Arts

Marc Macalintal: Musical Directions

PIPPIN Production Photos by Michael Lamont East West Players. All rights reserved.

Los Angeles, CA — In the cool interior of the David Henry Hwang Theater in Little Tokyo, downtown L.A., Marc Macalintal, currently the Music Director and Keyboards of East West Players’ Hip-Hop production of Stephen Schwartz’s PIPPIN, shared his experiences and joys in the field of musical productions.

Music was an enigma which Marc enjoyed deciphering. Even as a young boy, he taught himself how to read music by studying all the elves in the Thompson method books used by his sister and was able to play the piano on his own. Marc added, “My parents encouraged and supported my interests by enrolling me for formal training at Pedrini Music in Alhambra under Gary Webber and later with Charlotte Zelka.”

The theater bug hit Marc while he was still studying at the Jesuit-run Loyola High School in Culver City where he received the Montgomery Music Award. He accompanied the school’s concert choir and joined the pit orchestra in the school’s spring musical during his junior year. “It was also at that time when I realized that I wanted to sing and act on stage as well,” Marc added.

To fulfill his dreams, Marc went to California State University in Northridge to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree in Music majoring in Piano Performance. It was at CalState Northridge where he began to truly appreciate his Filipino heritage when he joined the Filipino American Student Association.

His parents have retired and have gone back to the Philippines and are living in Batangas, their hometown. Marc finds time to fly over to visit them and also touch base with university-based theater and improv groups in Manila.

Marc said, “When I was younger, I was always reluctant to join my parents when they went to Fil-Am civic and social activities in Southern California. I preferred to work on my music or just hang out with my friends. Joining the Fil-Am Student Association showed me how important it was to connect with my Filipino roots, my Asian identity, to be more equipped to work on my future.”

His future looks bright with all the experience gathered in a decade. Previous to PIPPIN, Marc has been involved in many East West Players (EWP) Productions since 2001. He was the music director for ‘TIS THE SEASON: CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE THREE FILIPINO TENORS and was also with the Tenors when they represented EWP at the 1st National Asian American Theater Festival in New York. Other EWP music director credits include HMS PINAFORE, GUYS AND DOLLS, YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, and A JIVE BOMBER’S CHRISTMAS.

An EWP Beulah Quo Scholarship recipient, Marc has performed as an actor with EWP in , IMELDA, and MASTER CLASS. He wishes to thank “Tim, Blythe, Jason, Nathan, the cast, Meg and the crew for this amazing experience, and especially to MJ for all your love throughout all of this madness!”

He has done shows with other theater groups such as: West Coast Ensemble, Courage Productions, Golden Performing Arts, Teada Productions, Musical Theatre West and is also a graduate from Second City’s Conservatory. Marc has also written original music for the show “Moose Mating” which earned him an NAACP Theatre Awards nomination for best music.

Aside from doing musicals, Marc is the artistic director of an improvisational troupe called Room To Improv - an Asian American improv group based in Studio City.

If that’s not enough, Marc also makes time to serve in the Catholic Churches in Southern California. He is the Director of Music, Pianist and Cantor at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Alhambra and a Cantor at St. Francis Church in Burbank.

As for the future, Marc responds, “Sure, I would like to write a Broadway musical and win a Tony award. I have some ideas in mind already, it just needs to stew a little more.” So far, it looks like he’s going in the right musical directions.

PIPPIN

Tim Dang directs this musical in EWP’s unique style, incorporating theatre anime visuals, hip-hop dance influences, and contemporary music arrangements.

Marc’s work as Musical Director involves “magic” in re-orchestrating the music to create hip-hop rhythms with techno backbeat and DJ scratching incorporating strains of harpsichord and samisen. While Marc operates a computer synthesizer to accommodate the new music arrangements, DJ LinoType who mixes music on turntables and guitarist Vince Reyes are there to provide more variations.

PIPPIN is the story of Charlemagne’s eldest son, Pippin who embarks on a journey to find his true calling in life. As he is guided by the Leading Player, Pippin faces the challenges of war, sex, politics, love and family. As Pippin searches for direction in life, he is drawn towards the “Grand Finale” that has promised to wow the audience and earn him an unforgettable place in history.

PIPPIN is currently playing through June 22, 2008 at the David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 North Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The major cross streets are First and Temple Streets. The theatre is approximately 1/2 mile east down First Street from the Music Center.

Regular Tickets $50 - Orchestra, $45 - Balcony. $5 off Students & Seniors Tickets

For more information:
Phone: (213) 625-7000
Email: info@eastwestplayers.org
PIPPIN: http://www.eastwestplayers.org/pippin.htm