Friday, February 10, 2006

Zaturnnah: Ze Muzikal!


The cast and collaborators of Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal: That's Eula Valdes (who plays ZZZ) standing in the center; sitting in the center is Ricci Chan (Didi) and lying on his side in the center is Tuxqs Rutaquio (Ada). ZZZ is flanked by Agot Isidro (Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux) and Kalila Aguilos (Femina understudy). Click on the pic to enlarge.

Yvette and I just watched the dress tech rehearsal of Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah: Ze Muzikal last night, and we had a blast. It's based of course on Carlo Vergara's excellent comic book, which was so good that I must admit I had misgivings about it being adapted for any other medium. Fans of the original story can breathe a sigh of relief -- for the most part, they did it right. You'll laugh! You'll scream! You may even cry. But immediately afterwards, you'll be laughing again.

As the press release says, it's "a fresh take on the usual superhero story" -- "but this time, the superhero(ine) is a simple provincial gay beautician named Ada who transforms into voluptuous Zsazsa Zaturnnah possessing uncanny strength after swallowing a huge stone. Yes, it's Darna in drag."

Tuxqs Rutaquio as Ada is great; just the right amounts of sarcasm, vulnerability and strength. Ricci Chan owns the part of Didi, Ada's flamboyant assistant and best friend; it's hard to imagine anyone else playing it so well -- s/he steals almost every scene s/he's in, and gets a lot of laughs through lines that are, or at least appear to be, ad-libbed. Eula Valdes as Zsazsa really works -- she does the bitchy one-liners and slapstick stuff and action scenes with little heed for her personal safety or dignity (which, believe me, is a good thing, in this case).

Arnold Reyes is fine as neighborhood hunk Dodong, though he seems to have lost a few IQ points in the transition from page to stage. We agreed that Agot Isidro as main kontrabida Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux, while good, should have been a bit more over-the-top, should have had more fun with her role -- it would be interesting to see what understudy Kalila Aguilos does with it. The supporting cast really earns its keep, by the way -- as townspeople, zombies, and backup singers, they attack each and every one of their minor roles with energetic improvisation (as Yvette and I learned when one of them addressed us directly during a wonderfully chaotic street-vendor scene).

The official run begins today, February 10, and there are shows throughout February up until March 5. If you liked the comics, or if you just want to watch a fun (and funny) original musical, you'll enjoy Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Ze Muzikal! (Call the Tanghalang Pilipino office at 832-3661 or 832-1125 locals 1620/1621 or email ccptanghalan at yahoo.com for tickets, reservations and inquiries).

PS. Just found out -- according to Carlo's blog, "almost half of the shows have been fully booked even before the run has started". Hurry! :)

2 comments:

Carver said...

*huhuhuhu*

:-)

Carver

vincedejesus said...

ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH ZE MUZIKAL
AT THE PETA THEATER CENTER

The blockbuster musical that ran to full houses during its world premiere last February at the Cultural Center of the Philippines will have a rerun at the PETA Theater Center’s “Red Box” at #5 Sunny Side Drive, Bgy. Kristong Hari, Quezon City (at the back of Quezon City Sports Club) from April 21 to 30, with matinees at 2:30 PM (Sat/Sun) and evening shows at 7:30 PM (Fri/Sat/Sun).

Presented by Tanghalang Pilipino and the Bright Eyed Boys Events and Ideas Inc., the voluptuous and fearless superhero, returns for a limited engagement due to insistent public demand. Catch the ORIGINAL CAST with the addition of stage thespian Joey Paras alternating as the frilly-mouthed parlor assistant, Didi, in this extraordinary story about sincerity, love, hope and faith.

This may be your last chance to see this fabulous production so don't miss it! Watch ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH (ZE MUZIKAL) and laugh and fall in love as a parlorista superhero(ine) saves the world!

Created by Carlo Vergara
Stage Adaptation by Chris Martinez
Music, Lyrics & Musical Direction by Vincent DeJesus
Directed by Chris Millado

Tickets prices:

Orchestra P700
Lower Balcony Center P700
Upper/Side Balcony P600
Upper Monobloc P500

Original Cast Recording CD P350 (Limited Copies Only)

For ticket inquiries, bookings and reservations, please call the TP office at 832-3661 or 832-1125 locals 1620/1621 or 0920-9535419 and the Bright Eyed Boys Events & Ideas Inc. at 521-0412 / 0922-8712001 to 2004.