Resorts World Manila’s (RWM) upcoming theater production Ang Huling El Bimbo promises to be another breakthrough production for Full House Theater Company, Inc. (FHTC) as it tells a story of friendship anchored on the most iconic OPM rock songs of the ‘90s.
As in most theater productions, the technical team always proves to be the architects of its success along with the all-Filipino cast who will give life to its relatable characters. For Ang Huling El Bimbo, FHTC spared no effort and expense in assembling a team of Filipino visionaries who will make the musical a surefire hit.
Dulaang UP artistic director and stage master Dexter Santos (Orosman at Zafira, Maxie the Musicale , Ang Nawalang Kapatid) takes on the gargantuan task of directing the contemporary story written by noted Virgin Labfest playwright Dingdong Novenario (Kafatiran, Nothing But Dreams, Daddy’s Girl), weaved through the songs of the country’s Fab Four: Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro.
“We have the opportunity to translate the songs into a musical,” shares Santos who is also the choreographer in the production. “And the story is going to be a rollercoaster of emotions,” he added.
Novenario wrote the story with the fans of the music in mind, as well some of today’s important social issues. “You’d always want to find something relevant. The people who grew up with these songs are not simple and I wanted to find out how they are today—people who won’t shy away from such brave stuff that Ang Huling El Bimbo tackles”.
For a musical headlined by such theater luminaries as Gian Magdangal, Tanya Manalang, Jon Santos, OJ Mariano, Topper Fabregas, Reb Atadero, and Boo Gabunada, an expert technical team plays an important role in how the whole production pans out onstage. For this, FHTC signed up Star Awards, Aliw Awards, and Awit Awards winner Myke Salomon as musical director; World Stage Design bronze medalist Gino Gonzales as set designer; BroadwayWorld Philippines winner Rards Corpus as sound designer; Cinemalaya, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Golden Screen Awards, Granada Film Festival Cines del Sur, Metro Manila Film Festival, and Philadelphia Film Festival winner Marlon Rivera as set designer; Gawad CCP Awardee para sa Sining Monino Duque as lighting director; and Hipstography Awards nominee GA Fallarme as projection designer among others.
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, known as the First Lady of Philippine musical theater, and serves as FHTC co-artistic director and Ang Huling El Bimbo assistant director expresses her high hopes for the upcoming production. “With the musical’s formidable cast and crew harmonizing with the songs that serve as a soundtrack to almost every Filipino’s life, it may just have what it takes to be another classic Filipino theater production,” she said.
Watch Ang Huling El Bimbo at the Newport Performing Arts Theater starting on July 20, with shows every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets are now available at the RWM Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets.
Visit www.rwmanila.com or download the RWM Mobile App for more details.