Stages Footloose Stellar Performances

Stages, the sister company of the well known theatre company Trumpets, opened their very first foray into the world of theatre production last 02 September 2005 at the Meralco Theater with Footloose the Musical.

Although it may be its official first play, by no means is it the first effort of an inexperienced group of associates for it is headed by Audie Gemora and Butch Gimenez, the very same team behind the successful Trumpets. Unlike Trumpets, though, Stages was created out of the need to service secular projects like corporate events, talent management, Broadway musicals, pop concerts and TV programs.

Synopsis

The author of the musical, Dean Pitchford, based the story on a real incident in the city of Elmore in Oklahoma City where dancing had been illegal since 1861. In a fit of rebellious tenacity, the high school students of 1980 protested and won their case over the ridiculous ordinance.

To create the dramatic tension required in the musical, Mr. Pitchford conceived of a Chicago City bred character, Ren McCormack, who had to move to the rural town of Beaumont where he is shocked to learn that dancing is illegal ever since the tragic demise of four teenagers in a car accident 5 years ago.

Longing to break out of the confines of the oppressive atmosphere established by the town leader, Rev. Moore, Ren convinced the other students to hold a dance. But in order to do so, Ren had to also convince the town council as well. He is helped in this endeavor by Rev. Moore’s daughter—Ariel.

However, Ren failed to change the town council’s members’ minds, but, unknowingly, had triggered the hardened Rev. Moore to question his assertion regarding the non-dancing law. In his painful introspection, he realized that he was trying to cope with his son’s loss, Ariel’s brother, who was one of the four teenagers who died in the car accident.

Generously admitting his fault, Rev. Moore persuaded the other town council members to join him in abolishing the law that he himself instigated. The whole town celebrates in a dance that encouraged everybody to cut, “Footloose!”

On the night that I watched, four actors gave stellar performances that made watching Footloose the Musical really worthwhile.

Jonard Yanzon

When Stella Sison, one of the people heading Stages, asked me what I thought of Jonard’s performance as Ren McCormack, I replied, “His life prepared him for this role.”

Jonard’s character, Ren, is a troubled young man grappling with the sudden disappearance of his father from his life and all the changes he had to deal with from being uprooted from a familiar environment. Mirroring his character’s predicament, Jonard had to go through the same challenges in his personal life as well, blending reality and theatre perfectly in a dazzling performance.

The experience was topped off by the fact that Jonard had honed his musical theatre skills in the intervening years when I first met him in the Trumpets’ production of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe where he played Peter.

Imbuing his character with the necessary angst made Jonard’s performance sympathetic and engaging for the fortunate audience during the first weekend. With the return of the Prince of R & B, Jay-R, from the United States, Jonard will be taking on the character of Ariel’s jealous boyfriend, Chuck, for the rest of the September performances.

Gian Magdangal

Gian’s comic timing as Ren’s best friend cum sidekick, Willard, was impeccable, causing the audience to uproariously laugh repeatedly during the night. Furthermore, having worked together in the boy band 17:28, Jonard and Gian made the friendship between Ren and Willard palpable, one brimming with affection and respect.

And, knowing how Gian is such an excellent dancer, made his characterization of Willard’s bumbling attempts to learn how to dance so believable, it became a testament to his commitment to the craft of acting.

Audie Gemora

Audie never ceases to enthrall with his magnetic onstage presence. His degenerative breakdown and rise to enlightenment as the grieving Rev. Moore was truly a classic moment that proved, once again, his thespian abilities.

Agot Isidro

Agot turned out to be the pleasant surprise of the evening. Frumpily dressed during most of the play’s duration that I almost didn’t reconize her, she was so impressive with her quiet solid presence as Mrs. Moore, Rev. Moore’s wife.

Moreover, hearing her mold her pop singing voice into a musical theatre one was just lovely to hear. Her duet with theatre luminary, Ms. Carla Martinez, was so reminiscent of the strains of the music of Stephen Sondheim that it easily became my favorite number, given my predilection for any Stephen Sondheim musical.

Performance Schedule

The schedule of the upcoming September 2005 shows are:

September 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 8pm
September 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 3pm

Ticket prices are:

Orchestra Loge/Center 850
Orchestra Side 750
Loge Side 650
Balcony Center 500
Balcony Side 300

For ticket inquiries, you may call Ticket World at 891.9999, or Trumpets at 635.4478, 631.7252 or 633.4387. Or email Trumpets at trumpets@compass.com.ph

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