The Wheel and Axle

Josephine and Friends

by on Oct.10, 2016, under Music & Theater

With the talented lead, Via Antonio

So because I enjoyed Ako Si Josephine so much, I had to watch it a second time, which is typical of me. Watching it again most definitely did not diminish the awesomeness of the unique production.

In fact, the rewatch enhanced it – and given that it was also the final show of the run, there were a few added surprises (such as Yeng Constantino appearing during curtain call with a special song number).

The review I wrote for the show the first time I watched it largely focused on the story / material itself – on its subversive nature and how relevant it is given the current socio-political climate of the country. Now, I’d like to give the production itself, along with its cast, the recognition it deserves.

(continue reading…)

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Delightfully Subversive

by on Sep.26, 2016, under Music & Theater

I’m not really a fan of Yeng Constantino, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I went to watch Ako Si Josephine, a musical featuring her songs (which, to be honest, I’m only vaguely familiar with).

I do love musicals, as anyone who knows me would know, and I’m especially thrilled that original Pinoy musicals have been experiencing a great renaissance in the last decade (the long-running ZsaZsa Zaturnnah which is long overdue for another staging, Rak of Aegis, Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady, and the film I Do Bidoo, among others). Factor into the equation that two of my good friends are in the cast (hello, mga ses Ricci and Doemi!), and it was a no-brainer that I’d watch Ako Si Josephine.

(continue reading…)

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Cheeky Chekov

by on Feb.08, 2017, under Music & Theater

I recently got to watch Repertory Philippines’ Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a comedic play that took some inspiration and influence from Chekov. Except you don’t need to know Chekov to immerse yourself in and enjoy the play.

I went in with almost zero knowledge of the non-musical play – other than it had won a Tony a few years back and it boasted of a pretty esteemed cast – so it was one of those rare moments, in a world full of social media spoilers, wherein I was in for some truly pleasant surprises.

In this play, which I shall abbreviate as VSMS because dear lord that is one long title, we look into a couple of days in the lives of three middle-aged siblings all named by their theater-enthusiast professor parents after Chekov characters. Two of them, the older and semi-closeted Vanya (Michael Williams) and the adopted and insecure Sonia (Roselyn Perez), have been living rather boring lives together, a result of dropping everything else to take care of their parents until they passed away. The third, conceited and beautiful Masha (Cherie Gil), has been supporting them financially as a successful and famous movie actress, albeit one who is always away from the family home. 

(continue reading…)

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Let’s Rak Again

by on Jul.19, 2019, under Music & Theater, Society

I can never get enough of Rak of Aegis. Recently, Season 7 opened, and of course I had to see it again (third time, the most recent being last year).

What I love about Rak is that – like many original Filipino musicals like Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Ako Si Josephine, and Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady – every run adds new spins. Updated jokes that reference current events and pop culture memes are inserted, making each run feel fresh again while retaining everything that made the show successful.

Rak of Aegis Season 7 is such an experience. On top of small reinventions, new cast members are placed into the mix, giving returning audiences the opportunity to see different interpretations of classics.

And so it goes that we once again experience the travails of Bgy. Venizia, which gets flooded for months after a the construction of a gated community nearby prevented proper drainage. Against this backdrop and the backdrop of a social media age where virality is the way to fame, the community’s diverse array of residents struggle to cope with poverty, love, friendship, and ambition. (continue reading…)

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