Katy

Isay Alvarez

The Philippine theater scene got off to a very good start when the revival staging of Katy finally opened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino. I’ve been looking forward to seeing this musical ever since it was first announced many months ago. Right after the opening performance of Rama Hari, I still remember telling theater veterans Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña, the show’s producers via their company Spotlight Artists Centre how much I was looking forward to Katy. I told them that just like Rama Hari, I was too young when it was first staged so having it revived now was just a case of perfect timing since I’ll be able to appreciate productions like this a lot more.

Scenes from the Backstage

Tricia Jimenez, Poppert Bernadas, Isay Alvarez and Epy Quizon

I was among the three people (a journalist, photographer and I) who were able to drop by the CCP a couple of days before the show formally opened. And we were able to see firsthand how everybody who was involved in the production was working hard in trying to put the show together as sets were being moved around, costumes were being fitted and rehearsals were in progress.

Despite the hustle and bustle, we were still able to have a few words with Isay Alvarez, who plays the title role of Katy de la Cruz in the musical. She said that she and the cast felt like pop stars when they did a promotional tour at various SM Malls. She was very pleased with the audience turnout with the people already in their seats even before the show started. And after every show, the audience always gave them a standing ovation. She confessed that it was difficult trying to get corporations to support the show but she’s grateful that SM supported them.

Sheng Belmonte

We were also able to see Gian Magdangal and Epy Quizon who share the same dressing room along with Tirso Cruz III. Gian said that the first act is a breeze for him compared to the second act where he had to portray an old and sick man. He had to work hard and do research at a hospital in order to prepare for this role which is different from what he has portrayed before. In Epy’s case, the biggest challenge for him in portraying his father, the legendery comedian Dolphy, was the dancing. He knows that his father was an excellent dancer and that whatever dancing skills he has doesn’t hold a candle at all to what his father could do.

During the trip backstage, I was able to see friendly faces among the cast like Poppert Bernadas and Celine Fabie who are both members of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers. I was also able to see Sheng Belmonte, who was stunning in her hot red costume that had me lost for words. Seeing friends who are part of the cast as well as industry veterans like Tirso Cruz III, Lou Veloso and Dulce whose body of work earned them my admiration and respect only made me look forward to Katy a lot more. Before we left backstage to let the actors rehearse, we were very fortunate to be invited to come back the day after to watch the press preview.

Robert Seña and Sheenly Gener

The Press Preview

Aicelle Santos and Gian Magdangal

Katy had its first show before a live audience when it had its press preview performance the night before it formally opened. Excitement was high even during the cocktails before the show started. And just like Rama Hari, I was very excited since I was only moments in seeing the entire production which would complete the whole picture since all I had for months were just fragments of the show like certain song numbers.

All I knew coming in was that Katy was all about Katy de la Cruz, reigned as the Queen of the bodabil stage many decades ago. And that the songs Ang Entablado ay Mundo and Minsan Ang Minahal Ay Ako came from this musical written by Jose Javier Reyes with music composed by Ryan Cayabyab. The original production's director, Nestor Torre also directs this revival staging.

Tirso Cruz III

With such strong material, it’s up to the cast to give stellar performances and thankfully they all did. Aicelle Santos, as the teenage Katy gave a career defining performance. I think that she’s one extremely fortunate person whose theater debut had her singing a duet with the one and only Dulce. As Olivia, a washed out singer whose career was on a decline, Dulce gave a heart wrenching performance highlighted by the memorable duet with Aicelle. This number gave me major goose bumps and it was one of the most applauded scenes in the whole musical.

I’ve seen Lou Veloso in Walang Kukurap and Stageshow last year and reprising his role as the director only proved that he is still one of the most consistent and dependable character actors in the industry. While Lou Veloso’s excellent performance was expected, Tirso Cruz III’s portrayal of Katy’s father caught me by surprise since I didn’t expect him to sing that well. Gian Magdangal as Peping fit the role during Act I when he was still Katy’s persistent suitor. But it was difficult for me to be convinced of his character, the philandering husband during Act II since he had to portray someone a lot older than he is.

One can’t talk about this production of Katy the Musical without mentioning Isay Alvarez. Not only does she play the adult Katy, but she and her husband Robert produced the musical along with co-producers Dr. Carl Balita and Tricia Amper-Jimenez. And she has been the face of Katy since this revival’s inception tirelessly promoting the show.

Isay’s part during Act I was limited only to the prologue for Leana Tabuñar and Aicelle played the role of Katy during her younger years. This setup only served to heighten the anticipation when Isay takes over the role of Katy upon her return in Act II. While I had a hard time trying to buy the idea of Gian as the old and sick Peping, I had no trouble at all in believing that Isay is Katy. Displaying a combination of spunk, sass and vulnerability, Isay’s performance gave me a clear picture of who Katy de la Cruz was.

Epy Quizon, Isay Alvarez, Aicelle Santos and Gian Magdangal

There was a line in the musical that really got through me when Katy said that the audience need not know what’s happening backstage upon learning some tragic news. This basically means that for a performer, the show must go on no matter what. And Isay acknowledged in her message in the souvenir program that she had to go through Katy rehearsals while coping with an illness. It felt surreal when I realized how poignant and relevant that line was to Isay at that moment.

Other noteworthy cast members were Katy’s friends played by Tricia Jimenez as Hanna San, Celine Beatrice Fabie as Patsy Patchochay and CJ Mangahis as Mary Walter. I do remember Mary Walter as I saw her play numerous grandmother roles and I still find it very hard to imagine that she used to be a Hawaiian dancer back in her youth. Sheng Belmonte and Epy Quizon also had their time on the spotlight as Sheng played the new generation of performers (sexy and vulgar) with Epy playing a young Dolphy showing his naughty side.

The press preview did have its share of technical setbacks like microphones not working and the speakers acting up during the overture. I also wish that the transition in between scenes could’ve been a lot smoother. But the strength of the material and the performances were more than enough for me to overlook the production’s shortfalls.

Jose Javier Reyes and Ryan Cayabyab

I was really pleased that live music accompaniment was provided by AMP Big Band led by the show’s musical director Mel Villena. The brass section really gave the music more life and I would’ve been very disappointed if the production had to resort to canned music.

Katy resumes this January 24, 2013 at the CCP Little Theater and will run until January 27, 2013. I’ve learned that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get tickets to the remaining dates The shows during the first week had been sold out. Those doesn’t bode well for those who want to watch the show and yet still haven't bought their tickets. But for Spotlight Artists Centre, the whole cast, creative team and production crew, it’s a good problem to have. I wouldn't be surprised if Katy would have a repeat run in the future.