The Noli Me Tangere, the Musical Experience Part 4

The Closing Night

Cris Villonco signing autographs

I thought that seeing Noli Me Tangere, the Musical twice at the Cultural Center of the Philippines was enough for me. I could’ve said that I was done with it since I was able to see both Gian Magdangal and Mark Bautista play the role of Crisostomo Ibarra alongside with the very solid Cris Villonco as Maria Clara. I even mentioned that if I see it another time, I would’ve robbed someone else a chance to see it for the first time since seats at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) had been in such high demand. Because of this high demand, Tanghalang Pilipino extended the run to include two more shows and I was extremely fortunate to witness the last performance of this extremely successful production.

Going into the theater, I was trying to remember the moments that really got through me the last time I saw it. Since weeks have already passed since then, my memory of the musical was no longer as clear so there was also a sense of anticipation in revisiting this after some time. But there were some musical numbers that have remained on my mind and I did find myself humming to it which is a testament to the strength of the libretto by National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera and the music by Ryan Cayabyab.

Right from the beginning, I sensed that the cast and almost every technical aspect went on smoothly with nary a glitch. Mark Bautista played Crisostomo Ibarra during the closing night and he vastly improved since his opening performance which was rough in some parts. He had more control with his voice and he no longer strained as much in the higher registers that really pushed him to the limit vocally. I regret not seeing Gian Magdangal for a second time but he did a surprise cameo appearance as Maria Clara’s suitor Linares.

Gian Magdangal and RAd

Most of the press releases and publicity leading to the opening of this musical was centered mostly on the participation of Mark Bautista and Gian Magdangal who are both currently visible in the mainstream media via their weekly television shows. Theater veteran and versatile actress Cris Villonco didn’t have as much hype but every review that I’ve read had sung her praises. As for me, I would rather have a good word of mouth than a lot of hype. And during this particular evening, Cris Villonco really gave her everything and performed as if there was no tomorrow. She held nothing back and didn’t seem to care if she lost her voice the following day. Overall, I did feel that the three really raised their game in order to meet the challenges that their roles presented. I couldn’t be more pleased to see them stepping up and exceeding expectations than being the reason in dragging the production down which fortunately didn’t happen at all in here.

There were some things in the production that I only noticed during the last night that I wasn’t able to see the previous times that I’ve seen the musical. One example is the scene when Ibarra was arrested and was led downstairs with the company at the sides shunning him. I noticed that the music, choreography and the blocking was essentially the same of an earlier scene with the Leproso. It was only during my third time seeing the show that I noticed that when Ibarra was eventually treated like a leper and to think that he was a celebrated personality earlier in the play.

Audie Gemora with RAd

I surprised myself once again when I found myself holding back tears quite early during the second act when Maria Clara was confronted with the two letters that revealed her true parentage. This was when I noticed that she really went for broke and she was responsible for the scattered sniffs that I heard inside the theater and I bet that these people weren’t stricken with colds. Another moment that really got through me was near the end when Ibarra and Maria Clara were saying their farewells to each other. There was a part when Cris sang in monotone while the accompanying chords build and swell to the emotional number Paalam na Pag-Ibig (Farewell My Love). I never imagined that singing in monotone could contain such emotions that I regret not wearing something thicker and warmer since I got covered with goose bumps at this exact moment.

To say that this production was a phenomenal success is still an understatement. I was able to see director Audie Gemora weeks after the final show and I heard him say that some people were still inquiring about Noli. I did find it very amusing that I was finally able to see the show alongside a younger audience who were enthusiastic and showered each musical number with generous applause. This musical has been staged before and I could now see why it has become one of the much acclaimed local musicals. I really hope that the plans for a national and an international tour will push through so that more audiences here and abroad could see this masterpiece.

Part 1 The Music Run Through with Mr. Ryan Cayabyab

Part 2 The Opening Night

Part 3 The Other Ibarra and Other Scenes