Vlad Bunoan

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Bar Boys the Musical

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:844px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762330003113572650692_18021038594786369_5044970388910873984_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Sheila Francisco and the cast of &#x27;Bar Boys.&#x27; <em>Barefoot Theatre Collaborative</em></span></span></span></div><p>It is difficult to believe that only a year separates the debut of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative&#x27;s &quot;Bar Boys: The Musical&quot; at the Spotlight Theater in Circuit Makati and its current staging at the expansive Hyundai Hall at Ateneo de Manila University&#x27;s Areté.</p><p>What began as a stage adaptation of Kip Oebanda’s 2017 film has now evolved into something far more potent — a theatrical force that not only stands on its own but speaks directly to the times.</p><p>Pat Valera’s adaptation didn’t merely transpose the film to the stage. He retained the core story of four law students navigating the rigors of law school and the complexities of friendship, but he also injected the narrative with a deeper interrogation of justice, idealism, and the law’s moral ambiguities. The result was a musical that was both loving and probing, heartfelt yet politically charged.</p><p>This latest iteration, however, is far more than a simple rerun but a full-scale revival — a creative reimagining that elevates the production&#x27;s political urgency to meet the fierce energy of the current moment.</p><p>Crucially, it is fueled by a significant shift in the country&#x27;s political atmosphere. The original run emerged from a position of defeat, encapsulating the mourning and loss of idealism felt after the 2022 presidential elections. This current production, however, channels a collective, active indignation, directly tapping into the recent fervor of anti-corruption protests and legislative investigations. The musical&#x27;s message has transitioned from a lament to a battle cry: the fight for integrity is no longer over — it’s just beginning — and that anger gives this &quot;Bar Boys&quot; a vital, timely, and essential relevance.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:844px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762330062074572457545_18021038501786369_1241233576755384622_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">The cast of &#x27;Bar Boys.&#x27; <em>Barefoot Theatre Collaborative</em></span></span></span></div><p>The decision to move from the limited traverse staging of the Spotlight to the traditional proscenium setup of the Hyundai Hall necessitated a radical change in production design, which director Mikko Angeles and his creative team seized brilliantly. They injected the musical with a sense of spectacle that was simply impossible in the black box. The sets are grander, featuring striking two-level structures and a massive, commanding bust of Lady Justice — an ever-present, silent judge over the proceedings. </p><p>Choreographer Jomelle Era provides constant verve and action, filling the large stage with dynamic, purposeful movement. While the original run occasionally dragged, the energy and momentum of this staging, complete with compelling, large-scale ensemble numbers, allow the three-hour running time to simply zip through.</p><p>Admittedly, the move sacrifices some of the intense, palpable intimacy of the original staging, where the emotion felt close enough to touch. However, what the production loses in quiet drama, it gains exponentially in theatricality, boldness, and sheer scale. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The evolution of the Fab Four</strong></div><p>The four titular actors — Alex Diaz, Benedix Ramos, Jerom Canlas, and Omar Uddin — who were enjoying their stage breakthroughs just a year ago, now carry the show with the authority of seasoned performers. Their newfound confidence allows them to deliver performances that are not just strong, but more precisely defined.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:844px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762330147974571308698_18019971887786369_2182838589539040243_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Alex Diaz, Benedix Ramos and the cast of &#x27;Bar Boys.&#x27; <em>Barefoot Theatre Collaborative</em></span></span></span>This political urgency is best channeled through the character of Chris Abueva, played by Diaz. His anger, driven by his character’s hatred and estrangement from his corrupt lawyer father, is now more controlled yet explosive and resonates deeply with the current climate. Diaz’s intensity is beautifully balanced by Ramos, who remains the emotional heart of the story. Ramos displays a clearer, stronger grasp of his character’s dramatic arc, culminating in a powerful Act 2 scene with Sheila Francisco as his stern but supportive mentor. This exchange serves as a crucial narrative turning point, reinforcing the core message of perseverance in the face of political losses.</div><p>Meanwhile, Uddin has stepped into an entirely new league after marked turns in &quot;Delia D&quot; and &quot;Next to Normal&quot; (with Ramos). His stage presence is visibly stronger, and his character’s narrative feels much meatier. He truly dominates the powerful bar results number, &quot;Everything Today,&quot; a sequence that has always been a high point of the musical but is now amplified by Uddin’s compelling performance and the expansive staging. Canlas also steps up to match the ensemble&#x27;s evolution, adding depth and maturity to the quartet’s dynamic.</p><p>Ultimately, this revival doesn’t just retell the story but redefines it. It’s no longer just about law school but about the search for justice, the long and arduous journey that begins in the classroom but extends into 2025 Philippines and beyond. &quot;Bar Boys&quot; is a reminder that justice is never guaranteed and that it must be fought for, again and again.</p><p>Laban? Game!</p><div><br/></div><div><em>&quot;Bar Boys The Musical&quot; runs until November 23 at the Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City.</em></div>

<p>A year after its debut, '<i>Bar Boys: The Musical'</i> returns not older, but angrier — fiercer, louder, and more resolute in its fight for justice.</p>

A year after its debut, ' Bar Boys: The Musical' returns not older, but angrier — fiercer, louder, and more resolute in its fight for justice.

Theater review: ‘Bar Boys’ returns with timely revival that hits harder than ever

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Theater review: ‘Bar Boys’ returns with timely revival that hits harder than ever

Vlad Bunoan,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 05, 2025 04:35 PM PHT

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Updated November 05, 2025 05:42 PM PHT

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Bar Boys

Barefoot Theatre Collaborative

theater review

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