On its 42
nd
season, Gantimpala Theater Foundation brings back their longest-running
musical, Kanser base on Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere under the direction of
Frannie Zamora.
Noli Me
Tangere is a novel that in history awakens the dying love for the motherland of
Filipinos, who are suffering a lot under a regime from colonizers, it was
orchestrated using the church, a love story, and true revolution that many
people that time is longing to see unfold.
GTF already
master the staging of Kanser, the charm of its music, the humor that millennial
can relate, from deep emotion punch lines, the kissing scene to witty comedic act that
even it’s a period play, you will be eager to follow once scene from another,
truly an edutainment as GTF calls it.
This year’s the latest addition as Don Crisostomo Ibarra is Keil Alo, a promising young singer
who not only sings well but act well on stage too, not to mention this is his
debut in theater, and it happens to be a musical as well.
Alo during
our interview backstage told us that he finds theater acting at first as easy
job, even watching some play in the past he thought that he can equal whatever the role he may have in case he decided to do theater, but that perception change
when he began training and practices for Kanser, his impression made him
realize that theater professional deserves all the respect they can get.
“Hindi
sya madali, it’s a combination of mind, body, heart and voice na kailangan mo
siyang pagsabaysabayin.” Alo said.
Alo admit that after many practices,
internalizations and rigid training for the role, Kanser is a brilliant piece
that all should see and contemplate.
“Totoo
yung sinasabi ni Jose Rizal, which is Ibarra, yung Elias, talagang kanser ang sakit, ang galing dahil
na predict nya, sinulat yun wayback pa, and that’s whats happening now. Malaki
ang obligation ko na artista na gumanap bilang Ibarra, na maging responsible
akong citizen, and maging aware ako sa mga actions ko.” Alo added.
Maria Clara
is Rare Columna, an alumna of Tanghalang Sta.Ana by Lou Veloso is so thankful
in bagging the role that represents Filipina of past and modern times, this is
her first major break as a lead in a musical after doing theater for almost a
year.
“I do my
best sa audition kasi napapanood ko lang to dati at gusto ko talaga sya,
sobrang thankful ako nung sinabi nila na ako ang napili.” Columna said.
Kanser
2019 cast includes Carlo Manalac as Elias, Leo Ponseca as Padre Damaso, Carlo
Mendoza as Padre Salvi, Neil Tolentino as Piliosopong Tasyo, Roni Abario as Don
Tiburcio, Sarah Maniquis as Donya Victoria, Lezlie Dailisan as Don Tiburcio,
Reina Reas as Donya Consolacion, Angelo Moratilla as Tinyente Guevara, Richelle
Anne Joson as Sisa, Jesiela Gripo as Sinang, Juan Miguel Tecson as Basilio,
John Joevhin Pascual as Crispin, and Francis Cruz III as Lucas.
Kanser
2019 playwright is Jomar Flores, Music by Jed Balsamo, Franciz Cruz III is the
Asst. Director, Joseph Matheu as the lights designer, set design by Sonny
Aniceto, Stage Manager Roselle Buenaventura and Choreography by Lezlie
Dailisan.
Kanser
can be watch at AFP Theater of Camp Aguinaldo, for schedules contact Gantimpala
Marketing Office with the following numbers (0921)251.3733 Tel nos.
(02)872-0261.
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