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By Joey B. Ting, Contributor
Christmas is almost around the corner and every
kid is looking forward to experience, explore and peek what’s in
store for them with left and right events seen in malls or aired on
television catered primarily for the season.
In theater, two professional companies—the
Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Repertory
Philippines—have already presented in theirs.
PETA’s Lola Basyang, written by Ateneo
educator and playwright Christine Bellen, re-defines children’s
tales. It derives from Severino Reyes’ folkloric classic Mga
Kuwento ni Lola Basyang and adds the modern-day setting. Reyes’
classics date back was first published on May 1925 through Liwayway
Magazine and has since been interpreted in radio drama, book and
film.
The PETA production was masterfully handled by
theater and television director Phil Noble with Noel Cabangon as
musical director, Dudz Teraña as choreographer, Mel Bernardo as set
designer, Ron Ryan Alfonso as costume designer and Roman Cruz as
lights designer. Bernah Bernardo as Lola Basyang leads the cast
playing multiple roles for the three plays. These include Joan
Bugcat, Lotlot Bustamante, Wylie Casero, Abner Delina, Meann
Espinosa, Carl Guevarra, Carlon Matobato, Cindy Mayo, John Moran,
Kitsie Pagaspas, Ian Segarra and Neomi Tabanao-Gonzales.
Bernardo gave an incontestable fine performance.
Her stereotypical acting style describes the kind of approach needed
in a children’s piece. She interacts and plays with the audience.
However, some kids begin to loose concentration at some point
because of its lengthy and talkative scenes. Director Noble should
have edited some and tightened-up the pacing of the production.
Besides Bernardo’s performance, Joan Bugcat, Wylie Casero, Meann
Espinosa, Abner Delina, Carlon Matobato and Carl Guevarra
meritoriously contributed and must be credited for their exact comic
timing and rhythm. Among the theater elements, most note-worthy are
the set (Bernardo) and the costumes (Alfonso). The Lego-like
structure is yet the best symbolical figure in this production.
Junior hero
PETA’s Batang Rizal, another separate-produced
children’s musical, examines National Hero Jose Rizal’s travails
as a kid. Rizal is seen as Pepe, a nickname he carried when he was
still a child. Paralleling him in modern times is Pepito, an honor
student in Rizal Elementary School. The fantasy starts not until
Pepito accidentally breaks the statue of Rizal donated for the
school by Mayor Rapcu, the political leader of their community.
Christine Bellen also wrote this engaging piece
about love, patriotism and honor staged in a musical format. Dudz
Teraña directed the production along with Vincent de Jesus as
lyricist, composer, musical director, Mel Bernardo as set designer,
Ian Torqueza as lights designer, Ron Ryan Alfonso as costume
designer and Don Salubayba with the Anino Shadow Play Collective for
animation. Abner Delina (Pepe) and Carl Guevarra (Pepito), two of
the promising young actors of today head the notable performances of
Joan Co (Mrs.Tangolang / Doña Lolay), Ian Segarra (Raffy), Kitchie
Pagaspas (Chiqui), Carlon Matobato (Manuel), Ronna Guba (Bambam),
Meann Espinosa (Kaye) and Wylie Casero (Mayor Rapcu). Surprisingly,
the “pencil and paper” set design did not match to the level of
elegance presented in Lola Basyang’s set design concept but can be
appreciated by the kids definitely. Teraña‘s direction and his
experience in choreographic movements surely created an impact not
only for kids but to adults as well. Maribel Legarda, artistic
director of PETA, heads the two memorable productions and must have
been proud of the two PETA products.
Beyond Disney
Finally, Repertory Philippines’ production
Mulan is truly a visual spectacle and an enjoyable gathering up of
kids and adults. This enchanting Philippine version excites not only
the audience members but as well as the theater artists in the
country. Theater director Joy Virata, also the artistic director of
the Rep Children’s Theater, unifies magnificently all the elements
together. The artistic production team includes choreographer Denisa
Reyes, production designer Niki de los Reyes-Torres, lights designer
Martin Esteva, scenic artist Adul Lasin, assistant stage director
Naths Everett and technical director Dodo Lim. Cara Barredo plays
Mulan with Felix Rivera (Shang) and Rem Zamora (Mushu). Barredo’s
potentiality adds flavor to the interpretation while Rivera sings
with full energy and power. Zamora also did best as one of the
supposedly gods but was punished and became a dragon, Mulan’s
sidekick.
The strongest combinations did transpire in two
selected scenes such as the avalanche (huge falling draperies) and
the “gods” scene (tall moving boxes with “black” lighting
effects). Esteva’s success in lighting design defines both trick
and magic. De los Reyes-Torres’ design for set and costumes
creates colorful and functional mechanisms except for Mushu’s (the
dragon) hollywood-ized costume. Virata’s decision to engage
audience members with the actors as each one of them breaks the
“fourth wall” and talks directly to kids and even invited them
on stage to teach Mulan how to fight is an apt requirement for the
staging.
Parents, do entice your kids to watch
children’s theater this holiday season.
The Repertory Philippines’ theater venue is at
Greenbelt 1 Onstage, 2nd floor. The Philippine Educational Theater
Center is located at No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. For
details, visit www.petatheater.com and visit
www.repertory-philippines.com.
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