Gabriel and Justine Return for "South Pacific" – as a Married Couple!
Thursday, September 19, 2019
On May 18, 2018, after the final curtain of Oklahoma! – Gabriel Manro, who played “Curly McLain,” thrilled a surprised audience when he proposed to his girlfriend Justine Prado. The two met a few years earlier in an OperaSLO production and were working together on Oklahoma!
After the curtain call, Gabriel Manro brought Justine, the assistant stage manager, to the front of the stage. After a bit of a nervous buildup, he got down on one knee and popped the question, to the delight of the crowd and cast, most of whom were not aware of the actor's plans.
"Please, ma'm, will you do the honor of marrying me?" Gabriel said, as he placed a ring on her finger. Everyone cheered as Justine agreed with a big smile.
After a dramatic and passionate kiss, Gabriel lifted his fiancé and twirled around the stage.
Gabriel grew up in Templeton and is a 1991 graduate of Atascadero High School. He is a two-time Grammy winner and currently sings with LA Opera.
“In high school, I was selected for the California All-State Honor Choir and found myself performing great choral works like Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms with full orchestra. It was an experience I'll never forget,” said Gabriel. “At this same time, there was a dramatic shift taking place in the musical theater world toward a much more operatic form and style, with works like Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. I knew at that time that I wanted to sing on the musical stage.”
Gabriel has performed with groups across the United States and Europe, appearing in roles ranging from President Abraham Lincoln in Golden Gate Opera's premiere production of Lincoln and Booth to villainous vizier Jafar in Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disney's California Adventure theme park.
Gabriel and Justine return together for OperaSLO’s grand production of the musical South Pacific on October 12 and 13, 2019, 2 pm, at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo. Gabriel portrays the lead “Emile” and Justine is the stage manager.
"He's a wonderful artist. He's very expressive. He's very original," said Alhadeff, who’s since brought Manro back for a few gala fundraisers.
South Pacific also includes Skye Privat, a recent graduate from Pacific Conservatory Theater (PCPA) as “Nellie,” Dori Duke plays the sassy merchant role of “Bloody Mary,” William DuFuria delivers comic relief as “Luther Billis”, and Gregory Gorrindo, is “L.T. Joseph Cable.”
“This piece of theatrical history is full of truths of the time, classic music, and joyous occasion. Finding the truth in this story’s reality, alongside the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein can create an experience everyone can connect to.”, says Director, Zach Johnson, who has been directing, choreographing, and performing throughout SLO county for the last 12 years.
This grand production of South Pacific features amazing dancing, expansive sets, vivid costumes, all accompanied by the OperaSLO Grand Orchestra. The production is choreographed by Drew Silvaggio, with costumes by Barbara Harvey Abbott, and musically directed and conducted by Brian Asher Alhadeff.
Tickets are $29 - $80 and available at pacslo.org or call (805) 756-4849, Monday – Saturday, 12 - 6pm.