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Theater review: Apo jukebox musical tighter, funnier in new run

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Jeeves de Veyra

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/02/16/review1.jpg"/><figcaption>&#x27;Eto Na! Musikal nAPO&#x27; is back for a second run at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater. GA Fallarme, PS Express</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA -- A year ago, when there were rumors that there was going to be a musical based on the songs of the Apo Hiking Society, hardcore fans crossed their fingers that the musical would meet their lofty expectations.After seeing the labor of love of Robbie Guevara and Jonjon Martin that become “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO,” sighs of relief amid thunderous applause were heard from theater and Apo fans.And now, it&#x27;s back for a second run.This is not an origin story of the Apo Hiking Society. Not really. It does focus on college barkada of seven. However, the spotlight is not on the three who went on to become the OPM trio, but on the five who didn’t. They got the barkada dynamics down pat. They bully, they push, they stay, they leave, they return. But in the end, they watch each other’s backs. <div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/02/16/review2.jpg"/><figcaption>The musical focuses on a college barkada of seven. Lionel Guico</figcaption></figure></div>Ray, played by Jon Philippe Go, is torn between his love for music and the demands of his father (Raul Montesa) to pursue medicine as his mother’s (Neomi Gonzales) condition takes turns for the worse.Alfritz Blanche and Marika Sasaki’s chemistry as adorably cute couple Sonny and Jane is comedy gold. They’re that sort of couple that make you cringe with their sweet corniness. Their “Show Me A Smile” number is guaranteed to have the audience “awwww”ing and “yee-hee”ing with glee.Mark Bautista’s Rick is the lyricist of the group. Obsessed about writing a winning song for the barkada, he distances himself from his girlfriend Anna, played by Rita Daniela. Both show off their singing chops with their rendition of “Nakapagtataka.”Jobim Javier, who came out of nowhere last year, reprises his breakout role as Butch, who falls for Sab Jose’s dreamy “crush ng bayan” Michelle. “Mahirap Magmahal ng Siyota ng Iba” at “Panalangin,” where Butch figures prominently, are fun numbers.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/02/16/review3.jpg"/><figcaption>Jon Abella, Jef Flores, and Vyen Villanueva. Lionel Guico</figcaption></figure></div>Take a wild guess who Donnie, Jaime, and Bobby, played by Jon Abella, Jef Flores, and Vyen Villanueva, respectively are supposed to be? While not the center of the story, their eventual debut is nicely woven into the different threads of the barkada.Even the supporting players get their chance to have fun putting the “camp” in “Campus Cafeteria,” a nod to the noontime shows of the era. Some have their moments in the spotlight with a quick solo or a quick punch line.It takes a whole new level of Apo Hiking Society nerdiness to put, and even change, the emotional context putting the songs into unexpected places. For instance, “Bawat Bata” is a song that talks about the fun and happiness of being a child. In this case, it becomes an anthem of anger, frustration, and defiance. “Di Na Natuto” becomes a jazzy power ballad showcase for Mark Bautista. “When I Met You” was turned into a heartfelt wedding song. I found myself tearing up at that version of “Pag-Ibig” at a pivotal moment of the musical.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/02/16/review4.jpg"/><figcaption>A scene from &#x27;Eto Na! Musikal nAPO.&#x27; GA Fallarme, PS Express</figcaption></figure></div>While there is a full band up in the balcony, I thought that the unplugged moments, where a cast member or two is singing alone with just a guitar, was where the production hit its mark. Another was where songs would seamlessly end into another scene with a totally different feel and tone.That being said, &quot;Eto Na! Musikal nAPO&quot; should have an original cast recording. The twists and reinterpretations of the familiar songs we have grown up with deserve to be heard more than once.Kudos to 9Works for the world building that went into the musical. It seems as 9Works opened up a time capsule with the repression, exuberance, and paranoia of the Martial Law era and put it on stage. The musical even treads into very dark places that reflects the best and the very worst of the times.While anyone can find joy and entertainment in the musical, it’s the titos and titas of Manila that will get the best jokes. References to the &#x27;70s and jokes are aplenty and you have really got to pay attention to catch all the easter eggs. Even props on stage are jokes in themselves.So, what has changed? First and most important, the show seems to be tighter this time around. Jokes, breaks in the fourth wall, and gags seem to land with more punch. I felt that all three couples get a more equal share of the spotlight unlike the original run where Butch and Michelle seemed to be at the forefront. <div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/02/16/review5.jpg"/><figcaption>Jobim Javier and Sab Jose. Lionel Guico</figcaption></figure></div>Also new this time around is the use of digital backdrops, a callback to director Guevara who was one of the first to play around with these since 9Works&#x27; run of “Songs for A New World” back in 2009. With small tweaks here and there, it’s still mostly the same musical. And that’s a good thing!In Act 2’s entr’acte, a lone flute introduces “Pumapatak na Naman ang Ulan” that gives way to a violin and eventually an electric guitar. I thought this was symbolic of how the music of Jim, Danny and Buboy has stretched out across genres and across generations. The musical does a great job of introducing a new generation to the music their parents and grandparents grew up with, and at the same time, give a glimpse into their lives and their times.&quot;Eto Na! Musikal nAPO&quot; was already good last year, but this time around, it’s easily destined to be one of the greats of Philippine theater.The 9Works Theatrical and Globe Live!&#x27;s production of “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” runs at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC until March 17 with 8 p.m. shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and 2:30 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.

What has changed? First and most important, “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO” seems to be tighter this time around.

What has changed? First and most important, “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO” seems to be tighter this time around.