TWO YEARS ago, playwright and director Anton M. Juan, Jr. suggested to MusicArtes, Inc. to stage Godspell. Thinking it was still relevant to the times -- any time, for that matter -- he pushed for the musical to happen.
Now Godspell is set to open in Manila in June.
The musical -- by Stephen Schwartz with a book by John-Michael Tebelak -- is a mostly lighthearted retelling of the story of Jesus and his disciples, starting with the apostles' recruitment, followed by a series of parables that lay out the teachings of Jesus (mostly based on the Gospel of Matthew with some from the Gospel of Luke), and ending with the passion of Christ.
"With what has [been] happening to the world for the past two years, there had been a lot of ruptures and schisms, very important historical developments that are somehow escalations of the wars that had happened in the 20th century... I thought that for Godspell to come again to remind us that there is also peace, a vision of man -- because God [Jesus] was half-man -- and his aspirations," Mr. Juan said. "Of course, for those who are indifferent, a reminder that these things are happening."
He chose Godspell because whenever he chooses a play, or any work of art, the context should always be taken into consideration, he said.
"There is also a history of the world informing those eternal parables. They are timeless and applicable at any age. It's Jesus Christ's parables resonating [today], and it's just frightening, actually," Mr. Juan said of the musical.
Mr. Juan's version is something that would be relevant to the Filipinos. "There is no contest of historicity, no global issues... Filipinos are so exposed to pain, coming from history. We survive day by day, [and] the closer we are to understanding what patience and piety is," he said.
MODERNIZING THE MUSIC
Godspell, the first major musical theater offering from three-time Grammy and Academy award winner Stephen Schwartz (the man behind Wicked, Pippin, and The Baker's Wife), has been staged in different countries in different variations since 1971.
But aside from an International School production in the Folk Arts Theater in the 1980s, the musical has not been performed by a major theater company in the metro. What local theater audiences are more familiar with is the movie version, released in 1973, which is available on DVD. Set in New York City, the movie stars Victor Garber (Alias, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow) as Jesus and David Haskell as John the Baptist/Judas. Still, many people are familiar with its songs like "Day by Day," "Light Of The World," "All Good Gifts," and "Prepare Ye The Way."
Mr. Juan said he asked musical director Ejay A. Yatco to modernize the tempo and arrangements. The original musical uses a variety of musical styles to tell the story -- pop, folk rock, gospel, and vaudeville.
"It's a fresh new take from the previous ones, as it is completely modernized, with heavy rock quite similar to [Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's] Jesus Christ Superstar. You'll be hearing cell phone ringtones, too," Mr. Yatco said.
There will be 18 songs in all, with two solos, and Mr. Yatco noted that the overall interpretation would be darker and angstier than the other versions of Godspell.
© Copyright 2016, BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation REHEARSING for Godspell -- FACEBOOK RIA PANGILINAN
Godspell is MusicArtes' first Broadway musical -- most of its large productions have been operas like La Boheme and Madame Butterfly, and concerts like Best of Opera and Opera Rocks!. Jay V. Glorioso, its president, said that one purpose for the Godspell staging is to reach out to different faiths of the Filipinos.
"We are seeking the support of the Christian groups, and so far, there's one showbuyer. They were so excited about Godspell," she said. "When we offered this idea, they quickly latched onto it because it's very rare to have something like this. It will help them build a Church. They have a project of building a church."
POWERHOUSE CAST
With less than three weeks before the show opens, the cast was busy rehearsing a scene at the Mirror Studio Theater in Makati, belting out "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord My Soul)" when BusinessWorld visited.
The powerhouse cast, led by theater stalwart Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, also includes Jef Yulo (as Jesus), OJ Mariano (John the Baptist/Judas), Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Caisa Borromeo, Poppert Bernadas, Topper Fabregas, Red Concepcion, Stephen Viñas, Abi Sulit, Maronne Cruz, Rhenz Gabalonzo, and Gab Pangilinan.
"Menchu, especially, I've been wanting her to be a part of this and it's a good thing she's there because she has become a rallying point for others as well," the director said.
Doing the musical, he said, has made him understand more of the theatrological values of the meaning of the word "Savior."
"The bible is one of the most imagistic books of all time. It's also one of the books, for me, that when I read, it tells me what to do. It makes us think," he said.
As what to expect from the show, Mr. Juan said: "You will pray at the end, and you will be reminded of the act and what to pray for."
Godspell will have performances from June 17 to 19 and June 24 to 26, 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Tickets are available at TicketWorld. For details visit www.ticketworld.com.ph[1], call 891-9999, or e-mail musicartes.manila@gmail.com[2]. -- Camille Anne M. Arcilla
References
- ^ www.ticketworld.com.ph (www.ticketworld.com.ph)
- ^ musicartes.manila@gmail.com (www.msn.com)