Ricky Lee hopes Philippine theater would reach regions, provinces

With numerous theater plays and musicals showing up this year, the National Artist for Film and Broadcast Ricky Lee said he is very pleased to see different generations watching each and every show.

During a quick interview with GMA News Online at the preview night of "Once On This Island: A Musical," Lee shared his view of how bright the Philippine theatre is today and in the future.

"Yes, nakakatuwa, parang all over the place since last year. At lahat ng klase, Filipino originals, adaptations, at maski mga concerts ang dami ngayon so how nice, how good the feeling," he said.

“When you look at them maraming kabataan e, hindi gaya namin noong napanood namin mga broadway originals years back, like this one. Mga bagong generations.”

Although theater appreciation in the country has improved compared to the past years, Lee expressed that he still wants it to expand and even reach those in regions or provinces.

“Although dumami na, sana mas dumami pa 'yung original Filipino plays at musicals at sana mas lumaki pa yung audience, to the point na may mga lugar mas mura, mas affordable, mas mapapanood nila,” he said.

“And I hope eventually dumating 'yung time na 'yung mga musicals natin dadalhin sa mga regions sa mga probinsya, sa mga lugar where people don’t really afford to buy tickets. I hope 'yung musical mismo ang dadayo sa mga tao. Pero sa ngayon I’m so glad na dinadayo ng mga tao ang musicals,” he added.

Ricky Lee is the writer of the films "Cain at Abel," and "Himala," as well as the books "Para Kay B," "Kulang na Silya at Iba Pang Kwentong Buhay," the scriptwriting manual "Trip to Quiapo," and many more.

He is also a content consultant for GMA Network.

Asked about his experience working on “Pulang Araw,” he said “Masarap dahil ibang klase 'yung show e, napaka-hirap niya. Madugo but hindi siya 'yung usual na pinalalabas.”

Lee is set to launch his latest book, "Kabilang Sa Mga Nawawala/Among The Disappeared," at the Manila International Book Fair 2024. —JCB, GMA Integrated News