Two big stars to join Resorts World Manila’s Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical

MANILA, Philippines – Fans clamoring for the return of Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical will get their wish and more as two new but familiar faces add shine to the stage masterpiece.

The stage adaptation of the popular 1985 film returns to the Newport Performing Arts Theater on October 8.

Joining the original cast is Antoinette Taus, who will play the feisty diva Lavinia Arguelles. As Lavinia, Taus dons a persona unlike what fans are used to seeing her play. She will share the role with the original Lavinia from the first run, Cris Villonco.

Taus recently returned to Philippine showbiz after a 10-year hiatus, previously taking projects for the stage in productions like Grease and this year’s Sabel.

Upping the ante on comic relief is comedian Epy Quizon, who will be playing the role of the supportive Auntie, alternating with Jon Santos who played the role from the first run.

The multi-awarded Quizon has already made a name for himself on the stage in local productions as Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labor Lost and Katy: The Musical. 

“It’s pretty much a new show they’re going to see,” shared Full House Theater Company artistic director and cast member Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo. “Based on the feedback from the first run, we redefined the script and will now present pretty much an improved version of it, which is really the way it’s done.”

In addition to Taus and Quizon, 10 new members of the ensemble are also revamping the entire performance with more musical numbers incorporated in songs to tell the story.

Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical first opened in June this year, marking itself as the first all-Filipino theater production to crossover across multiple media platforms. The timeless story of Dorina, the fan who became a superstar, was initially introduced by Nerissa Cabral via a serialized comic strip, and later adapted to film by director Emmanuel Borlaza, eventually becoming one of the most popular movies to date. The tale was then adapted into a TV drama series in 2006.

Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical returns to the stage starting October 8 at RWM’s Newport Performing Arts Theater. Visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (632) 908-8833 for tickets and updates. – Rappler.com