There are only quite few premier theater production
companies in the Philippines consistently displaying the best plays and
musicals from both Broadway and West End. My theatrical experiences both as
patron and press has always been amazement and astonishment with 9 Works
Theatrical. Their latest theater installment on its ninth year, Eto Na! Musikal
nAPO! was making headlines when they transformed and transcended the classic
repertoire of APO for the millenials to recognize and for the oldies to
reminisce, what really take shape and take place during the '70s?
Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! is a brand new original Filipino
musical production of 9 Works Theatrical, the theater for all season and Globe
Live, the company's original production arm known for providing Filipino access
through world-class entertainment, co-presented by FOXlife and FRONTROW, with
music by Danny Javier, Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo, musical arrangements
and orchestrations by Daniel Bartolome and Orly dela Cruz.
With book by Robbie Guevara and story by Jonjon Martin and
Robbie Guevara, Eto Na! Musikal nAPO, is a musical with moving and mesmerizing
songs, narrative and interpretative scenes that pierce through the heart and
mind. A great courage and challenge in imagining scenes during Martial Law
period and interpreting songs from APO, played an integral part to achieve
historical and factual depiction on this two-act musical. Guevara and Martin
made a symbiotic relationship, a perfect tandem to be watched on the next
production. Daniel Bartoleme and Orly Dela Cruz and the rest of 9 Works
Philharmonic Orchestra simply called as 9PO, deserve recognition for new
arrangements and orchestrations of the classic signature hits with different
twist and turn, leaving not only realization but combination and conclusion at
its finest.
The minimal and experimental set and the two structural and
symbolical prosceniums, designed and framed as tormentor and teaser as stage
opening became a statement of the show and testament of the flow. Not only that
9 Works Theatrical is the theater for all season, it has always been a
trademark as soon as you enter the theater, you will be greeted by splendidly
stunning set by Joey Mendoza.
Director Robbie Guevara made an impressive and
expressive dramatic interpretation and motivation, the mother and son scene in
"Batang Bata Ka Pa" was superbly satisfying and the scene in
"Pag-ibig" was heavily gratifying. His direction has always been
effective from verbal versus nonverbal, comparison and contrast to even
flashback and foreshadow stage business.
Eventhough I anticipated "Saan Na Nga Ba?" will be
at the finale, how they ended the show made it lovelier, not the usual scene
you expect. The star of the show is Jobim Javier, radio DJ for Jam 88.3 and the
son of Danny Javier. He played Butch opposite with Sab Jose who played
Michelle. His first musical and he made a mark with his tiring and exhilarating
performance. Very impressive as a first timer onstage. What a great leap from
Jon Philippe Go from his previous act. He is perfect for the role as Ray and I
don't see any other actor from the company who can interpret and portray his
character. Raul Montesa, his character as Mon stole the show, I hate him and I
love him at the same time. All actors from this musical has its own way of
interpreting and impersonating multiple characters, whatever and whoever it is,
those lines, songs and scenes undeniably became instrumental and monumental for
staging a class act.
This musical is a revelation to millenials in terms of values
and cultures and a recollection to oldies in terms of memories and histories. A
walastik musical that brings you back and sings you back. Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!
runs at Maybank Performing Arts Theater, Bonifacio Global City, on August 3-5,
10-12, 17-19 & 24-26, 2018, up to Sept 2 at 8:00pm on Fridays, Saturdays
& Sundays, and 3:00pm on Saturdays & Sundays. For tickets, call
Ticketworld at 891-9999. A limited number of performances are available for
fundraising and block buying. Please contact 586.7105 • 0917.554.5560 •
info@9workstheatrical.com.
Text and Photos by Gilbert Kim Sancha.
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