Rivalry Ateneo La Salle The Musical from the 4th Wall Theatre Company
Courtesy of 4th Wall Theatre Company
The Rivalry Company of Actors The 4th Wall Theatre Company has assembled one of the best companies of actors for its initial offering– Rivalry : Ateneo La Salle The Musical. Its ensemble and supporting cast feature very experienced theater people who were more than able to negotiate the demands of putting together an original Filipino musical (it was so refreshing to hear Filipino accented English), which Rivalry director Jaime del Mundo pointed out during the press conference after the show last 16 February 2012. Manila Bulletin reports.
The wonderful thing is [that] the actors here have been so honed and are just really professional that I love the fact that nothing fazes them. We keep giving them new lines, new business to do, new songs, and they take it all in stride.
A Family Affair Aside from the basketball rivalry, director Jaime del Mundo, who wrote the book based on the story of Ed Gatchalian, increased the conflict by making the rivalry a family affair (the mothers are sisters), with two branches, the Valencia and Basilio clans, represent the Ateneo and La Salle schools; and then upped the ante by having a member of the opposing families (first degree cousins) be interested in the same girl, Reena San Jose.
What La Sallians May Think From the onset, the green archers will be pleased because the lead character is from La Salle (star basketball player Tommy Basilio), with a whole musical number dedicated to extolling La Sallians’ pleasing attributes, sung by swooning Maryknollers (producer Ed Gatchalian said that La Salle Vancouver has expressed interest to bring the show abroad, aside from Rivalry having a possible second run in August 2012). Plus, Tommy Basilio captures the affections of Reena, the aloof and very intelligent girl from Maryknoll (now Miriam College).
What Ateneans May Think However, the Atenistas may have the last laugh. If they ever deign to watch the musical, I think true blue Atenistas (those who attended grade school to high school) will enjoy it even more for the multi-layered joke foisted on the unsuspecting audience. With hubris bred in their very cores (which actor Felix Rivera failed to realize what should have been the bedrock of his characterization for Quito Valencia), Atenistas can take delight as a nerdy, idealistic, Shakespeare-quoting and honorable Atenean manages to save the day and get the girl in the end (the Quito and Reena hook-up is sorta alluded to).
What Other College Students and Alumni May Think While I was watching, by virtue of family (my brother’s an Atenista), I was on the Atenean side. However, as a UP graduate (although I could have attended Ateneo, the thought of more religion was just not appealing), I wasn’t emotionally invested (except for one cheering-worthy moment).
Rivalry is still entertaining, though. Despite the simple set and set pieces, director Jaime del Mundo paced and blocked the show with eye-engaging fervor. And, although set in 1968, Ed Gatchalian composed and arranged the music with a mix of modern and “oldies” flavors. Moreover, as I mentioned above, Rivalry can boast of an excellent ensemble, which is usually lacking in a lot of theater productions.
Broadway and West End Aspirations Ed Gatchalian, 4th Wall Theatre Company head and executive producer, explained that Rivalry is just a stepping stone to his ultimate goal of bringing a Filipino musical to Broadway and West End. As a matter of fact, he and his creative team already have a concept for the ambitious and exciting project.
Thanks Thanks so much to Leah Reyes for the invite to catch Rivalry Ateneo La Salle The Musical last 16 February 2012.
Rivalry Run Rivalry : Ateneo-La Salle the Musical will run from 18 February to 11 March 2012 at the Meralco Theater. For tickets, please call Ticketworld at 891.9999.
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