The upcoming musical staging of the timeless classic Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag already has literary, cinema, and theater circles agog with anticipation and excitement. And they have reason to be -- because no less than the highly revered, award-winning auteur Director Joel Lamangan will be at the helm of transforming the cultural masterpiece into a brilliant musical stage version that will surely make the hearts of theater audiences swell with glee.
Based on the Edgardo Reyes novel and inspired by the Lino Brocka film adaptation, Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag The Musical is set to make local musical theater history as Lamangan transforms the prose into a two-act, two-hour play soaring with riveting music and exceptionally choreographed dance routines.
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| Director Joel Lamangan |
Among his contemporaries, Lamangan is renowned as the most adept social chronicler, having internationally acclaimed films like “The Flor Contemplacion Story,” “Hubog,” “Bulaklak Ng Maynila”, and others to his credit. All these films mirror some of society’s most chronic ills. Lamangan has vast experience as filmmaker and actor in film, television, and theater.
“Dapat ‘yung mga tauhan ay lumabas na mga tunay na taong may puso, kaluluwa, at damdamin na kumakanta at sumasayaw,” shares Lamangan. “Dapat na maramdaman ng mga manonood na nagkukuwento sila ng ukol sa kanilang mga agam-agam, hinaing, siphayo, at pangarap.”
To realize his vision of a realistic depiction of the great, if doomed, love story of Julio Madiaga and his inamorata Ligaya Paraiso, Lamangan gathered a powerhouse team of artistic masters: Von De Guzman (Composer and Musical Director), Jose Victor Torres and Em Mendez (Libretto), Joey Nombres (Lights Designer), Douglas Nierras (Choreographer), and Jun Flavier Pablo (Production Design). Tapped to line produce the musical play is Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc..
In 2013, Lamangan was named artistic director of Gantimpala Theater Foundation, under which he directed the musical “Katipunan: Mga Anak ng Bayan.” The 40-year-old theater company, founded by the late Philippine theater icon Tony Espejo, has the National Artists Production series which aims to bring closer to theater aficionados the works of National Artists such as Severino Montano, Nick Joaquin, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, and F. Sionil Jose.
A brainchild of Lamangan and Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag The Musical was meant to be the first movie by a National Artist for Film (Lino Brocka) to be part of the National Artists Production series.
According to Lamangan, Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag The Musical is told from the point of view of the novelist. “It features wonderful compositions from Von De Guzman, topnotch dance from Douglas Nierras, three-dimensional characters, heartfelt moments, and stirring scenes meant to enthrall and entertain... In restless times like the one we are living through, this musical play resonates even more. It shows that in the midst of the squalor, despair, and violence, pure love still exists like the one shared by Julio Madiaga and Ligaya Paraiso.”
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| Sheila Valderrama-Martinez, Arman Ferrer, and Lara Maigue playing lead roles |
Giving life to the other important characters in the musical are Floyd Tena (Pol), Noel Rayos (Atong), Rafa Seguion-Reyna and Joseph Puducay (Imo), Aicelle Santos and Rita Daniela (Perla), Jim Pebanco/ Joseph Billezar (Mr. Balajadia), Khalil Kaimo (Gido), Jeffrey Camanag (Omeng), Romcel Binquis (Benny), Randy Rey (Frank), and Dulce and Ima Castro alternating as Mrs. Cruz.
Happening at the KIA Theater in Cubao, Quezon City, Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag The Musical performances are scheduled on September 30 at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm (Gala), October 1 at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm, October 4 at 8:00 pm, October 5 at 8:00 pm, and October 6 at 3:00pm and 8:00 pm.
Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag The Musical is made possible through the support of KIA Theater, Cibo, Epson, Erase Placenta, SvelT’I Health & Beauty Centre, and Mr. Swabergers.
For ticket inquiries, contact Bards Lapid at mobile number 0917-8466704; landlines 897-7142, 890-0853, and 890-6067; or call Ticketnet at 911-5555.