PEOPLE were humming to the tunes to some of the famous songs of hit 90s band, Eraserheads, as they were leaving the Newport Performing Arts Theater after watching Ang Huling El Bimbo.
With the playwright by Dingdong Novenario and directed by Dexter Santos, Ang Huling El Bimbo took the audience to a rollercoaster of emotions as they followed the story of Hector, AJ, Emman, and Joy.
On its second run, the musical featured a “fine-tuned and more gripping narrative which was polished by prominent dramaturg Floy Quintos who joins the creative team.”
Here are the things that I love about the musical (spoiler free):
Compeling Story
Ang Huling El Bimbo had a great story to tell in just two hours. You know it is a good story if you are drawn to it and fell in love with each of the characters.
I think the musical was able to develop each of the main character and even some of the support characters. The subplots of the story also complemented the whole of the story and made us understand the characters better. I also loved the pacing of the story; it did not feel rushed.
Actors breathing life into the characters
Breathing life into the characters of the story were its actors. Whether it was the main cast or the ensemble, each actor performed to the best of their abilities.
The musical stars two sets of main cast. When we watched the musical, it was bannered by Nicco Manalo, Reb Atadero, Lance Reblando, David Ezra, Myke Salomon, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Gabriella Pangilinan, and Carla Guevara-Laforteza.
One cast member who I can't forget was Pangilinan, who plays as young Joy. When she entered the stage and started singing Ligaya, I was living for it. The audience also fell in love with her character, who is also a focal point in the storyline.
Ezra, who plays the older Hector, was also memorable. Whether it was his voice or the emotions he channels through his acting, he was awesome.
Guevara-Laforteza, who plays the older Joy, was also amazing despite not spending much time on stage as one of the main characters.
I also love how despite the small roles of some of the members of the ensemble, you can remember them. Whether it is the other women of Hector or the wives of Emman and AJ, you will surely remember them.
Great music and production numbers
With a majority of the audience growing up in the 90s, many were able to sing along and relate to the music being sung by the actors. I also love how wonderfully arranged the songs were.
What's great about what the creators of the musical did was how they used the songs to tell the story, to make the audience understand the characters and what they are feeling, and to capture our feelings.
I was also amazed by the production numbers. In “Tindahan ni Aling Nena” they had actual sari-sari stores on stage while in “Alapaap/Overdrive,” the actors were in an actual car. “Pare Ko/Yoko” also had some intricate choreography. My favorite has to be “Spolarium/Waiting/Sino Sa Atin” where it mirrors the fight happening between the AJ, Emman, and Hector in the past and present.
The show ended in a standing ovation by audience members who just finished wiping their tears. If you will be in Manila in the next two weeks, try to get a ticket and watch the show. It is worth every penny.
Ang Huling El Bimbo was truly a musical that got us excited, laughing, and crying. It is definitely a must see.
The musical runs until April 14 with shows every Thursday to Sunday at 8 p.m., and matinees at 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are now available at the RWM Box Office and Ticket World outlets. Download the RWM Mobile App for the complete show schedules.