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A YOUNG
but well-respected theater critic once declared, “When
Filipinos caress their cocks, the world watches in awe.”
The
low-profile drama reviewer was referring to Something
to Crow About, the award-winning modern zarzuela in
English written by National Artist for Literature
Alejandro Roces Jr. and directed by Presidential
Assistant on Culture and National Commission for Culture
and the Arts executive director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez.
The
young critic also emphasized, “Let the Filipino cock be
the center of the universe.”
LEISL BATUCAN plays
Luningning, the ladylove of Leonardo.
TV host
Boy Abunda was very much amused by those phrases, he
kept on repeating them—at one point, exclaiming
something like “I love the idea”—when he interviewed Dr.
Roces and Dr. Guidote-Alvarez in his show Private
Conversations on ANC not so long ago.
Like a
prophecy, this modern zarzuela in English is on its way
to La Mama Theater in New York City and the West Coast
for a series of performances.
Something to Crow About
goes off-Broadway this June in time for the Philippine
Independence and Rizal Day celebrations. Based on the
award-winning book of the same title by Dr. Roces, the
musical is about the Pinoy’s phenomenal fascination with
game cocks, filled with his inimitable humor. Prior to
its off-Broadway staging, the modern zarzuela was
applauded by 80 countries in its world premiere at the
31st Unesco ITI World Congress-Theater Olympics of the
Nations in May 2006.
Unesco
Secretary-General Koichiro Matsuura hailed it for the
“admirable direction” and its relevance to cultural
diversity in mobilizing the UN Millennium Development
Goals. The same year, it bagged two Aliw awards for Best
Musical and Best Musical Direction for Dr. Roces and Dr.
Guidote-Alvarez, respectively. US theater doyenne Ellen
Stewart, producing director and founder of La Mama
Theater, has invited the zarzuela to perform from June
21 to 24. All shows start at 7:30 pm, at 67 East 4
Street, New York.
From
there, the modern zarzuela is scheduled in Los Angeles
on June 28, coordinated through Susan Dilkes of the
Filipino American Service Group Inc.; producer and
founder Ted Benito of TDRZ Production Inc.; and Zen
Lopez, the first Filipina-American to be appointed arts
and culture commissioner in the City of Glendale.
JOEL TRINIDAD essays the
role of Leonardo, the lovestruck writer and younger
brother to Kiko, the brave cocker.
The
farewell performance is on July 1 in San Francisco,
through the leadership of Helen Moreno, Kaisahan of the
San Jose Dance Company and Raphael Hermoso. Performers
in the Tri-State areas are endorsed by the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DOF) through the Office of American
Affairs, headed by Assistant Secretary Rey Carandang,
under executive director Leoncio Cardenas, with the
support of the Philippine Consulates, through consul
generals Cecilia B. Rebong in New York, Mary Jo. B.
Aragon in Los Angeles, Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, and
culture, community relations and public information
officer Francesca Regala in San Francisco. The modern zarzuela is a coproduction of the UST
Conservatory of Music headed by Dean Raul Sunico, and
Unesco Philippines ITI, chaired by Dr. Roces with the
Earthsavers Movement, chaired by Secretary Heherson T.
Alvarez.
Composed
of about 50 persons from Metro Manila, on- and offstage,
the modern zarzuela includes Ferdinand Dimadura, music
composition; Herminigildo G. Ranera, orchestra
conductor; Nonoy Diestro, orchestration; Eugene de los
Santos, choral master; Ma. Ana Independencia E. Gay,
pianist; Gigi Velarde-David, choreography; and Bong
Embile, production manager. The lead characters are
played by the real-life husband-and-wife tandem of tenor
Lionel Guico and soprano Cynthia. Lionel plays the
habitual cocker always hounded by his wife.
The
featured roles are essayed by Repertory Philippines
stalwarts Joel Trinidad and Liesl Batucan as lovers
against the world. President of McDonald’s Philippines
George Yang sings a cameo role as the Supreme Court
chief justice, while veteran actor-singer Bernardo
Bernardo essays the Justice of the Peace role.
The rest
of the performers are Manrico A. Embele, who also
doubles as production manager; Bobby A. Superales,
Rammel del Castillo Maglonzo, Armel de Guzman, Angelbert
M. Cruz, Marlon L. Buit, Edna S. Sanchez, Danilo
Nicodemus Jr. C. Pahati, Idralyn M. Inda, Mylene B.
Ontulan, Thea T. Perez, Ma. Austregelina E. Alfornon,
Ronan H. Ferrer, Hazel E. Ceguera, Charisma C. Castro,
Lovelle A. Inoferio, Mary Ann B. Santiago, Michelle Ann
L. Bautista, Jose Juan D. Reyes, Israel L. Comandante,
Jose Exequiel III F. Vale, Karl Angelo B. Tangco and
Mary Grace D. Alvarez.
The
production staff members are Susan Claudio, Los Angeles
liaison officer and documentation; poet-playwright Frank
Rivera, assistant director; Len Santos, production
designer; Christie G. Nombres, technical director; Glenn
N. Francisco, stage manager; Mybel Lynne S. Quito,
assistant stage manager; Maria Teresa A. Santos and Ma.
Divina Kenneth F. Cavestany, costume mistresses; and
gay-rights advocate and TV director George Vail
Kabristante as community relations officer.
The
modern zarzuela is being supported by the DFA through
its consulates in New York and the West Coast, Supreme
Master Ching Hai International Foundation, GSIS, Pagcor,
Academe Publishing House, Asian Cultural Council, NCCA,
DOT, McDonald’s Philippines, Baklad-Cardona, Rizal, and
the Philippine Sports Commission.
In his
review, Fr. James B. Reuter wrote: “All the cast members
had beautiful voices, and the dancing and acting was
cutting-edge. It was reminiscent of Cats on Broadway.”
For
inquiries: 0920-9010969. |
