MANILA, Philippines—Four years after it last breathed new life to the hits of iconic Filipino rock band, Eraserheads, and close to three years since it hit mainstream global success for its digital release, the acclaimed musical “Ang Huling El Bimbo” will once again make its way to the live stage with the announcement of its new and returning cast of characters this 2023.
As shared by Full House Theater Company, the official theater performance company of Newport World Resorts, the cast will include fresh, up-and-coming actors and singers chosen through a July audition that will undoubtedly give the play a zesty revamped perspective.
The cast now includes voice teacher Katrine Sunga as Joy, budding singer and talent competition graduate Anthony Rosaldo as young Hector, indie folk musician Bullet Dumas as Emman, award-winning theater actor Paw Castillo as young Emman, and veteran recording artist and music producer Niño Alejandro as Anthony.
Image courtesy of Newport World Resorts
Meanwhile, they will be supported by the return of previous cast members, most notably Gab Pangilinan, off her equally well-loved portrayal in 2022 stage hit “Mula Sa Buwan” as young Joy, Gian Magdangal, following his recent stage triumph in “Carousel” las Hector, and Topper Fabregas as young Anthony, who have been slated to reprise their roles in the story, which has bought positive reviews and criticism to light. Also reprising their roles are Jamie Wilson as Sergeant Banlaoi and Leonor Will Never Die‘s Sheila Francisco as Tiya Dely.
As previously shared, the cast now include Teetin Villanueva, Anna Francesca Quimno, Natasha Cabrera, Miah Canton, Julia Santiago, Kalaylah Villanueva, Mica Fajardo, Cara Barredo, Liway Perez, and Abi Sulit as members of the female ensemble. As such, the male ensemble include Jep Go, Red Nuestro, Rapah Manalo, Jasper Jimenez, Stephen Viñas, Jules Dela Paz, Eduardson Evengelio, Mark Anthony Grantos, Gie Onida, Jordan Andrews, Joshua Bajado, Francis Gatmaytan, Rofe Villarino, and Fritz Esase.
Staging in April 2023, Newport Performing Arts Theater at Newport World Resorts will host the eagerly anticipated musical, which will be directed by Dexter Santos and written by Dingdong Novenario.
The story unfolds as four college students who are friends are confronted by a dark, life-altering tragedy. As the plot of “AHEB” develops, the musical elements from classic Eraserheads songs have captured audiences both as impactful narrative devices, but also for bringing a powerful vehicle to ’90s nostalgia.
To date, the award-winning production staged more than 100 shows since its premiere in 2018 until the sold-out reruns in March 2019 and July 2019. At the height of the pandemic, in 2020, the ABS-CBN streaming of the recorded performance of the show raised more than Php 12 million in donations for ABS-CBN Foundation, amassing 7 million views in 48 hours, while collecting more fans and supporters than ever reached by its stage performance.
In 2021, the musical returned as a live concert for the homecoming show “Ang Muling El Bimbo”. The announcement of the new cast for its 2023 return also came on the heels of the recent historic reunion concert of the Filipino rock icons, Eraserheads at the tail-end of 2022, attended by fans of the band’s illustrious hit-making journey.
With additional text by Leo Balante
For inquiries on bulk and show buyers, contact the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team via Pie Olalde at 0917 872 8765, Jimmy Iglesias at 0917 872 8734, and Girah Manaligod at 0917 872 8309.