Playing to sold out audiences at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater for a strictly limited engagement!
The musical based on Soc Rodrigo's Filipino translation of the French classic Cyrano de Bergerac has been among the most popular Filipino theatrical productions of the past decade and it's very easy to see why. It really has all the elements Philippine theater will ever need to jumpstart from the pandemic, owing to its growing popularity among millenials and Gen Zs in its most recent productions in Ateneo De Manila University in 2018, all that thanks to its themes of love in a time of the atrocities of war as well as its over-the-top, genre-bending soundtrack. And does it deserve a massive comeback after the pandemic?
Oh yes, it did. It did have such a comeback. And it returned with a vengeance. All that thanks to such a loyal audience.
And not only that, but its comeback story is happening in the city's newest and boldest venue for theatrical entertainment: the Samsung Performing Arts Center in Ayala Malls Circuit Makati.
The theater itself is such a massive place. Spanning nine floors and towering high above the mall, CPAT really is a sight to behold. Add to that the amazing interior design inspired by experts in the field bred from the finest venues on Broadway and the West End. It's modern, classy, and elegant vibes is complimented by exquisite paintings adorning the walls and the woodgrain stairwells throughout the venue gives off a superb and classy vibe. It almost feels like I'm at a grand theater abroad. Thumbs up to the guys at the Samsung CPAT!
When I saw the September 4th Sunday afternoon show, the theater was buzzing with excitement. Every corner of every space was filled with lively conversation, friends and families coming together to share the magic of musical theater and this fantastic well-crafted piece as if the pandemic only lasted for a shorter time and we were all called back to the theater to share this story of love and defiance that have captivated audiences since its first incarnation over a decade ago as "Cyrano: Isang Sarswela" at UP Diliman. After six years of writing, rewriting, and redeveloping, the show had its first big run at Ateneo De Manila University's Henry Lee Irwin Theater in 2016. It became a runaway hit with young theatergoers with its themes of finding romance and holding on to your hopes and dreams amidst the darkness of living in World War II Manila. It's infectious and heartwarming songs have resonated with the show's legions of fans in the last few productions over the years. And after the announcement of the show's return to the stage in late August this year, the fans came in droves to re-live this wonderful experience, and also for new fans like me to discover what the hype was all about.
Act 1 of the show is as you might expect, an upbeat introduction to the characters in the show, the dreams they all had and most importantly, the main character Cyrano's unwavering love for theater and the performing arts, as well as the humorous antics of his fellow general Christian and their attraction to a lovely girl named Roxanne. Both of them had dreams of going to the moon and back with their love and passion for the arts, until the war came and ravaged everything.
At this point, we reach the second act, where a more poignant, human, Filipino side to the war story: That of those unsung heroes who were never soldiers, just military men in training, and they had to risk everything and see the destruction of their beloved Manila. And it portrayed Filipinos forced to live through these conditions, and how their innocence has been lost to oppressively forces. Despite nearly losing their lives, Cyrano and Christian kept on hoping and carrying feelings of hope, for them lies the future of the nation where they can be free to dream, as well as Roxanne, the common love they all share and how much they want to send her to the moon.
Fast forward to the postwar era, and we see Christian and Roxanne together, giving birth to their first child, and so much has changed. Theaters were being replaced by cinemas and dance halls filled with swing, big band, and early pop records. The world has changed so much around them and yet their love remains alive, and the ways that they tried to stay connected had kept them through the trials and tribulations.
Its confluence of love, history, and music really does hit right in the feels for many theatergoers young and old. With such a relatable script that takes audiences into the worlds of the characters and the music that spans every known genre throughout the history of Filipino music, mixing classic old fashioned "kundimans" and "harana" with the sounds of 90s Pinoy rock.
And the cast? Well, I do have to say that I can speak volumes about their incredible performances, many of which are from some of the rising new stars of Philippine theater. First of all, let's talk Myke Salomon, who played Cyrano. Honestly, this is a very amazing showing of his talent and its unlimited possibilities. The role and how he delivered it was very fluid and really shows the wide spectrum of his emotions. It is living proof that he can rise up to the challenge of whatever role can be passed on to him. Considering his background in film and his most recent shows like Joseph The Dreamer and Ang Huling El Bimbo, rest assured that Filipinos will have a rising star to watch for.
Markki Stroem, a Fil-Norwegian multimedia star who's better known for conjuring up hilarious conversations in Monster RX93.1's The Morning Rush radio show, makes his very poignant theatrical debut in this show. To me, the humor and the heart he exudes on the radio every morning is the same humor and energy that he takes to the stage. Whether it be giving the main character a helping hand to using his incredible dance moves, Stroem is sure to become Pinoy theater's next big thing, and with the show's skyrocketing popularity, his next phase as a stage actor is in good hands.
And of course, the ever so elegant Gab Pangilingan stars as Roxanne, and as I have always expected, gives off a rather splendid performance. Her elegant singing, makeup, outfits, and acting is the undisputed heart and soul of the show. The way she emotionally represented the character of Roxanne stole the hearts of audiences when the show debuted in 2016, and still continues to captivate audiences today. No wonder she has become a constant fixture of the show throughout its many incarnations over the years.
To be honest, Mula Sa Buwan is a total feels trip. It has all the elements Philippine theater needs to get back on its feet in the post-COVID age. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me discreetly bob my head when each song came on. So beautifully crafted and heartfeltly made, it has captured the hearts of post-pandemic audiences so much that the closing weekend has been sold out! With that writing on the wall, it is sure to become more or less the Pinoy answer to Lin-Manuel Miranda's megahit Hamilton, as it beautifully portrays the aspect of "The story of the Filipino then, as told by the Filipino now"
And with all the themes I had mentioned, it is touching and stirring the hearts of theatergoers young and old, and its romantic background as well as the relatable is attracting so many youngsters bringing the "hugot" aesthetic with them, the show is selling out rapidly and all the final weekend shows had been sold out. It was due to close last weekend but COVID cases in the theater, so it had to get delayed by one week to ensure the proper protocols and testing were observed, and it allowed fans of the show to grab hold of whatever tickets were left for the final shows. I do have to say that with its themes and popularity, the show will certainly get another rerun in the future, if not in Manila (as the producers said that this is the last time the show will be staged in Manila), then perhaps other parts of the country like in Cebu, Iloilo, or Davao so that more Filipinos can be able to experience this rather heartfelt, thoughtful, and relatable feels trip every time they watch this show.
Congratulations once again to the tremendously amazing cast and crew for pulling out all the stops to create a show that we cannot just see but also feel, and thanks also to the many many fans of Mula Sa Buwan for helping its post-pandemic run not only to hit the ground running but also to figuratively and literally get off the ground into people's hearts.
As a special bonus, here are my videos from the experience, sharing my thoughts on the show at intermission and at the end of the show, plus the exciting curtain call!
