Beyond Pink Stripes: Indie Maxie is Now a Musicale!:)

Having watched a number of plays, participated in amateur stage performances, read some of Shakespeare's masterpieces and attended theater classes, I can somehow claim that I am no stranger to such fine art that is theater. The closest I have come to "professional" theater though was back in college when I took an elective which paved the way for my involvement in a Dulaang UP production.^^

Theater gives me a certain kind of high, what with characters breathing life to an act with no cuts and retakes plus intense monologues/ dialogues delivered live. The stage never seems to run out of stories to tell, effortlessly weaving threads of reality and fantasy.

In the recent years however, the theater aficionado in me slowly entered dormancy due to pursuit of other passions and interests.

But last Friday, I was vigorously roused from such quiescence state when I found myself at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to grace the kick-off event of Maxie The Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.

Based on the award-winning independent film "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros", the story is summarized as follows:

An effeminate, adolescent boy Maxie grows up in the slums of Manila and is deeply loyal to his family of petty thieves. His world revolves around taking care of his father Paco and two brothers Bogs and Boy, who love and protect him. When Maxie meets a young, handsome, and idealistic policeman Victor, the two quickly form a friendship and Maxie begins to realize that he can have a better life, which soon incurs the ire and disapproval of Maxie’s family. Torn between his emerging affection for Victor and unquestioning devotion to his father and brothers, “Maxie The Musical” is a tale of lost innocence and redemption amidst poverty and corruption.

(courtesy of Bit by Bit Company)

The event last Friday was merely a teaser, a "patikim nang shlight". Thus, only selected scenes were showcased through songs and oral interpretation (hello pink folders :D) by performers who weren't necessarily the ones partaking in the actual musical to be staged from November 9 to December 8, 2013 at PETA Theater Center in New Manila Q.C.

Here's a video of one of the performances. NOT YET PERFECT, yes, but still cool just like that.:)

It is too soon to make a comprehensive review on Maxie the Musicale since it is still a work in progress. Rehearsals are still ongoing and there stands the possibility of revision even for the acts/ songs already shown during the kick-off, as told during the Q&A portion with the producers and the artistic team.

PRODUCED by Bit by Bit Company
in cooperation with the PETA Theater Center and the Cultural Center of the Philippines
BOOK AND LYRICS by Nicolas B. Pichay
MUSIC by William Manzano, Arkel Mendoza, and JJ Pimpinio
DIRECTION AND CHOREOGRAPHY by Dexter M. Santos

But surely, what I have witnessed last Friday at the CCP left me wanting for MORE.

Now I want to hear more of the catchy melodies laden with lyrics both heart tugging and mind stirring...see more of the comical antics of the actors...ponder EVEN MORE on the existing issues that today's society of either shuns or bravely faces.

It is interesting to note that the lead actor of Maxie The Musicale, 14-year old Jayvhot Galang, is a theater freshie who did not audition for the musical, well initially. Instead, he was pursued after being discovered in a noontime show where he appeared as a game contestant. His casting was a case of "you're-perfect-for-the-role-so-we-had-to-go-find-you.^^

During the kick-off, Jayvhot aka Maxie only went onstage during the closing performance. My outright observations: His looks did not disappoint as he's what I imagined Maxie to be. His voice proved to have a lot of potential. Though it's true that he still has a lot to unleash, I am so positive that he's already taken the first step to becoming the next theater star.