And the next Dorina Pineda could be you
Theater Spotlight: Bituing Walang Ningning, The Musical
It’s been (mis)quoted many times, many ways. Cherie Gil’s iconic line, “You’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard, copy cat!” (Spills water on Sharon Cuneta’s face), never gets old—but it does need a new stage. From the original comic series by Nerissa Cabral to the blockbuster hit movie in 1985 starring Cherie, Sharon, and Christopher de Leon to the 2006 TV series starring Sarah Geronimo, Angelika dela Cruz, and Ryan Agoncillo, the classic Pinoy tale now ups the ante. It’s going to be a musical theater play.
Resorts World Manila, Viva Communications Inc., and Full House Theater Company bring to life the classic drama Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical starring Mark Bautista as Nico Escober and Cris Villonco as Lavinia Arguelles. Who’s Dorina Pineda? It might be you.
With audition dates on Feb. 28 and March 1 at The Plaza in Newport Mall, director Freddie Santos says the team is looking for Dorina’s X factor. “This is not cinema where you can close up your personality and X factor. When you have Cris Villonco on stage, you need to level up,” he says. The next Dorina should be between 16 and 20 years old, with good diction, can sing and act (of course), and with pleasing personality. Not only will she be portraying a classic role but she’ll win a movie and recording contract under Viva.
“As far as the songs are concerned, the production showcases new songs from Willie Cruz including ‘Mahawi Man Ang Ulap’ and ‘Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan.’ It doesn’t mean though that even if the songs are new, you’re not going to love the show. It’s new music, but more than anything, it’s the story that they’re going to love. It’s a challenge to young audience because it tackles your life choices: career or love? It’s very relatable,” says Santos.
He adds that the musical production has kept 12 original and iconic sentences, the remaining 50 pages are new script. Of course, Cherie Gil’s iconic line will be there, along with “Sinira mo ang kanta.” The rest, we have to watch.
“The songs that are part of the show will cross all generations. It’s about the glitz and glamour and being a star,” says Cris Villonco, who’s playing the contra vida Lavinia Arguelles.
From playing charismatic roles as Maria Von Trapp in the Sound of Music and Maria Clara in Noli Me Tangere, Cris says she loves the challenge of playing the villain.
“One thing I love about being part of theater is that I have a playground to do different roles. A lot of people think that I am very nice because of my angelic, round face. But it can fool a lot of people,” Cris says, “But then again my middle name is Siguion Reyna so I think I got something. So whenever I do my mean face, it can come out easily.”
Fresh from his London stint as one of the cast members in Here Lies Love, which tells the story of Imelda Marcos, Mark Bautista says his theater gigs have helped him take challenging roles.
“The London’s West End is the playground of famous actors like David Suchet and Benedict Cumberbatch, so I feel like I have to keep up and make good of my acting. I searched about my character. I haven’t watched the iconic movie and I have no plans of watching it. So I have to read the script and start from zero,” he says. Mark, apparently, doesn’t want to be a copy cat (pun intended). www.rwmanila.com
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