Teatro Ima at Arti to stage the 'Greatest Story Ever Told,' with a twist

WHOEVER said that the life story of Jesus Christ could not be told in a comic and even melodramatic twist? Imagine Jesus Christ cracking a joke, or Saint Peter singing a boastful song with a wacky cast that could surely tickle your funny bones and bring you to tears, all the while relaying the greatest story ever told in what could be a witty way of evangelization.

Teatro Ima at Arti brings its newest musicale presentation this Lenten Season dubbed "Tilauk ning Manuk," a fresh presentation of the life of Jesus Christ from the point of view of the Apostle Peter.

The all-women theater group brings in the talents of Arti.StaRita as support cast along with priests as guest actors for the play.

Theater lovers and the media were given a rare opportunity to see excerpts of the play at the majestic home of business couple Tess and Levy Laus.

The play features the voices of Fr. Valencia (Peter), Fr. John Bartolome (Saint James), Fr. Homer Policarpio (John the Beloved), Fr. Aris Maniago (Judas Iscariot) and Fr. Rick Lusung (Jesus Christ).

Fr. Rick commands a believable character that is reinforced by a wonderful singing voice. Fr. Homer is also an endearing character that never fails to inspire listeners.

Musical Director Andy Alviz said the play presents the life of Christ with a comic and melodramatic twist, featuring the talent and antics of Teatro Ima Arti actresses. The music is even more astounding, drawing inspiration from the group's previous play "Perry."

Businesswoman Tess Laus, a member of Teatro Ima Arti, said the play is their group's way of evangelizing younger generations of Christians, adding the play will be shown for free and aims to attract people to reexamine their faith.

The play is set to be staged at Sta. Rita town's amphitheater grounds along the FVR Mega Dike, providing a natural and rustic ambiance to the play.

Be prepared to cry, laugh and be inspired in what could be a fresh presentation of the greatest story ever told. Teatro Ima Arti is also set to stage the play in popular venues in the province along with schools and universities.

Teatru Ima at Arti, a newly formed non-profit theater group with a purpose, entirely composed of Kapampangan women aged 50 years old and above, is an interesting mix of career women, entrepreneurs, artists and homemakers.

Their aim is to render a different kind of entertainment to their audience, while inspiring women of all ages and proving that it is never too late to follow one's heart.

MaArti is the first of its kind in Pampanga and arguably in the Philippines. Most of the members are theater neophytes.