Saturday, February 27, 2021

KTX: Review of Trumpets' FIRST NAME ANEW: Sacred Stories in Songs

February 27, 2021



The original Filipino Christian gospel musical "First Name" was the brainchild of the late theater and concert director Freddie Santos (1956-2020). While Santos wrote all the lyrics, the music for each song was written by acclaimed OPM artists like Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Ray-An Fuentes, Butch Alvarez and Bob Serrano. 

Under the stage direction of Santos himself, it was first staged at the Rizal Theater back in 1988, and was a big success with young theatergoers. It would have subsequent restagings at the Music Museum in 1992, Meralco Theater in 1993. There would be an updated version staged at the SM-Mall of Asia Center Stage in 2007.

"First Name" is acknowledged as the first English-language Gospel musical in the history of Philippine theater. It was in fact the show that eventually led to the formation of Triumphant People's Evangelistic Theater Society (or Trumpets), recognized as the first professional gospel theater group in Asia, in 1990 by founder Audie Gemora.

This year while the live theater circuit still reeled from quarantine restrictions, Trumpets resurrects "First Name" again, this time adapted for an online venue. The format was a series of ten music videos, each crafted with its own unique vision and style, linked together by expository spiels by a narrator (Tippy Dos Santos), who would explain the significance and lessons of the songs and the names of the Bible characters that inspired each song. The segments were written by Luna Grino-Inocian, and directed by Carlo Magdaluyo.

The opening number was "What's in a Name" (G. Valenciano), a song about how our names could define who we are, in a new arrangement by Jungee Mercado. The concept by Mo Zee had the dapper artist Sam Concepcion singing and dancing the bouncy percolating tune in a room with colorful murals and neon lights and backup dancers. At a break, he had a rap duet interlude featuring Samantha Libao

Aicelle Santos followed with the song "Daughter Eve" (G. Valenciano), rearranged by Choi Padilla and John Apura, video with pop-up storybook animation directed by Cathy Asanza-Dy. This was about the first woman's guilt for her disobedience and desire to be reunited with the Father. Aicelle's pained rendition of the sad lyrics brought a tear to her eye, but the song ended with hope as her pregnant belly was revealed. 

"Let Da Rain Pour Down" (R. Fuentes) was re-arranged and performed by gritty indie artist Bullet Dumas in a reggae beat and style, together with Jacques Doufort and Yuna. What made this song even more remarkable was the performance artwork of Isabella L. Gonzales (Kuh Ledesma’s daughter) who was retelling Noah's story via a painting that evolved while Dumas sang, a true visual and aural highlight directed by Paolo Valenciano.

"Psalm 23" (R. Fuentes), about King David, was arranged by Mon Faustino as an R&B ballad sung with smooth dramatic runs by Lance Busa. "More Than His Name" (R. Fuentes) about Simon Peter in the eyes of his wife, was arranged as a piano torch ballad by Rony Fortich, sung with crystal clarity by Shiela Valderrama-Martinez. Both videos were directed by Johann de la Fuente

"To Be Named a Disciple" (F. Santos and B. Alvarez), inspired by acts of the apostles, was arranged by Gio Levy in an upbeat comic style featuring Nanette Inventor as two characters -- one was a nun with fuchsia leggings under her habit, and the other was a rapper in a checkered hooded jacket, in an irreverent video directed by Carlo Orosa

"Woman with No Name" (O. Alcasid), about the woman accused of adultery, was rearranged by Jeff Arcilla to be sung by Tim Pavino in a video that featured Joni Vergara and two male dancers interpreting the disturbing torment of social media bullying. "What's His Name?" (B. Serrano), about the many names by which Jesus Christ was known, was arranged by John Apura and Choi Padilla as a driving rock number interpreted by Jett Pangan. Both videos were directed by Dan Cabrera.

The next song is the one song from this musical that became its most famous hit -- "Could You Be Messiah?" (G. Valenciano). The original singer Gary Valenciano was also the one who rearranged this new version to be sung by powerhouse vocalist Morrissette. The stark black and white video, which had Morrissette plaintively singing the prayerful song on her knees in a big empty room, was directed by Dave Lamar

The final song is the title song "First Name" (B. Serrano), about how Jesus was the first name and the last, was rearranged by Mon Faustino. In the video directed by Mo Zee, Christian Bautista was singing the song alone in a verdant field at sunrise. He would later be joined virtually by a choir of Trumpets singers (Audie Gemora, Sheila Francisco, Mio Infante, Joaquin Valdes, Bituin Escalante, Carla Martinez, Jake Macapagal, etc...) building up to a triumphant anthemic conclusion. 

*****

"First Name Anew" will be available for streaming on KTX for only three days, from February 27 to March 1, 2021. Tickets at P500 each. 


Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Tanghalang Ateneo: Review of PASSWORD: 03d1pu5_R3x: Fathered by Fate

February 18, 2021



For the first offering of their 42nd season with the theme of "Pagbabanyuhay: Mga Bagong Anyo ng Buhay," Tanghalang Ateneo chose to stage a modernized version of a classic Greek tragedy -- "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles. This digital version, with the stylized title of  "PASSWORD: 03d1pu5_R3x," was adapted and directed for an online presentation by Ron Capinding, using the Filipino translation by National Artist Rolando Tinio. 

Several years ago, an old legislator named Laio had been murdered during a pilgrimage, and his murderer is still at large. The Highest Council of the nation has determined that this murder mystery has to be resolved in order for the country to survive an ongoing plague (pandemic?) that was causing an alarming death toll all over the country. The current president Edipo (Yan Yuzon) promised the nation that he would get to the bottom of this cold case, to finally bring the perpetrator to justice, and restore prosperity to the country. 

His Vice President Kreon (Marian Rivera-Dantes) advised Edipo to consult with the correspondent Maria Tiresias (Katski Flores) for further enlightenment. However, the reluctant Tiresias publicly accused Edipo himself of being the curse that befell the country. She further added fuel to the president's anger by saying that Edipo had long unknowingly been living in depravity with his wife Yokasta (Miren Alvarez-Fabregas). His pride and reputation hurt, this led Edipo on an obsessive quest to discover his own origin.

Yan Yuzon possessed the powerful charisma of Edipo, as he underwent an intense development from benevolent leader to disturbed tyrant to tragic figure. Miren Alvarez-Fabregas as Yokasta was cool and confident, but as terrible secrets were being revealed, her assured facade soon broke down. Movie star Marian Rivera-Dantes had an auspicious debut as theater actress as the staunchly-principled Kreon, with her calm demeanor and dignified indignance. In her one riveting scene, Katski Flores as the blind journalist Maria Tiresias (sly name pun obvious) built up the tension which carried through the rest of the play.

In smaller but critical roles, Gabe Mercado (as Lysanias) and Marlon Rivera (as Egeo) held the keys to the central mysteries. Director Ron Capinding, who played Oedipus himself in a previous staging, played the Presidential Spokesman, whose got to relate the grisly events that happened off-camera. The Chorus was composed of student actors (Dani Capinding, Nicole Chua, Miguel Datu, Trixie dela Cruz, Kath Dizon, Shaun Ocrisma, Lars Salamante) who played various side characters like the citizenry, the cabinet ministers and press corps. Their scenes of choral elocution carried a lingering haunting effect. 

When Capinding updated the classic tale to the current times, he was not at all subtle. President Edipo was a mayor from the South before he became president of the country. He continued to enjoy immense popularity and support from his fellow Southerners despite the ongoing problems. His Vice President Kreon was a woman from Nabua (Camarines Sur), whom he later accused of wanting to grab his power. To add a further knowing jab, Edipo's press conferences always started late. 

In online presentations like this, theater elements like dramaturgy (Peter George Mayshle), production design (by Marlon Rivera), lighting design (by D Cortezano), sound design (by John Ago Yam) and original score (by Zak Capinding) now had to work hand in hand with film elements like editing (by Bianca Baltazar), special visual effects (Miggy Arnonobal), color (Clara Lazaro), and sound mixing (also by John Ago Yam). Pure theater actors had to learn to act in front of a camera (giving Marian Rivera a distinct advantage). Since this particular performance is rendered permanent by this digitally-recorded version, the essential aspect of constant newness in every theater performance had essentially been neutered. 

Capinding's modern adaptation made the whole play very clear, engaging and currently relevant. The rich, deep Filipino vocabulary used may sound eloquently poetic to the ears, yet the discontent, defiance and distress they conveyed remained remarkably urgent. The English subtitles by Jopie Sanchez will be very helpful for the occasional archaic words. 

The online Zoom-type platform had its limitations, for sure. But this production proved that, with innovative ideas and passionate actors, a story originally conceived in 429 BC can be made to feel as if it was primetime news today. The suspenseful execution of the final reveal still packed a heavy wallop, whether you knew the twisted story or not. 


*****

** The showdates for "PASSWORD: 03d1pu5_R3x" shall be February 22, 25 and 27, 2021. Tickets will be P150 for general viewing and P250 for general viewing plus a souvenir program (prices inclusive of transaction fee). Tickets can be purchased from Tanghalang Ateneo's ticketing partner Ticket2Me.