Ang Kalatas Volume V February 2015 Issue | Page 13

THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 5 Number 5 | February 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

13

MiG Ayesa's Thrilling Homecoming
MULTI-TALENTED Fil-Aussie artist MiG Ayesa seems to have done it all. He has performed in
shows which captured the hearts of audiences in Broadway in USA, West End in London, Manila
in the Philippines and other major cities over the years.

BY VIOLI CALVERT

HE HAD toured from New York to London
and Manila as Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages,
as ‘Galileo’ for the 10th Anniversary World
Arena Tour of We Will Rock You, and as lead
act in Thriller Live.
But it was only in the last couple of
months that MiG realised one of his wishes –
to tour Australia again, the home soil where
he grew up. Indeed it has been several
years since he played the role of Ritchie
Valens in the Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
which went on tour across Australia.
MiG’s dream homecoming takes him
around Australia as headline act of Thriller
Live, the musical which pays tribute to the
great Michael Jackson and his music. He
and the cast have completed shows in Perth,
Adelaide and Brisbane, and currently wowing
audiences in Melbourne.
The Sydney
audiences will get their chance to watch the
musical and see MiG do what he does best
from February 26 to March 8 at the Lyric
Theatre in Sydney.
“The Australian audiences have gone
totally nuts about the show. There must be
such an undying love for Michael Jackson
here that any connection with him is
celebrated and welcomed with open arms,”
said MiG when asked about his Australian
experience of Thriller Live.
“I expected the show to do well, but
was totally unprepared for the reception we
received in every city in Australia so far. We
were told that the Aussie audiences may
be a little quiet and reserved. Wrong! The
show is a thousand times more lively on this
Australian tour than it was in London,” he
said.
“I suspect it’s because the show is
embedded thick into the Theatre District of
London, amongst the dramatic plays and
blockbuster musicals, whereas THRILLER
LIVE is more like a concert than anything
else. But the promoters here have gotten it
right and we cannot be more thrilled with the
response.”
The show and MiG have been getting rave
reviews from the media and the audiences.
MiG’s number one fan in Perth, his
brother Andrew, said: “Thriller Live was
a fantastic night out. It was a show for all

ages...taking you on a journey through
Michael Jackson's life. It was not only
engaging and entertaining, but educational
too,” said MiG’s brother Andrew, his number
one fan in Perth.
“The cast were amazing.... I loved that
there wasn't just one performer playing
the part of Michael ...but a number of
outstanding singers including the everyouthful and charismatic MiG. He epitomises
professionalism and never disappoints.”
Another Fil-Aussie fan, Rose LLora
Walker of Brisbane said: “My husband and
I went to see Thriller as we are big fans
of MiG. He didn't disappoint us as MiG
always give 110%. It's been a number
of years since we saw MiG perform and
I can truly say he still has the ‘it’ factor
and yet manages to stay so humble! If
you enjoy Michael Jackson's music and
dance performances, I totally recommend
that you go and see the show as it was
thoroughly entertaining and you get to see
an entertainer (MiG) show his craft.”
MiG is excited reconnecting with his
Australian fans and in extending his
invitation, he said: “To all of you Sydneysiders…COME SEE THRILLER LIVE…
OR ELSE!! We’ve got a few locals in the
show (Prinnie Stevens, Tom Remaili, John
Maher, Victor Rounds, John Bettison, Tony
Azzopardi and myself)…but just come for
a great night out if you wanna be startin’
something and dance across the floor as we
rock with you all night!”
THRILLER LIVE is over two hours of
non-stop hits from pop to rock, soul to disco
and features stunning choreography and
innovative dance moves executed with flair,
precision and passion in a show that fans will
never forget.
THRILLER LIVE was originally conceived
and created by Adrian Grant, a longtime associate of Michael Jackson, and
author of ‘Michael Jackson – The Visual
Documentary’. The Australian tour of
THRILLER LIVE is produced by Ambassador
Theatre Group, The Flying Music Company,
BB Promotion and Lunchbox Theatricals in
association with Key Concerts and Adelaide
Festival Centre.