Joe: A Filipino ‘rockssical’

Fred Hawson

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When two musical genres fuse to tell the story of the National Hero, this witty play is what you get

PATRICK LUBAO AS JOSE Rizal in 'Joe.' Image from 3xhcch.multiply.com

MANILA, Philippines – It was my first time to watch a play from the Philippine Stagers Foundation (or simply Philstagers), a theater company that has been around since 2001. It evolved from the Dulaan Bedista Alumni Production, founded by Atty. Vince Tanada. Back then, Vince was a young man who had just passed the bar exams; today, he is a lawyer by profession and a playwright, stage director and actor by passion.  

I’m a theater fanatic, as you know, but I must confess that it was only in 2011 that I heard about Philstagers. It was because of their production called “Cory ng EDSA” that nabbed Best Musical of 2011 from both the Aliw Awards and the new Broadway World Awards.

Since 2001, Philstagers has been producing two original plays/musicals per year. Among the more publicized were “Desaparecidos” (2004), “Enzo… Santo” (2006), and “Ako si Ninoy” (2010). Before “Joe,” they already featured the National Hero twice: in “Ang Joe ni Josephine” (2003) and “Josephine’s Joe” (2005).

Vince, a recipient of the Aliw Awards for Best Director and Best Actor, is the writer and director of all of these Philstagers productions. In his message in the souvenir program of “Joe,” he wrote about going against more “big-time” or “mainstream” theater companies.

Seems to be quite the passionate rebel, yet secure in his own place in the local theater industry.

Despite the rain from Typhoon Ferdie that July 22 afternoon, the Sta. Cecilia Hall of St. Scholastica’s College in Manila was fully packed with students. It felt wonderful to see young people watch theater (It was also in college in UP Manila when I got bitten by the theater bug).

All about “Joe”

“Joe” is a 3-act musical with 20 scenes. It runs for about 2 hours without an intermission. 

As its tagline (“A Filipino Rockssical”) denotes, the play fuses modern rock with classical Filipino music to tell the story of Jose Rizal’s life.    

It is written as a play within a play. 

The story

A group of former high school friends reunite after 12 years to help their former classmate stage a big Malacanang-commissioned musical about Jose Rizal.

The main controversy tackled in the musical is the questionable signing by Rizal of a retraction statement in order to gain the Church’s approval to marry Josephine Bracken.

The structure of the play is quite complicated as it attempts to parallel this old conflict with the modern-day conflict of “History vs. Art” being experienced by the writer-director in the play, Joecas (played by Vince). The story spans several years as it follows the lead characters from high school to the present day then to old age.

What we think

In my opinion, the play is both meaningful and entertaining for the young audience it targets. The music and lyrics of the songs are spot on; the solid voice of the chorus line, moving. The choreography is memorable, especially that surprisingly catchy move of leaning backwards to mimic Rizal’s fall after being shot.

The set’s pieces are few but more than appropriate to create the setting of the various scenes throughout the play. The costumes are smartly put together to reflect the running emotion of a scene.

I did not know any of the actors in the cast before watching “Joe.” I found them quite impressive.  

Patrick Libao essays the iconic title role of Jose Rizal very well, his diminutive stature adding to the realism of his look. His singing voice is also very strong.  

Vince is very good as Joecas, the tormented rocker-playwright so engrossed in his own artistry despite personal consequences. His tenor voice unexpectedly soars.  

I am quite taken by the performance of Cindy Liper as researcher Joanne. She has very expressive eyes.  

The scene-stealer is little Gabby Bautista, who plays the optimistic orphan Turing. His stage presence is amazing; his confidence magnetic. No wonder he was recognized by the Aliw Awards for his acting skills at the tender age of 4 in 2009.

The favorites of the ladies in the audience are Jordan Ladra (the NPA rebel/musician with the very Western name of Hunter) and Kierwin Larena (the fat classmate turned sexy club DJ, Bimbo).

Statuesque Monique Azerreda plays the controversial Josephine Bracken.  

Comic relief comes from the characters of gay beauty salon owner Ambo (Chin Ortega), his high school enemy turned friend and now top fashion designer Julia (Adelle Ibarrientos-Lim), Rizal’s wacky sisters Maria (Patricia Lopez), Narcisa (Jerie Sanchez) and Trining (Nikki Joy Villaviray).  

Does the play get its message across to the young audiences? I think so, based on the effusive standing ovation that came with the curtain call when I watched it.

Does it tell us whether Rizal signed the retraction or not? The characters themselves are arguing about it. An emblematic scene shows Rizal tearing down a brown banner saying “Kasaysayan” (History) and it is replaced by a white banner saying “Sining” (Art).

What exactly does this mean? Is it up to the artist to interpret history as he sees fit? Should art protect the image of the hero? 

I have a minor gripe: the occasional use of profanity in the script. Since the play targets the youth, I believe that the language could still be “cool” without any profanity.  

I was a bit concerned since I brought my young kids with me; but then I saw an even younger kid in the cast, and little Gabby can hear these words every time they go onstage.

The scenes of the gay characters are used for laughs so they can be excused, but more conservative members of the audience may find the sexual references disconcerting. 

That said, my kids found the play very entertaining; as did my wife and I. I recommend that you watch it. I am sure you will enjoy it and be moved by its wit, sincerity and patriotism. – Rappler.com

 

Catch the last two weekends of ‘Joe’ on August 18-19, 25-26 at SM North Edsa Cinema 9 (8am, 11am, 2pm). For tickets, call 0927-3913447.

Fred Hawson is a physician and surgeon by trade who enjoys blogging about movies, theater and music. To read more of his reviews, visit his blog, 3xhcch.multiply.com.

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