Updated GODSPELL Plays In Manila, 6/17-26

By Jared Echevarria

Manila, Philippines--With familiar tunes such as "Day by Day" and "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord," the beloved Broadway musical "GODSPELL, which MusicArtes Inc. is staging on the weekends from June 17 to June 26 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati City, is not to be missed. Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak, GODSPELL features music and new lyrics by "Wicked's" Stephen Schwartz. The play has been revived regularly ever since its Off-Broadway debut in 1971 and film adaptation in 1973, starring renowned American film and stage actor Victor Garber in the role of Jesus.

Leading the Manila production are Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Jef Flores as Jesus, and OJ Mariano as John the Baptist and Judas. Other cast members include Topper Fabregas, Red Concepcion, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Caisa Borromeo, Poppert Bernadas, Stephen Vinas, Abi Sulit, Maronne Cruz, Rhenz Cabalonzo, and Gab Pangilinan.

It was director Anton Juan who suggested choosing a piece that's both popular and appealing to everyone.

On choosing GODSPELL, which tells the story of Jesus in a whimsical, sweet rock musical, Jay Valencia-Glorioso, MusicArtes' executive director, said its timeliness sealed the deal. GODSPELL is also MusicArtes' first venture into producing a full-length rock musical.

"GODSPELL puts forth our message of peace and hope...this will be our first venture in putting together a musical play and a rock opera at that. It's challenging especially because Schwartz's music is not easy at all starting with a 10-minute a cappella with eight-point harmony," said Ms. Valencia-Glorioso.

She hopes that after GODSPELL, MusicArtes' intimate opera series will be launched in its very own black box theatre this July to be followed by another musical next year. MusicArtes, according to her, supports almost all genres of music entertainment, though it focused more on staging classical opera such as Madame Butterfly and La Boheme in the past four years.

GODSPELL evolved from Mr. Tebelak's master's thesis project at Carnegie Mellon whose original music and lyrics were reworked by fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus Mr. Schwartz. GODSPELL first ran on Off-Broadway, London, Toronto, and Maseru in South Africa in the early '7os before it opened on Broadway five years later. In 2011, it returned to Broadway with updates to both its book and music, which the Manila production is presenting.

GODSPELL in Manila features musical direction by Ejay Yatco, production design by Otto Hernandez, and lighting design by John Batalla.

It is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

Purchase tickets at TicketWorld.com.ph and SMTickets.com.

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