Bie still hasn't given our regards to Broadway
We haven't heard much in the past year about the Thai musical that's supposed to have made a splash on Broadway by now, but it's been running into understandable difficulties.
Director Takonkiet Viravan and his favourite actor, Sukrit “Bie” Wisetkaew, have been working hard to make the ambitious project happen and land “Khang Lang Phaab” (“Behind the Painting”) on the Great White Way. But it’s not easy “getting a visa” to Broadway, least of all for Thais, who aren’t exactly famous for grand theatre. When people sing that song, “If I can make it here, I’ll make it anywhere”, they mean it’s tough to get a job in Manhattan!
Bie, who’s lined up for the lead role, was in the US in March for a “lab presentation” and plans to return at the end of this month for about a week to study the considerably revamped script. He wants to make sure the story remains faithful to his character and make further alterations if necessary.
Then it’s back to Thailand to continue his tutelage in English and acting while waiting for production to begin. “I think I’m ready,” Bie said when asked how confident he is about the show, “but since I still have time I’ll keep improving myself.” He says the musical will first tour smaller cities in the States to get audience feedback, the usual procedure for a play bound for Broadway.
Between that and his work in Thailand, Bie is pretty busy – so busy that he’s rarely seen these days with actress Manachanok “Mo” Sangchaiphiangphen, his alleged “more-than-a-friend”. He blames his hectic schedule, but he’s never acknowledged they even have a relationship anyway, even when the paparazzi come up with cute pictures of their couplings. “We try to find time to meet,” Bie says. “She isn’t upset since we’re just friends. If we’re free, we can meet!”
Regardless, he has a rule: He doesn’t plan to go public about any romantic relationships until he turns 33. He’ll be 29 on September 4, so we’ve got a long wait ahead. Meanwhile maybe he can get on with that musical.
Madiew gets his freak back on
Having stuck to making heart-tugging family dramas over the past few years, “Love of Siam” director Chookiat “Madiew” Sakveerakul makes a return to his roots with his next film, “The Eyes Diary”. It’s a horror film, and, if you’ll recall, his first movie was a scary one too – “Pisaj” (“Evil”) – 10 years ago.
“Eyes” should be one to watch, because Madiew’s films routinely draw award nominations, not least for his agile directing. He can take a youthful, inexperienced cast and turn them into a professional ensemble, with his rookies earning awards and nominations.
For “The Eyes Diary”, Madiew is sticking to that successful formula, casting young, up-and-coming actors.
Porama Imanothai already won a best-supporting-actor prize for his role in Tanwarin Sukkhapisit’s “It Gets Better”. Focus Jeerakul from “Fan Chan” was nominated for best actress in Songyos Sukmakanan’s “Pid Term Yai Huajai Wawun” (“Hormones”). And Chonnikarn Netrjui was best supporting actress for “Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy”. Madiew has also lined up one of the upstarts from last year’s teen drama “Grean Fictions” – best-supporting-actor nominee Kittisak Patomburana.
“The Eyes Diary” – slated for spooky release on Halloween – is about a bunch of young folks enduring various romantic problems who will do anything they can to find an actual ghost.
