random musings of a romance author
Curtains have opened once again for one of my favorite Filipino musicals, Mula sa Buwan, and I AM ECSTATIC! I always thought it was a shame the runs for this show were extremely short, so I’m really happy they’re producing a total of sixteen shows now (well, down to twelve now, because they’ve already opened last Friday). I caught yesterday’s 3PM show, and here’s a list of notable things I loved in this rerun:
#BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy is the official hashtag for an online campaign spearheaded by author Edgar Calabia Samar (Janus Silang), who objective was to promote Filipino-authored pieces of literature. This happens in the month of August, which is also Buwan ng Wika or National Language Month. I was made aware of this campaign last year, and since then, I’ve been making a conscious effort to consume as many Filipino-authored books, movies, songs, and musicals/plays. If you’re looking for a #BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy-related media, here are some suggestions:
As Rak of Aegis enjoyed a couple of successful runs, Sa Wakas returned with a vengeance and Ako si Josephine had its initial run. It kept me wondering how much longer I had to wait till someone picked up The Eraserheads’ rich discography and turned it into a blockbuster of a musical.
Not for long, said the universe.
Because in January 2018, posters asking “Kamukha mo ba si Paraluman?” and “Magaling ka bang sumayaw, mapa-boogie man o cha-cha?” (with a font and color scheme mimicking The Eraserheads’ first album cover) littered my Facebook feed, and in millennial-speak, FAM, I WAS SHOOKETH. I messaged my theatre-going buddies and in a few minutes decided we would buy tickets immediately when they started selling. (We did wait a few weeks in reality, because funds. Tickets at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater ain’t cheap, fam.)
And finally — last night, my high school barkada and I went on a trip down memory lane, together with Hector, Emman, Anthony, and Joy. And the music that was the soundtrack to many of our high school ups and downs.
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Making up for the lack of updates with this performance of Waving Through a Window by Ben Platt. It’s a song from my newest musical obsession, Dear Evan Hansen. <3
SA WAKAS! ^_^
Sa Wakas–yes, that 2013 Sugarfree musical you missed (oh, was it just me? okay.)–is back to mess with our feelings and break our hearts one more time this 2017! Excited yet? I know I am. In fact, I am SO excited I already have tickets to two shows. Heh.
Sa Wakas is a critically acclaimed, homegrown musical based on the songs of one of the country’s most beloved rock bands, Sugarfree. Co-written by Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan and Mariane Abuan, with the music beautifully arranged by Ejay Yatco, Sa Wakas was one of the first to bring together the world of pop rock and theater in one
groundbreaking musical. The show is created and produced by Charissa Pammit and is presented with the Manila Fringe Festival. Lighting design will be done by Miguel Panganiban, while Julian Vincent Cayabyab will design the set.
Click on the Continue Reading button to learn more about this upcoming show!
Yep, you guessed it. This post clearly has no other intent but to display the fine, glorious image of Aaron Tveit as Danny Zuko. He’s set to play the part in the remake to be aired on FOX in January 2016, and I guess it goes without saying that I’m gonna be looking forward to the leather jackets and the hip thrusting that’s about to go down.
Merely thinking about it makes me dizzy. I don’t know how I’ll fare in a month. #SendHelp
Anyway, here’s a first look at GREASE: Live!
And then, there’s this:
GDI Aaron–let a girl live, won’t you?
Saturday night proved to be a fun night for my sister and I, along with some friends from high school and my previous job, as we all trooped to PETA Theater to be part of Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady‘s opening weekend. Since we have been re-introduced to the world of original Filipino musicals by way of Maxie: The Musicale in 2013, we have always looked forward to new productions and tried our very best to set some time and money aside for a dose (or twelve) of theater culture. For this year, this is the second original Filipino musical I’ve seen, the first being Ballet Philippines’ Manhid: The Pinoy Superhero Musical, which was staged at the CCP Main Theatre from February to March.
And now we have been treated to a second superhero musical, and oh, how I loved it.