Theater review: A whirlwind bromance in ‘Maxie the Musicale’

A new bromance craze has hit town.

 

“Maxie the Musicale,” the theater adaptation of the 2005 award-winning film “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros,” captured the audience’s pink hearts with its love story set in Romeo and Juliet fashion in the slums of Sampaloc, Manila.

 

The 12-year-old gay boy Maxie fell in love with a cop. It could have been an easy puppy love for Maxie, only that his family were composed of rogue elements with his father Paco running an illegal numbers game and a buy-and-sell business of stolen cellphones, and his brothers Boy and Bogs playing their fathers' accomplices.

 

This play directed by Dexter M. Santos provided a rollercoaster of entertainment. It will make you laugh out loud, cry, and then, laugh once more. More than the kilig and funny moments, one thing is for sure – the play will transport you back to those days of kulitan with your family, times when things were simpler.

 

More than the love story, this play is about family relations tested amid the filth inside and outside their home.

 

Isang araw magigising na lang

Ang iyong pusong

Nasugatan

Mauubos din ang luha at sakit

At ‘di na magtatanong kung bakit

 

—Kupal

 

No doubt a belter like Jayvhot Galang would fit the role of Maxie perfectly in this musical, never mind that this was his first play. The 15-year-old, a self-confessed veteran of amateur singing contests, seemed hesitant to sing in falsetto but when he hit those birit notes, he definitely carried it with much grace and prowess.

 

With his sexy looks, Jojo Riguerra as Victor the cop captivated the audience. Although he was not reaching those high notes like Jayvhot, his singing matched his macho image as a cop with a soft heart.

 

Meanwhile Jay Gonzaga as Bogs flaunted his abs during the first scenes, distracting the viewers. However, those abs were not enough to make the audience forget the other actors who were part of Maxie’s family, namely Roeder Camañag as Paco (the father) and OJ Mariano as Boy (the eldest brother). The chemistry Maxie had with these characters was astounding. As an ensemble, they were playful and sweet. Being experienced theater musical actors, their voice quality cannot be held in question.

 

The ensemble provided the show with a “fun factor” especially Maxie’s groupies, the Bekimons with members Nar (played by Aaron Ching), Leslie (Nomer Limatog, Jr.), and Monique (Teetin Villanueva). The more experienced Aaron Ching led the group. The ensemble's remarkable choreography throughout the play added to the audience’s amusement.

 

Tanggal-problema

Lungkot may pahinga

Ang mundo ay masaya!

Ituloy ang piyesta

Malayo ang kuwaresma

Walang pagkaing

Mapapanis

Idaos ang gabi ng love

At world peace

Lahat tinatanggap,

Pati pagpapanggap

Ganyan ang mundo ng beau con

Lahat tayo nasa beau con.

 

—Beaucon (beauty contest)

 

It is the movie but not the movie. This is how playwright Nick Pichay described his work, and one cannot help but agree. Throughout the show you will see and hear familiar scenes or lines from the movie; however, the music and lyrics took it to the next level of artistry. The lyrics were poetry, and the music was a combination of pop and rock, and a twist of rap – the “Manila sound” of this generation and Maxie’s.

 

What adds to the magic of Maxie the Musicale was the live band during the performance. They were so good you would not recognize the music was live. As for the technical direction, it was simply brilliant from lights design to execution. The hue of pink and blue coalesced with the set and sounds.

 

Although the set was somehow reminiscent of Anton Juan’s “Three Penny Opera” in 2009, it nonetheless captured the slums of Sampaloc with a backdrop of printed tabloid articles and a craftwork of dos-por-dos lumber for the shanties.

 

One weakness of the play was its length. For two and a half hours, the play dragged in some parts, especially during the hilarious “beaucon” (beauty contest). It was such a riot but it did not necessarily move the story forward.

 

Overall, Bit by Bit Company’s reliving of Maxie in a theater musical should be experienced. For a production that took two years to prepare, it was an offer simply irresistible! Be ready to laugh out loud and cry your heart out.

 

Sino ang mapupuksa

Ang mabuti o masama

Sa lugar na kung saan

Iisa ang kulay

Ng dilim at liwanag

Iisa ang kulay

Ng dilim at liwanag.

 

—Ipis-ipis | Paalam Mang Paco

 

—KG/VC, GMA News

 

“Maxie the Musicale” runs until December 8 at the PETA Theater Center. For details and inquiries, visit https://www.facebook.com/MaxieTheMusicale.