By: Anthony Lim
As an early Christmas offering, Centrio Mall brought in the city world-class talents from Steps Dance Project, renowned TV and theater actor J.C. Santos, and the international tap dance artist and entertainer from New York, Omar Edwards to present the spectacular jazz musical, “Frankly Speaking” last November 20, 2015 at the Activity Center.
Several Kagay-anon shoppers and spectators were greatly impressed as the entire cast awesomely performed the art of dance featuring the best and timeless hits of the iconic jazz and traditional pop singer Francis Albert ‘Frank’ Sinatra such as “For Once In My Life”, “Blue Moon”, “Cheek to Cheek”, and “That’s Life”.
In a New-York-themed stage, J.C. Santos stepped in and sang his own version of Sinatra’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and 14 dancers from Steps, with immense creativity and professionalism, brought much enjoyment to the audience especially when the grand prize winner in 1994 of the famed U.S. TV show “Star Search”, Omar Edwards shook the stage with his stomping feet! With a matching delight in his face, he flawlessly showcased his love, groove, and talent in tap dancing.
The powerful dance concert that featured 15 Sinatra songs ended with J.C. Santos singing “Let It Snow” together with the finest scholars from Steps Dance Project and Omar Edwards as snow-white confetti are falling to bring to the audience the Christmas feels.
The evening was concluded by the lighting of Christmas tree and pictorial at the Centrio Garden with Steps Dance Studio director and Steps Dance Project founder Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, Steps Dance Project manager James Laforteza, Omar Edwards, and Operations Associate Manager Nathalie Mae Crisostomo and General Manager Pamela Mendez of Centrio to officially launch the Christmas season at the Mall.
Birthed in 2007, “Frankly Speaking” is directed by James Laforteza, one of our country’s most sought-after choreographers, and he co-choreographed it with Jeffrey Espejo, Jun Saagundo, Xernan Alfonso.
“Frankly Speaking” concert debuted at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City last November 7, 2015 and continued the Christmas Mall Tour 2015 from Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City to Abreeza Mall, Davao City last November 22, 2015.
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