The anticipation doesn’t stop for the “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical” as the all-original production officially opens at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, promising a cast that’s set to bring resplendent renditions of our beloved songs from the one of the most quintessential Filipino bands in the ’90s.
Directed by Dexter Santos with artistic directors Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Michael Williams, playwright Rody Vera, and musical director Ejay Yatco, this theater production will share the story of four remarkable women as they navigate the ebbs and intricacies of existence.
Kyle Napuli, Marynor Madamesila, Natasha Cabrera, Tex Ordonez. Image courtesy of Newport World Resorts Musicals.
The four actresses are a glorious mix of stage favorites and emerging young talents Tex De Leon (Norma), Natasha Cabrera (Girlie), Marynor Madamesila (Jen), and Kyle Napuli (Aiza).
Adding to this stellar cast are supporting actors Jasper Jimenez (Tito Ralph), Nicco Manalo (Mang Jose), Noel Comia Jr. (Tikmol), and Pepe Herrera (Mr. Suave), with other talents such as Boo Gabunada (Buloy), Jules Dela Paz (Murlock), MC Dela Cruz (Ric), Rapah Manalo (Charvis), Stephen Viñas (Gilbert), all joined by the dynamic female and male ensemble.
When asked about the premise of the plot, as even up to this day, it still causes a bit of confusion to the public due to how it’s often described ambiguously, Santos insists they want to keep it as vague as possible for everyone to experience a grander surprise when watching it themselves.
‘Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical’ director Dexter Santos. Image courtesy of Newport World Resorts Musicals.
Though if there’s something he can reveal, it’s that everything is intertwined in this “acid trip” together—the past, the present, the future—in what’s also been dubbed as the ‘Parokyaverse’.
The musical features 47 songs from Parokya ni Edgar’s discography. If you’re wondering what songs are included specifically, Yatco makes it known that for the classic hits that most of us pull a deep well of nostalgic memories from, it was imperative to include them in the list of songs that are going to be used for the musical, rearranged for the story to be conveyed effectively.
“Una po naming ginawa ni Rody, pinakinggan po namin ng two months lahat yung buong discoraphy ng Parokya (ni Edgar),” Yatco further shares regarding the creative process and determining what would seamlessly fit the vast storyline they have envisioned for its narrative, before adding towards the end that the show itself is “a mix of text storytelling, and also knowing the history of the band and giving honor to that.”
‘Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical’ musical director EJ Yatco, with (left) Stephen Vinas, and playwright Rody Vera. Image courtesy of Newport World Resorts Musicals.
Later on, Vera lightly discloses his own personal experience in creating the show, quipping how he saw being from another era of music an advantage due to the beauty of starting from scratch. “Ibang panahon ako e ‘no? So, naging advantage ‘yun sa akin ano, kasi pinakinggan ko talaga lahat yung seven albums. Kahit yung ‘di kasama dun sa full music pinaghahanap ko talaga para lang makumpleto ko, para masabi ko na wala akong tinira. At nakita ko na isa pa lang malaking universe ang nagawa ng Parokya ni Edgar songs, at lahat ng mga pangalan ng cast, ay makikita niyo dun sa buong—sa lahat—ng nagawang kanta ng Parokya ni Edgar, pati na rin yung mga fillers nila.”
With those details alone, it gives the people who are already interested with this show so much to be excited about. It’s thrilling enough to have your favorite tunes converted into a spectacular performance, to watch a story unfold in the interpretations of the makers of the musical, and even Chito Miranda himself, the frontman of Parokya ni Edgar, expresses his absolute admiration about its production and how what they once produced as amateurs gets to be transformed into a professional work like this.
“Gusto ko na ngang i-message yung mga kabanda ko na ‘you should hear kung ano yung ginawa nila sa mga songs natin’,” Miranda comments, revered by what he got the chance to see at the press conference when all the cast sang a beautiful medley of their music, as well as knowing what’s in store for those who will witness the show.
The cast and creatives of Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical. Image courtesy of Newport World Resorts Musicals.
Celebrate the electrifying tracks of Parokya ni Edgar and experience the magic of ‘Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical’ as it brings it on the stage starting on April 26 at the Newport Peforming Arts Theater until June 8.