In line with national hero Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday, Noli Me Tangere: The Musical is being staged by Tanghalang Pilipino to mark the theatre company’s silver anniversary.
I was invited to see the gala performance and witnessed the opening of the accompanying exhibit at the CCP lobby which displayed intricately made Filipiniana dresses loaned from Slims Fashion and Art School and the Metropolitan Museum Manila, and pieces inspired by Rizal’s works by renowned jeweler Hans Brumann (the jeweleries are for sale and some items will be auctioned for the benefit of Tanghalang Pilipino).
Leads for Noli Me Tangere: The Musical are Cris Villonco as Maria Clara, and Mark Bautista and Gian Magdangal as Crisostomo Ibarra. "Kuya" Bodjie Pascua (of the original children’s TV show Batibot) takes a turn as the evil Padre Damaso and Tanghalang Pilipino's ensemble of talented stage actors fill out Rizal's enduring portrayal of the Philippines under colonial rule: Al Gatmaitan as the scheming Padre Salvi (who shall be seen next in Ang Bagong Harana); Garry Lim at Tad Tadioan alternates as Don Tiburicio; Ring Antonio as Donya Victorina; Jerald Napoles and Riki Benedicto alternates as Elias; Red Nuestro as Kapitan Tiago; Jenny Villegas as Tia Isabel (whom I didn’t recognized as she looked so feminine and beautiful here as opposed to her role as the lesbian lawyer Joanne Jefferson in RENT); Angeli Bayani as Sisa; and Paolo Rodriguez as Leproso.
I am not an expert reviewer of plays and what I am sharing here are my personal observations based on other plays I have watched before. I would like to commend Cris Villonco who tackled the role of the heart broken Maria Clara with more maturity than her past roles in other productions. No questions on her vocal prowess here but I am in awe because she was able to sing her songs clearly, hitting even the high notes perfectly, despite the fact that she is required to cry in the scenes at the same time. Gian Magdangal, on the other hand, had such a strong presence that when he first stepped out on stage, someone in the audience muttered, “Ang gwapo naman ni Ibarra.” I couldn’t help but smile and agree with her. Gian attacked the role with intensity I have not seen before, having watched him previously in RENT and KAOS. This is the first time I have seen both Cris and Gian in a straight Filipino play and both did so well in the delivery of their dialogues and songs.
I learned that this is Mark Bautista’s first foray into theatre and I would’ve wanted to see him portray Ibarra. Maybe I’ll just catch him on his next production.
Like the rest of the local theatre companies, preparations for this landmark production was not without struggles but having watched the gala performance, those struggles were not evident as Tanghalang Pilipino’s passion for the stage showed in their performance. The critically acclaimed musical, adapted for the stage by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and composer Ryan Cayabyab from Rizal’s most famous work, offered songs with beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics that clearly told the story and depicted a range of emotions --from vibrant celebrations to tension-filled fights to feelings of betrayal and heart-wrenching cries of a love forlorn. Under the direction of theatre veteran Audie Gemora, the actors portrayed their roles with soul, had good blockings and use of the simple stage. Choreography by Agnes Locsin showed synchronized movements and graceful dances. To realistically show how people in Rizal’s era dressed, the actors were all beautifully garbed in period Filipiniana costumes designed by National Artist Salvador Bernal.
Noli Me Tangere: The Musical will run until August 28 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Contact Tanghalang Pilipino at 8323661 for ticket reservation.
Interested sponsors, show buyers, and block buyers for the next shows of Tanghalang Pilipino may call 8321125 local 1620 for more details and look for Ms Yanna Acosta or Ms Lorelei Celestino.
For more information visit http://tanghalangpilipino.org.ph.
Cast photos from Tanghalang Pilipino
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