, a dream… And Marj can perhaps bear testament to part of that journey when another community musical came to fruition two years ago… Through fortunate twists of fate and circumstance, I came to be part of a little band of brothers and sisters who were privileged to be able to walk alongside all of you today… (“Can two walk together, except they be agreed” – Amos 3:3)

To the fabulous team at Orangedot… You guys are simply fabulous… Jere, Gani, Mama Babes, Terence, your talents have allowed this dream to be even more beautiful than when we first imagined it to be. Freddy, Rabil, James, Bino, Daniel, thank you for looking after all the cast and all the nitty-gritty, it has been a honor to work with all of you…

To the guys and gals in black… Lu, Grace and all the guys & gals on and off stage… You all rock! Glad to have been able to contribute my small little part and work alongside all of you those 7 days.

To every single one of you in the cast… Thank you… Thank you for being here for us… Thank you for all the dedication and passion… Spencer, Selly, Al, Shahrier, Phoebe, Cynthia, Pam, David, Richard, Hwee Ping, Cindy, Clarice, Daniel, Debbie, Jialing, Rayrin, Sherwin, Wayne (my juniors who have certainly made me very proud to be a Victorian… Nil Sine Labore!), Fauziah, Jern, Hsuan2, Lauren, Marj, Shikin, Ray, Serene, Zhenghua, if I cpuld give out Oscars for passion, drive and commitment, they’ll all go to you guys… And last but definitely definitely not the least… Brother Cyrille, for being our anchor and rock of the cast, the inspiration to us all… It has been an honor for us all!

This is not the end… This is the beginning of a far more beautiful journey ahead!

“A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles…” – Tim Cahill

Our Labour of Love,

Alex aka The Black Glove Guy :p

Oh weiwei everyone,

I was reading everyone’s email and then tears almost drop .i am proud of the musical and all of us. when i see the lyrics for “he’s the one” from Steve’s email, my nose and eye become sour, and heart flutter for a while.

now having post musical blues. miss all the people and rehearsals. need time to adapt. Tian Xia Wu Bu San Zhi Yan Xi.

was listening to the original cast soundtrack when i was on my way to office this morning, and can still clearly remember all the steps and what we have gone thru on stage. all these are precious memories which nothing can buy.

so gald to know all lot of talented, helpful, passionate and fun friends during the musical. All of us need to keep in touch oh.

Would like to specially thanks Jeremiah for his amazing script and direction, Gani for his lovely dance steps and Babes for her heart-enchanting songs composition (believing that i can sing alto). I have learned a lot during this whole musical. Thanks!

All these would not have been possible if not for Terrence’s wonderful arrangement. Terrence, you rocks!!!

Of course not forgetting our beloved coordinator, Freddy, who always sending SMSs to us to update us and also remind us to rehearsals. Not forgetting Robin, who is so creative and smart in doing all the props, and Bino, we are always happy when you call us, that means its time for “salary”, and all orange dot crews.

Thanks all the casts, I had a great time with all of you. The musical would not have been possible if not for you all.

MANY THANKS TO:

- Thanks Xuan for coming back and always willing to share (then got people do vocal warm up with us, nah just kiddding)

- thanks to the VJ kids (Debbie, Wayne, Jialing, Rayrin, Sherwin, always so active and full of energy, and just like the main choir in our musical, enjoyed when you all sing acapalla)

- so glad can work with Serene, Lauren, Pheobe, ZhengHua, Xuan back in this musical. Lauren our star actor. Serene whom always share cab with me. Pheobe for able to join this musical and also to balance work, zhenghua for coming back to us and able to pick up so fast

- Wonderful Marj who always there for almost every rehearsal (can’t rem when you didn’t come le) and not forgetting the Julie biscuits you buy

- Thanks David in bring Raymond in when we got not enough guys. And wonderful Raymond who can blend in with us so fast and well

- shahrier, you made the role of “Ravi” so lively and made the audience laugh. Thanks for hanging to the musical altot you have a tight schedule as a doctor

- Al who joined into the musical when you are not comfortable with singing at first (now can sing like a

bird)

- Richard for always so concern about me and still dance when you are very Wu Shu body

- Cyrille with his deep voice and always so spontaneous dance and lines

- Fauziah for teaching the dance steps and leading the physical warm up

- Hwee Ping for taking part when there are difficult dance steps

- Danial for adding the power of guys and staying on knowing we need more guy power

- Clarice for coming back even when you sprain your leg

- Shikin for always being my camera women

- Cynthia for all her special sneezing sound

- Pam for your chocolate, and seaweed and biscuits from Korea

- Last but not least, our Selly and Spencer, you’ve made the musical shine!!! If not for your commitments, we can’t have all the rehearsals.

And many more la, can only write these much now (paiseh, I know it’s a lot)

Thanks to Steve who have faith in us and have hang on to the musical idea till it comes true (you made many of our dream comes true also), and Alex for all his coordination (The black glove guy, heehee), Nick for the effort is making our blog so lively.

Thanks Steve, ashley, mortha, lynette, emy, pauline, qian wei, danvier, meggie, andrew, shiek, daniel, lu, grace, wayne, and many other people behind the scene (sorry, cant rem all your names, programme book also not with me)

To add on, thanks to jern also who believed in Xuan and come in to our musical and always so serious when dancing and singing. Salute.

Love you all, and paiseh for the long and messy email.

See ya on Sat.

Cheers,
Cindy:)

Dear All

These chain emails are getting more and more interesting.. pretty interesting. Can entertain me while am doing and settling the post production admin matters.
 
Like Jere,, I slept throughout and it was damn shiok lor, plus it was pouring in the morning too….DOUBLE BONUS MAN! But, got splitting headache lor!!

You all are so EMO…EMO to the max sia! But am of no difference la, first thing I did when I woke up was to dig for the soundtrack. Then,,, ALAMAK!! Realise I left it in the office. Then, of cos, manage to listen to it again once I got into office. “THOSE UNFORGETTABLE MELODIES, PRECISIONED CHOREOGRAPHY AND GOOSEBUMPY DIALOGUE” came back instantly upon hearing the soundtrack. Though I did not cry as much as the casts or Jere during the show, due to fact that you can be bothered just by listening on the cans how chaotic-ly LU and the production crew were trying to rectify bottlenecks during the musical, I was weeping in FULL-BLAST MODE(think Japanese anime) during the matinee show…All thanks to Cyrille and his FAKE weeping moment during the hospital scene. When I realized it was fake, I felt cheated but proud to know that this lovely, gung-ho, witty, not really naggy “Grandpa” has really got a “HUGE……….!” sense of humor.

Salute to all casts, who have shown their utmost dedication and passion to this production. At first, I really have doubts, not because they are mostly amateurs, but doubts if they can commit to such stringent schedules. I can vividly remember moments when I received sms-es, informing me that they wanna quit or have gone “MIA”. Greatest displeasure was to realize that sister Hsuan was leaving due to her work. I was really demoralized and was keeping my fingers,, and even my toes crossed, hoping all will not backed out. In the end, FAITH has brought most of them back, but not all. And not forgetting a “BIG Thank You” to Selly, Spencer, Debbie, the VJC kids, the rest of the main leads for the endless hours of recording and the magical back-up vocals of  “She’s the one” dance track. But of cos, the mastermind behind all these recording works was none other than our Mr Ken C, so patient and professional. Yes,,, and thank you to ppl who have brought tonnes of glorious food like chips, pastries, kueh kueh etc! A smack to those who didn’t wash their dirty cups…you know who u are.. i shall not mention names! Ai ya,, the list never ends,,, so many ppl to thank. Sound, lights, set, make-up, hair, costume,Terence,Steve & Alex the wonder duo with his team, PLAY members, my lovely BOYS-in-BLACK , the restless dressers, Lu, Grace and my fellow ODP colleagues lor! Kam Sia Many Many!!

Last but not least, bowing to the Holy Trinity of the production, Jeremiah, Babes and Gani. Without their contributions, LOL would be soulless. We’ve just rub shoulders with the 3 GODS u know,, dun pray pray.

Thank you NTUC for giving us this chance and for having so much faith in us all. “NTUC,,,you’re always there for me!! “ Gee.. I am such a sucker..!

Ok.. time for my spa, gym, shopping and high-tea !! Yippee.. See you all on sat!!
 

Cheers
Freddy Lai

Final Curtains for A Labour of Love

Dear all,
A Labour of Love ended its run of 4 shows yesterday. On behalf of the cast, crew and everyone who was involved in making this happen, thank you all for your superb support! We sincerely hope you enjoyed the performance/s!Before we take our final bow [ie, no more spam from me ], would like to share our best kept top 10 behind the scene “secrets” just for keepsakes:

1) There were 28 cast members aged 17 to 58 years. Amongst them, we had JC students, a doctor (almost, actually), a headhunter, a JTC scholar, a yellow ribbon project participant and many other diverse occupations. 

2) The products on display in the Welcome supermarket scene were named after each member of the cast.

3) When we had our first full dress rehearsal on stage, the emotions were so intense that many of the cast cried and lost their lines.

4) The set and props were designed and built by undergraduates from the School of Architecture, NUS.

5) The inspiration for the song “Faith, Hope and a little Luck” came from MM Lee’s 80th birthday speech.

6) The materials for the script came from the handouts from the first run of the PDER course by OTC/NUS. It was in the module conducted by Ms. Evelyn Wong. So for all those wondering if you should attend the course, yup, it is useful!

7) The musical “A River in Time” commissioned by NTUC in 1994 was set in early immigrant Singapore till post war. “A Labour of Love” continues from independance till modern day Singapore. Looks like the next sequel will be future Singapore?

8) The theme song: “U’ll always be there for me” is a play on U (for union). The final lyrics read: U will pick me up when I falter, U will carry me when I feel faint. The mandarin title of the musical “总在你左右” is also a play of “职总”.

9) The musical took 2 years from conceptualisation to reality.

10) The cast recording cd (sold on site) was recorded in 1 day by the cast after work from 7pm till 2.30am in a studio at a quiet little corner of Lavendar St. For anyone keen to purchase the cds, please drop me a mail.

So there, a final note on the musical. Thanks again, and see you real soon!

Regards,

Steve Tan