TO deny oneself in search of ultimate happiness. How hard can it be? Very hard. And, easier said than done. But Buddha was an exception.
Prophesied to rise as a great king or an enlightened monk, Siddhartha Gautama of Shakya in 600 B.C. in India grew up as a pampered prince in a perfect environment. An episode during a trip outside the palace one day changed everything. Siddhartha was faced with the unpleasant realities of old age, sickness and death, which made him question the meaning of life. Renouncing his identity, Siddhartha embarked on a seven-year-long introspection until he finally achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha. Today, Dharma or Buddha’s set of teachings on wisdom and compassion has posed an immense influence on the world.
Based on the book The Biography of the Sakyamuni Buddha by venerable master Hsing Yun, Siddhartha The Musical retells the story of a timeless, prominent historic figure. Now on its eighth year, the play, presented by Fo Guang Shan Foundation Philippines (FGS) and Buddha’s Light International Association Philippines (Blia), has been a collaborative effort tested by and has matured through time to benefit the community in general. To formally launch the musical, a press conference was held on June 11 at FGS Chu Un Temple on V. Rama Ave. in Cebu City.
The ambitious project comes back this year with an expanded plot, new songs and impressive costumes among other great expectations. Compared to prior shows which only lasted for about an hour and 45 minutes, this year’s musical is set for two and a half hours as it will convey the whole life of Buddha. As an opportunity to showcase Cebuano talents, a casting of 40 Cebuano players including children will execute an assortment of roles to the narration of the life of a very important icon in history. Benjie Layos has been playing the Buddha post since 2007.
According to writer, composer and musical director Jude Gitamondoc, 90 percent of the show is delivered via music with 40 to 50 songs from the previous count of 20. The lyricism is adapted from the poetry of venerable master Hsing Yun, the 48th patriarch of the Linji Chan school of Buddhism, founder of FGS Buddhist order in Taiwan in 1967 and Blia in 1992.
Costume designer Oj Hofer, also president of Blia Cebu English Chapter, hoped that Siddhartha will exude a global impression with the stylized attires made more authentic with research and made more beautiful to wow the spectators. Choreographer Vince Gaton promises dynamic movements.
It’s the first time for director Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson to work with FGS and Blia, which to her is a humbling involvement considering the weight of the musical’s subject.
“Buddha is a very important person. I have to make sure I don’t compromise the story with my own artistic vision or drown in the idea of the whole visuals. It’s quite challenging,” she said.
Chu Un Temple officer-in-charge Master You Lin encouraged the public to experience the musical as a journey beyond the presentation.
“It’s not just about the culture or belief portrayed, nor the entertainment value. For example, most of our actors and actresses have no formal theater training.
Many of them are afflicted by domestic and personal issues. But they found a way of life through the musical,” she shared.
To Blia Cebu Chapter president Erwin Go, the musical is really something to be proud of as it has been a milestone in sharing the essence of The Noble Path, most importantly to the local audience.
Siddhartha: The Musical will be staged in SM Cinema 1 on June 20 at 7 p.m. and on June 21 at 2 and 7 p.m. The play had been acted out in the past in and outside the country including Taiwan and the United States. Future shows will be in China, Singapore and Malaysia.