ShareThisA REVIEW BY GRACE AVELLANA VILLAMORA. AUTHOR, RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT.
The Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, visited Chicago for only 10 hours, 123 years ago on May 11, 1888. Yet his spirit and legacy live on to inspire a group of talented artists, actors, singers and musicians to present a brilliant musical, Rizal’s Sweet Stranger (Untold Stories of Josephine Bracken) on September 23 and 24, 2011 at St. Scholastica Academy Theater in Chicago. It is a fitting remembrance of Dr. Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary.
“Chicago is the only city with a world premiere musical for the celebration,” points out Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim of the Philippine Consulate General.
This musical was produced by SamaSama Project/Louella Maningas and CIRCA Pintig/Angelica “Ging” Mascarenas, PhD.
Anton Juan, Jr. PhD, a tenured professor of Directing and Playwriting/Theatre and Socials Concerns, Artistic Director, New Playwright’s Workshop at the University of Notre Dame du Lac, directed and conceived, wrote dramatic text and lyrics, choreography, and was the Supervising Playwright and Editor. More bio here: //ftt.nd.edu/faculty-and-staff/alphabetical-directory/anton-juan/.
Rizal’s Sweet Stranger included collaborative text from Sir Anril P. Tiatco’s “Miss Dulce Extranjera,” a Palanca award-winning play and “The Search for Miss B,” “Heroes’ Square’s ,“ “Rizaliana” and Isagani Cruz’s “Josephine,” reconstructed and written text, as well as extrapolations of other historical texts, visual documents and songs. The music was composed by Cleofe Guangko Casambre, M.D., William Elvin Manzano, and Vincent de Jesus. Baron Cabalona was the Musical Director.
Ms. Lani Misalucha of Las Vegas was the special featured guest and played the role of Inang Bayan. Singing beautiful solo parts in Jocelinang Baliwag, Sa Sariling Bayan /Bayan Ko, Lani joined the ensemble on Reflections on Heroism and Nation’s Prayer. Info on Lani here: //lani.eradioportal.com/
Dr. Casambre’s original piano compositions included Act I Overture; Reflections on Heroism; Parallel Lives; Moon and Sea; Gamugamu; Nation’s Prayer: all lyrics by Anton Juan; Act II Overture: Sanctuary (Prayer Before Surgery) music and lyrics by Cleofe; and Mi Ultimo Adios, music by Cleofe, text from Dr. Jose Rizal’s My Last Farewell poem. More on Cleofe: lookrelaxmd.com; cleogiftofmelody@aol.com
William Elvin Manzano, composer, songwriter and singer based in the Philippines, contributed two compositions: Will You Be My Eyes? and Lullaby for a Lost Child. Contact here: williamelvin_manzano@yahoo.com or www.happydaysahead.fm.
SamaSama Project contributions included What Will this Land be Like? and Yan ang Akala Mo, with lyrics by Anton Juan. Baron Cabalona was the musical director.
The character, Josephine, played by Antoinette Gomez projected a coquettish woman with great vocal range and strong demeanor. She performed at the gala program. Elizabeth Tuazon was the Josephine repititeur with the lyrical voice, clear articulation and luminescence at the matinee performance.
Jose Rizal was played by Ariel Dayanghirang at the Friday and Saturday matinee shows and by Chip Payos at the Saturday gala program. Both men are fine actors with great vocal range.
This musical underscores the role of the theatre in expressing and showing the culture of the nation and the “aspirations of the people.” Effectively using the character of Josephine Bracken, the resilience of women and their active roles as partners in the struggle for freedom were highlighted.
Rizal’s Sweet Stranger’s multi-talented ensemble is one of the core strengths of this musical. The actors seamlessly transitioned from one character to another performing numbers in song, dance and delicate balancing acts on elevated bamboo poles. Saupama, sung with verve by Emilio “Boboy” Nicolasin, was an authentic Tausog song. Je Cacnio’s solo dance in this scene was graceful and engrossing.
The lyrical compositions of Cleofe Guangko Casambre, M. D. deserve a special kudos for her extraordinary skills and mastery of making beautiful music. Her music is inspirational, memorable and a showcase for Filipino talent in this production.
The band’s strong suit was its pulsating percussion that created a spiraling effect, intricate guitar riffs and its ability to generate moods in lockstep with emotional requirements of various scenes.
Stage set was elegantly minimal with backdrop that transitioned to red or blue color to effectively convey the mood of the scenes. Historical images and names projected on stage served to heighten the roles played by revolutionary figures in nation-building. Costumes designed for Rizal’s era added wonderful array of colors with modern lines and folds.
Louie Sison did the set designs; Giau Truong handled lights and production designs, and Ginger Leopoldo managed as assistant director, costume designs. Stage Manager: Angelica Atian.
Effective use of grotesques images of tyrannical characters and oppressors were powerful illustrations of injustices chronicled by Jose Rizal, depicting an environment that sadly continues to exist to this day.
The eye-catching display of the Filipino flag covering the entire stage provided a resonant image to the audience. Lani Misalucha’s stirring performance of Bayan Ko inevitably pulled heart strings in the audience.
No review of this musical would be complete without a special round of applause for the directorial expertise of Anton Juan, Jr. To orchestrate a world-class production, in such a short time, is a testament to his masterful skills as a director, artist and ambassador extraordinaire of Filipino culture and the arts.
The obligatory salute to the actors, musicians and stage crew was richly deserved. However, the traditional acknowledgment of the producers was sadly overlooked. It leaves a sour note to this musical. It would have been an opportunity to affirm the unity and community that was the theme of Rizal and required to stage a professional production of this magnitude and substance.
Rizal’s Sweet Stranger (Untold Stories of Josephine Bracken)
St. Scholastica Academy Theater, 7419 W. Ridge, Chicago, IL 60645
Play Dates: Friday, September 23/2 PM, 24/2 PM and 7PM
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AUDIENCE FEEDBACK: IN THEIR OWN WORDS.
The interviews were conducted before the show, during intermissions and after the shows by Grace Avellana Villamora, Author, Research and Knowledge Management Consultant.
Cleared with interviewees for this publication. ©All Rights Reserved.
Describe your impressions about Rizal’s Sweet Stranger, The Musical.
“Brilliant. Anton Juan’s assertion that resurrection, not rest, is the promise of Jose Rizal’s death incites Filipinos in the homeland and the diaspora to a continuing march towards rooted change. This is theatre that does not stop at the stage’s edge but extends to the life it draws from and that it helps to recreate.” Grace Nono, Philippine music artist, scholar, cultural activist. New York City
“I am intrigued with Josephine Bracken as much as I am interested in knowing how the story was woven into a contemporary musical. Robert Myer, Chicago
“I came to learn more about Josephine Bracken; to refresh my historical memory about this important era. I look forward to it as a proud Filipino.” Elmer Carasig, MD, Chicago
“I came to support the Filipino community. Jan Paul Ferrer, Tinley Park
“… to know more about our history from Josephine Bracken’s view. I have high expectations from the actors/ staging crew knowing the caliber of CIRCA/Pintig productions.” Heman Ezra, Hoffman Estates
“I knew nothing about this musical as I was invited by a friend, a member of the cast.” After intermission: “the production is beautiful with gorgeous garb. It was a surprised for me to see Asian women dancing the Flamenco and to know that Filipinos and Puerto Ricans have a shared Latin American ancestry, language, practices, and common struggles – the big difference is that Puerto Rico never got its sovereignty.” Tamara Brey, Chicago
“Anton Juan’s passion for history and the Filipino culture is so infectious; we hope to inculcate that respect with the kids and our community. Rudy and Carmen Garcia, Chicago
“… It is an awesome musical. I cried at Bayan Ko. Mary Jo Reyes, Chicago
“… the emotional and historical theme pulled us in. Chris and Dahlia Racela, Hanover Park
“It was an amazing play with wonderful original music and choreography …. presented in modern relatable English and Filipino dialogue. Orestes Chua, Los Angeles
“… the music is so inspirational … with colorful costumes and fantastic staging. I appreciate the interaction between the community and the wonderful Filipinos. I would like to congratulate Cleo Casambre on her hard work and beautiful compositions.” Joan Mason, Esq, Meadville, PA
“… it’s a 10! Fabulous. The stage design was simple, minimal. It is a communion of nationalism and love of country … moving and effective display of the Filipino flag during Bayan Ko … the acoustics were not good; garbled sound … actors talk so fast particularly during the court proclamations. The slide show helped present ideas in graphic form.” Roger Maslon, Chicago
“It is a beautiful musical … expressive of the theme: Freedom and Love of Country. The music was well phrased; the band kept its impeccable timing. Cleo’s compositions were so inspirational.” Gilda Small, Chicago
“Moving. An astounding show especially with regard to what the cast and production crew achieved within the time frame allotted them. … Acoustics need improvement. Could not understand the dialog during the first act, because of garbled acoustics … I am a sentimentalist, I was waiting for softer, more kundiman-like notes for some of the scenes with plenty of pathos … travel to Dapitan segment needs to be cut. Too long and does not contribute to the story. Mariano Yogore, III, M. D., Esq., Chicago