Musikal theater artist Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo returns to directing live shows with Musikal II, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ 53rd anniversary gala on September 10, 8:00 p.m. at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.
Yulo envisioned Musikal II to herald the return of the Filipino musicals, after the two years of the pandemic.
“Every artist has a story to tell on how they survived during the pandemic. As you very well know, it hit our industry the hardest. But a lot of artists found ways to survive,” Yulo said.
“Streaming performances, selling food they baked or cooked themselves, teaching online, and even selling recording devices, ring lights, etc. We artists know how to improvise when pushed into a corner. Musikal II is my return to directing a live show. So I am very excited.”
Musikal II consists of songs from original Filipino musicals from 2015 to 2021.
It will feature songs from Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!, Kanser the Musical, Felix Starro, Ang Larawan, LapuLapu, ang Datu ng Mactan, Guadalupe, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko, F(r)iction, Changing Partners, Ang Huling El Bimbo the Musical, Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical, Dekada ‘70, A Game of Trolls, Mabining Mandirigma A Steampunk Musical, Aurelio Sedisyoso A Rock Sarswela, The Quest for the Adarna, Ding Ang Bato, Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady, Himala, Isang Musikal, and Daluyong ng Diwa.
Stephen Sondheim’s Follies was Yulo’s inspiration for Musikal II.
“The premise of Follies is they all return to a theater that has run its course and is about to be demolished. And as you see them you also see the “ghosts” of their younger selves roaming the theater,” Yulo explained.
“So Musikal II is a reunion in a theater abandoned when the pandemic hit. They reminisce about performances of the past and recreated them using items they find from the shows. Some are seen from the memory of a particular individual and some are re-enacted. So in essence there are realms. Reality and Memory.”
Leading artists from various theater companies will perform in the show. Among them are Bituin Escalante, Bayang Barrios, Arman Ferrer, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Carla Guevara Laforteza, Sandino Martin, Reb Atadero, Delphine Buencamino, Topper Fabregas, Upeng Fernandez, Vic Robinson, Ricci Chan and Juliene Mendoza.
One of the challenges they faced in mounting the show was the availability of material and original cast. “Remember no theater company had really done any shows the last 2 years,” Yulo pointed out.
With Yulo on Musikal II’s creative and production team are Ejay Yatco and Vince De Jesus, musical directors/arrangers, choreographers Daniel Cabrera and PJ Rebullida, Lights Designer John Batalla, Sound Engineer Aji Manalo, Set Designer Ricardo Eric Cruz, Technical Director Dong Calingacion, and Stage Manager Ed Murillo.
According to Yulo, the two new compositions of Vince De Jesus, specially commissioned for Musikal II will highlight the production. Entitled Muling Gisingin and Nandito Pa Rin Ako, these will be performed by the all-star cast.
This event is invitational but certain sections are free and open to the public. Tickets for the public will be released at the CCP Main Ramp two hours before the performance on a first-come, first-served basis.
The show will be live streamed on the CCP Facebook page.
