Thursday, June 19, 2014

Hit musical Rak of Aegis returns


June 20-August 31, 2014
PETA Theater Center
No. 5 Meynard Drive, New Manila
Quezon CityPhilippines

Earlier this year, Philipine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) musical Rak of Aegis had a stellar run despite going head to head with a big budgeted, wicked musical by a foreign touring company. So it’s no surprise that the very Filipino story featuring love triangles, long shot dreams, and natural calamities told through the music of legendary rock band Aegis returns for a longer run from June 20 up to August 31, 2014 at the PETA PHINMA Theater to start PETA's 47th Theater Season.

The cast of Rak of Aegis

Returning to reprise their roles are Aicelle Santos playing the lead role Aileen, the young woman from Villa Venezia who dreams of becoming a YouTube sensation; real life couple Isay Alvarez-Seña and Robert Seña, playing Mary Jane and Kiel whose romantic past resurfaces amid the flood that has blanketed their subdivision. Returning cast members include Kalila Aguilos, Kakai Bautista, Neomi Gonzales, Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, Nor Domingo, Julienne Mendoza, Ron Alfonso, Phillip Palmos, Gold Villar, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Jet Barrun, Paeng Sudayan, Carlon Matobato, and John Moran. 

Arnel Ignacio, Isay Alvarez-Seña and Aicelle Santos

Rak of Aegis’ rerun welcomes new cast members Kimverlie Molina (a vocal power house whose timbre is very much in keeping with Aegis' vocalists) as Aileen, Oj Mariano as Kiel, Arnel Ignacio as Fernan, and Jimmy Marquez as Jewel, while choreographer Gio Gahol and Abigail Sulit join the ensemble. Rak of Aegis’ creative team is composed of director Maribel Legarda, playwright Liza Magtoto, and musical director Myke Salomon.


I had the opportunity to catch the musical on its initial run. The story is indeed very Filipino, reminiscent of the guilty pleasure comedy films of the 1990’s, complete with musical production numbers. Aicelle proved that her Katy! stint was no beginner’s luck as she delivered yet another solid performance. Robert and Isay, with their decades of theater experience, showed great chemistry playing former lovers. One of the most unexpected surprises in the musical was scene stealer Jerald Napoles who played Tolits, one of Aileen’s suitors. Another actor who also almost stole the show with a gender bending "duet" was Philip Palmos as Jewel.


There were times when I thought that the tension was broken especially when the scene shifted the other characters’ respective storylines. It smacked right to my impatience when I couldn’t wait much longer to see how certain plot lines would be resolved (like with whom Aileen end up with) but had to go through to see how Kenny (Poppert Bernadas) would earn the approval of his mother Mary Jane.

Aegis band members join the cast in a post show interview

Undoubtedly, the real star of the show was the music of Aegis. And it was a treat to be in the performance where the band Aegis was in attendance. It was like watching two shows at once, seeing the actual musical and trying to catch the reaction of the band members especially during the musical numbers. And the band members were very pleased by what they saw since they were usually the first to applaud whenever they recognized which of their songs were being played. Finally, the band made a special encore performance right after the curtain call which only cemented their status as one of the music acts that have made a significant impact in the Philippine music industry. I was very pleased to learn that Aegis CD’s on sale were flying off the shelves after every show which meant that people do want to relive more of the show afterwards. And now, people have more chances to experience (or experience again) Rak of Aegis as the show returns for almost 70 performances for their second run.


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

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