October 14, 2024
Jepoy and his washer-woman mother Aling Barang may be very poor, but they managed to lived happily together with their pet dog Galis in their cottage at the edge of a big forest. One day, Galis ran off with a dress Aling Barang was washing, so Jepoy ran after his pet. To his amazement, his dog jumped into a mysterious circular portal floating in mid-air. Jepoy jumped right in with him and they ended up in another dimension called the Underworld.
"Jepoy and the Magic Circle" is the first of two original Filipino musicals Repertory Philippines is staging during this, their current 87th season. The second one is "Going Home to Christmas," featuring the songs of Jose Mari Chan, timed for the holiday season. This continues Rep's initiative to stage original Filipino shows which started with "Miong" and "The Quest for the Adarna" in 2019, only to be interrupted by the pandemic. This new musical is directed by Ms. Joy Virata, the creative director of Repertory Theater for Young Audiences.
Rody Vera adapted the script from the children's book "The Magic Circle" by Gilda Cordero-Fernando, while the original music and lyrics were written by Ejay Yatco. Yatco is on an extraordinary creative roll this year. He was the musical director of Full House's Parokya ni Edgar musical "Buruguduystunstugudunstuy" (while Vera wrote the book). He was the composer of "Pingkian," Tanghalang Pilipino's musical about Emilio Jacinto. This makes "Jepoy" the second totally original full-length musical composed by Yatco in a single year.
The play opened with a short introduction to endangered indigenous fauna, like mouse deer, warty pig, Philippine eagle, tarsier and pawikan. The first half of the play was expository, building up the real world where Jepoy and mother lived and teasing a brief taste of the Under-world on the other side of the portal. However, it was during the second half when the wondrous world of Filipino folklore bloomed in full color right in front of our eyes, featuring the fantastical costume designs of Raven Ong, and cute puppet work of Kayla Teodoro.
As we joined Jepoy as guest of a Tikbalang wedding officiated by the elegant Dona Geronima, we get to meet the Tres Marias -- Maria Makiling, Maria Sinukuan and Maria Cacao, the duwendes in blue and the tiyanak in pink, the two manananggals in flight, the sirena who guides the sailors, and finally, the Kapre. There was also a guy carrying a blind guy, a mute guy and a lame guy on his shoulders (not sure who he was). Like Galis, there were other talking animals in attendance, like Cat, Frog, Monkey and Cockroach.
In the show I watched, Jepoy was played by Elian Dominguez in his first lead role in a major musical production. His Jepoy was full of energy, with a slight rascally vibe, which was a nice comic touch. His singing voice had a wide range, so he should have a promising career in musical theater ahead of him. As he is an environmental scientist by profession, he got his wish to merge his two interests with this play. (Alternating as Jepoy are theater veteran at age 20 Noel Comia, Jr. and former "Batang Rizal" Yhuan Gatbunton.)
Aling Barang was played by Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, as bubbly as ever. (Ring Antonio alternates as Aling Barang.) Host Paqui was played by Luis Marcelo, who should be more careful with his intro spiels for the kids. He mis-defined the word "nocturnal" in the show I watched. (Joshua Cabiladas, Franco Ramos and Stephen Vinas alternate as Paqui.) Dona Etang and Dona Geronima were played by Pinky Marquez, her soprano as solid as ever. (Abi Sulit alternates as the Donas.) Real-world Galis was played by Francis Gatmaytan (Czar Decena as alternate), while Under-world Galis was played by Cara Barredo.
A featured character that deserves special mention is that the Kapre, portrayed by Hans Ekstein in the matinee show I watched. You barely see the actor at all, as he had dark green face make-up on and a full-body costume of green leaves. He had to carry the giant's head and torso (with a moving mouth and arms!) above him, while wearing elevated clogs on his feet. The actor had to rely on his deep resounding voice to act and convey the Kapre's sad plight, and Eckstein delivered. (Juliene Mendoza and Joey G. Vargas alternate as Kapre.)
In the show I watched, the Tres Marias were played by Jay Barrameda, Barbara Jance, Paula Paguio (Mica Fajardo alternates). The ensemble included Lance Soliman, Ayla Garcia, Nyla Festejo, Francesca Mata, Alyanna Wijangco, Ayam Eckstein, Cheska Quimno, Chan Rabutazo, Franco Ramos, JV Fulgencio, Kenny Isidoro, Pablo Palacpac, Broey Divinagracia, Sebastian Katigbak, and Dindo Divinagracia. (Sean Nicolas, Monica Tulio, Chesko Rodriguez, Ado Villanueva, Deo Dela Cruz, VJ Cortel, Jay Pangilinan, Jae Valencia, Gabo Tiongson, Ian Hermogenes, Bea Remollo, Katie Bradshaw, Jacqui Jacinto, Meg Salud, Jalea Cabiladas, and Daniella Albano alternate in the Ensemble).
For the rest of the artistic team: Cara Barredo was the assistant director. Stephen Vinas and Francis Gatmaytan did the choreography. Mio Infante designed the set. John Batalla designed the lights. GA Fallarme and JM Jimenez designed the projections. Johann dela Fuente designed the hair and makeup.
Parental guidance is needed so the kids can get the messages of this show straight. Traditional Filipino dark monsters were portrayed here as colorful friends. Their continued "existence" remains valuable only for our heritage and cultural identity as Filipinos, certainly not as fact. Discrimination against those regarded by society as different is correct. However, calling everyone "all a little weird" (and having Jepoy proudly declare himself as a "weirdo" as the final line) can be confusing for kids and should be explained to them properly.
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"Jepoy and the Magic Circle" is Rep's first play staged in their new home in the fourth floor of the Eastwood City Walk. Tickets are available at Ticketworld. For ticket reservations, send a message at: 09626918540 & 09669054013. Orchestra Center and Loge seats go for P1500 each, while Orchestra Side seats cost P1000 each.
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