Ronnabelle Lora

Here’s a peek at what ‘We Aren’t Kids Anymore’ has to offer

Article (news)

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WAKA Cast

Stephanie Rose Manhit

Push Team

<p>It was a packed house for the premiere night of <em>We Aren’t Kids Anymore</em> by Drew Gasparini held on May 1 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater in Circuit Makati.</p><p><em>We Aren’t Kids Anymore</em> is the latest offering of Barefoot Theater Collaborative. It talks about the growing pains of navigating adulthood, and the mix of emotions that come along with it. <em>We Aren’t Kids Anymore</em> is literally that point where one finds themselves at that threshold of crossing over from being a child to an adult, of having no clear idea of what to do or how to even begin navigating the road ahead, yet having to do it anyway.</p><p>The Manila staging of <em>We Aren’t Kids Anymore</em> is headlined by Myke Salomon, Gab Pangilinan, Gio Gahol, Maronne Cruz, and Luigi Quesada. Also joining them are Katrine Sunga and Gelo Lantaco.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747289109864WAKA cast.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Here’s a peek at what ‘We Aren’t Kids Anymore’ has to offer"/></div><p>Not to be forgotten are the musical talents of Farley Asuncion on keyboard, Tin Vargas on bass, Jordan Amaca on guitar, and Karmi Santiago on drums. The production is directed by Ren Zamora, with musical direction by Myke Salomon and Farley Asuncion.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747295526479WAKA 4__.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><br/></div><p>The lobby featured a whimsical backdrop of vibrant colors, stacked tires reminiscent of kindergarten playgrounds, and bowls of sweet candies. Along with the tickets were bingo cards filled with adulting milestones such as “paid rent with your own money”, “own a menthol inhaler or essential oil roller”, and “back pain”, among others, that were fun to cross out, if only to check just how “adult” one was already.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747295607476WAKA 5__.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747290135970WAKA 2__.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Here’s a peek at what ‘We Aren’t Kids Anymore’ has to offer" style="width:700px"/></div><p>There was also an interactive installation that invited the audience to “write a message to your younger self”. </p><div><em><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747295558678WAKA 1_.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>We Aren’t Kids Anymore</em> is presented as a song cycle, or a series of individually complete songs that share a central theme, designed to be performed as a single musical entity. The flow is not linear, nor is there a defined plot. Rather, the 90-minute production presents a series of songs that each feature a standalone moment.</div><p>The set design is simple, and interestingly situates the live band right in the middle of it. The stage is set in the middle of the room, giving a more intimate feel and more personal connection. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747295640938WAKA 3__.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div></div><p>Thespians and industry friends came to support the cast. PUSH ABS-CBN was able to touch base with <em>The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee</em>’s Shanaia Gomez, as well as <em>One More Chance: The Musical</em>’s Sam Concepcion and CJ Navato in an exclusive interview after the show to find out their personal takeaways. All of them are active in the theater scene, and can often be spotted supporting their fellow actors in local productions.</p><p>“I really loved the show. I feel like it perfectly captured growing up and all the different emotions that come with it. I feel like there are lots of moments where you can relate to the song and you can relate to the other characters. There are parts that tug at your heart also. It makes you step back and realize how fun and difficult and how complex growing up really could be,” shared Shanaia.</p><p>“I loved the cast, and the music was just beautiful,” said Sam. “At some point in everyone’s life, we have to face the reality of coming of age, being an adult, and finding ourselves in these responsibilities that we never really thought of as children. I really like how all five of them were different, but somehow something that we all can relate to at many points in our lives. That one song at the end that says something along the lines of ‘I will keep going’ is my takeaway: that better things are coming our way no matter how hard things may get.”</p><p>“Wala talagang mistake sa buhay natin; lahat ng pinagdaraanan natin, meron siyang reason. At lahat ng mga taong nakakasalamuha natin, meron silang mission sa buhay natin,” reflected CJ. “We can’t keep depending on luck. You have to do something with our lives. You’re never really stuck; you’re just not doing something about it. ‘Yung mga sadness… thank God talaga for the people na dumadating sa buhay natin. Wala talagang mistakes. Makakarating din talaga tayo sa patutunguhan natin.”</p><p>Catch <em>We Aren’t Kids Anymore</em>, playing at Power Mac Spotlight Theatre until May 25, 2025 only.</p>

<p>TV and theater actors Shanaia Gomez, Sam Concepcion, and CJ Navato share their takeaways after the premiere night of Barefoot Theater Collaborative’s ‘We Aren’t Kids Anymore’. </p>

TV and theater actors Shanaia Gomez, Sam Concepcion, and CJ Navato share their takeaways after the premiere night of Barefoot Theater Collaborative’s ‘We Aren’t Kids Anymore’.