Since it had its first run to critical and fan acclaim, original Filipino musical, “Ang Huling El Bimbo (AHEB)” has wowed fans of the theater and, of course, Eraserheads, whose rich music portfolio has been used to drive the production’s narrative. With sold out performances, spanning years of multiple stage reruns, housed at the Resorts World Manila (RWM)’s Newport Performing Arts Theater, “El Bimbo” is set to make a return, now online, for a great cause.
With the announcement of its upcoming digital release, Full House Theater Company, the stage production arm of RWM, forges a unique partnership with ABS-CBN, to utilize online platforms rarely or never explored before by theater productions to appeal to a more national audience of theater fans.
The production is now available for 48 hours, starting 12:01 a.m. of May 8 until 11:59 p.m. of May 9 exclusively on the ABS-CBN Network page on Facebook and its corresponding entertainment channel on YouTube. In its announcement, the production company behind the musical notes the goal of this digital release, “The show is free, but we ask viewers to show their love by donating to ABS-CBN Foundation’s Pantawid ng Pag-ibig for the benefit of families most affected by the quarantine,”
“Ang Huling El Bimbo” follows the coming-of-age of four friends, told in two time-frames from the 1990s and the present, with a sudden and somber twist of fate that tore them apart, leading to an unexpected reunion.
The musical’s first run in 2018 showcased the talents of Gian Magdangal, Jon Santos, OJ Mariano, joined by young stage actors Reb Atadero, Topper Fabregas, Boo Gabunada, Sheila Francisco and Tanya Manalang. Succeeding stage runs included more talents in its roster from Nicco Manalo, Gab Pangilinan, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Bibo Reyes, Phi Palmos, and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, who is also the production’s associate director.
The musical enjoyed several runs before its final curtain call in August 2019. Since the quarantine, the arts have been tapped by many not only to provide a small sense of comfort amid this time of anxiety, but more importantly, a tool used by many to drive campaigns for donations. It can be remembered that late last month, theater legend, Andrew Lloyd Webber, through the Actors Fund, streamed “The Phantom of the Opera” at the Royal Albert Hall presentation on limited time for free in support of various international organizations.
To watch the stage musical, see the YouTube upload below. More importantly, you can donate to ABS-CBN Foundation’s Pantawid ng Pag-ibig drive in aid of those who are in need during this quarantine.
Banner Image via Facebook: Full House Theater Company