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MANILA -- Actor-director Topper Fabregas and actor-composer director Vincent de Jesus will join forces with director-writer Jade Castro and choreographer JM Cabling for the stage musical version of the beloved teen drama series "Tabing Ilog."

"'Tabing Ilog' is such a beloved show and now it gets to take on new life on the stage. This show is also ABS CBN’s first theatrical venture. Personally, the pressure is on but I am so excited to be collaborating with Vince, Jade (on his first foray as playwright) and the rest of the artistic team. This is a dream," Fabregas, who will direct the musical, told ABS-CBN News on Friday.

Castro wrote the book, while De Jesus composed the music and will serve as musical director. Riza Romero (production design), Meliton Roxas (lighting design) and Glendfford Malimban (sound design) complete the musical's creative team.

The announcement was made on Thursday night via the official social media accounts of "Tabing Ilog."

The musical is produced by Star Hunt, the talent-search arm of ABS-CBN. In the past few days, Star Hunt has uploaded on its official social media accounts several teasers about the project.

• READ: ‘Tabing Ilog’ returns — as a musical

De Jesus told ABS-CBN News that they are targeting a running time of less than two hours with 12 to 15 songs.

This includes the original theme song for the "Tabing Ilog" TV series was composed and performed by Barbie Almalbis.

"It wouldn't be 'Tabing Ilog' without the 'Tabing-Ilog' song," said De Jesus, who composed some of the best musicals in the past two decades, including "Himala," "Changing Partners," and "Care Divas."

Asked about working with Fabregas, he told ABS-CBN News: "It’s always fun to work with Topper not only because he is a dear friend but also a very focused director."

Fabregas most recent directorial assignment was Stephen Sondheim's "Company," which was staged by Upstart Productions for a limited two-weekend run in September last year.

Castro, meanwhile, is writer-director of the indie favorites "Endo" and "Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington."

"Tabing Ilog," the teen series, aired from 1999 to 2003 every Saturday afternoon. Initially conceptualized as a local version of the American teen drama "Dawson's Creek," "Tabing-Ilog" dealt with teen concerns like falling in and out of love for the first time, having a troubled family, difficulties in school, among others. These friends all meet by the river bank -- thus the title --that serves as their hideaway, their version of a secret garden where they can be themselves as they deal with life's ups and downs.

At the time, "Tabing Ilog" gained a cult following among teenagers and young adults, who are now in their mid-30s to mid-40s. It starred ABS-CBN's then young talents John Lloyd Cruz, Kaye Abad, Jodie Sta. Maria, Baron Geisler, Paolo Contis, Desiree Del Valle and Paula Peralejo.

Years later, it was aired on Studio 23 and on Jeepney TV. In April last year, it had been made available on iWant.

Theater followers are excited to know who are the actors who will play the main characters Rovic and his love interest Eds, Fonzy, Badong, Corinne, George and Anne.

Star Hunt has not released other details about the project but assured they will be make an announcement in the coming days.