Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Aegis' music goes to theater with PETA's Rak of Aegis


January 31-March 9, 2014
PETA Theater Center
No. 5 Meynard Drive, New Manila
Quezon CityPhilippines

Actor-musician Myke Salomon, in his usual wacky self, made a joke that there should be Rak of Aegis also during the time when the musical Rock of Ages was still having its sold out run in here. This joke was a light bulb moment for Maribel Legarda, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Artistic Director. Almost a couple of years later, the joke Rak of Aegis is now a brand new musical featuring the music of the legendary pop-rock band Aegis that is set to sweep the local theater scene starting on January 31, 2014 and will go on for six weekends until March 9, 2014 at the PETA Theater Center.

Isay Alvarez-Seña and Robert Seña

A total of 20 songs from the Aegis catalog, ranging from chart topping hits to unreleased gems will be belted out by the cast led by Isay Alvarez-Seña, Robert Seña, Aicelle Santos, and Joan Bugcat. Also included in the cast are Kalila Aguilos, Ron Alfonso, Jet Barrun, Kakai Bautista, Poppert Bernadas, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Neomi Gonzales, Pepe Herrera, Carlon Matobato, Julienne Mendoza, John Moran, Jerald Napoles, Gie Onida, Phillip Palmos, Myke Salomon, Paeng Sudayan, and Gold Villar.

Rak of Aegis is described as a story of love, fame and resilience set in the Ondoy devastated village of Villa Venizia. At the center of the story is Aileen (Acielle Santos alternating with Joan Bugcat), a young mall promo girl aka promodizer who is seeking fame via uploading videos online to support her family. And love gets in the way not only for Aileen but also for her father and the rest of the residents of Villa Venizia.

Aicelle Santos and Rak of Aegis cast

This musical is the brainchild of director Maribel Legarda and writer Liza Magtoto, the same duo behind Care Divas, PETA’s hit comedy musical. Musical arrangement and musical direction is by Myke Salomon. The rest of the artistic team includes Gio Gahol (choreography), Jonjon Villareal (lighting design), Mio Infante (production design), Carlo Pagunaling (costume design), Maco Custodio (shoe design), and Joan Pamintuan (accessory design).

During the press launch held at the PETA Theater Center, I was able to hear Aicelle Santos belt the songs out in the same key as Aegis, extending beyond the range that she normally performs as an alto with her trio La Diva. It was also teased that comedienne Kakai Bautista will have one solo aria which could possibly one of the most highly anticipated scenes in the whole musical. Aicelle and Kakai along with the rest of the cast auditioned for their roles with the exception of the Señas: Isay and Robert. The real life couple told the press that this is one of the rare times that the two of them would not be playing a couple on stage. Instead, they would be playing former lovers who end up with someone else. This adds another layer to the story in which the tension and unresolved conflicts will be brought to light as their village remains submerged in flood waters.

Kakai Bautista and Rak of Aegis cast

Myke Salomon, during a brief chat, told me that it was not only Aicelle who would be singing the songs in their original key but also Robert Seña. Aegis is known for the lung busting, vocal cord tearing tunes (usually of heartbreak) sung by the band’s vocalists Juliet and Mercy Sunot. And it would be definitely very interesting to hear Robert’s attack with these songs that have ingrained themselves in Philippine pop culture.

All this may have started as a joke, but as opening night draws near, I can’t help but feel the excitement of hearing Aegis music on stage, seeing how PETA will pull of the arena staging with actual water and how the production will fare as it goes head to head with a major touring production.

The cast and crew of Rak of Aegis

Schedule of performances:

January 31, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
February 1, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
February 2, 2014, 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM

February 7, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
February 8, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
February 9, 2014, 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM

February 14, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
February 15, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
February 16, 2014, 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM

February 21, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
February 22, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
February 23, 2014, 10:00 AM & 8:00 PM

February 27, 2014, 8:00 PM
February 28, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
March 1, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
March 2, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

March 6, 2014, 8:00 PM
March 7, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
March 8, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM
March 9, 2014, 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM

For inquiries:
PETA Theater Center 725-6244 local 23, (0916) 437-6551, peta.theatercenter@gmail.com
TicketWorld 891-9999

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