‘²BAYANI’ Musical about Andres Bonifacio to Stream Online
²BAYANI: Isang Rock Operang Alay Kay Andres Bonifacio, is set to stream online this April.
The rock opera was first staged in 1996 with an ensemble of student performers under Tanghalang Ateneo at the Rizal Mini Theater in Ateneo de Manila University. This year, Areté in partnership with Tanghalang Ateneo will be staging this as an online theatrical production through ktx.ph. The play will still be directed by Ricardo G. Abad, with music and lyrics by Zosimo Quibilan, Jr. and Khavn, who will be reunited after 26 years.
Also in the artistic team are D Cortezano (lighting design), Adriane Mark E. Ungriano (set design), Tata Tuviera (costume and make-up design), Jared Jonathan Luna (choreography), Matthew Chang (vocal direction), John Robert B. Yam (sound design), Glen Charles Lopez (Director of Photography), Winter David (Property Design and Execution), Rio Reyes (Graphic Design), and JJ Agcaoili (Projection Design).
The cast stars indie-folk musician Bullet Dumas in the titular role. He is joined by Alyana Cabral, Larissa Buendia, Ali Figueroa, MC Dela Cruz, Greg Abelardo De Leon, Angelo Galang, Matt Gador, Gabo Tolentino, Pat Libao, Norvin De Los Santos, Meyanne Plamenio, Jam Binay, Nashvie Magracia, Lance Soliman, Pio Bagnol, Austin Gonzales, Michael D. Fernandez, Tara Jamora Oppen, Jamie Papa, and Nanding Josef.
Complying with strict health and safety protocols, the production team proceeded with a 10-day lock-in schedule and recorded a stage-to-screen performance of ²BAYANI: Isang Rock Operang Alay Kay Andres Bonifacio last November 2021. After a month of online rehearsals, the production was captured from Areté’s Hyundai Hall, the first theatrical performance in the venue after 18 months.
²BAYANI is a tribute to a hero who rallied us for the first time as one nation and one people—not katutubo, nor indio, nor mestizo, but as Filipinos – and woe to any colonial power that opposes us. It is a celebration of defiance from a man who, though betrayed, imprisoned, and treated as a footnote to the revolution, clung to his desire to unite the Filipinos. It is also a call to act as one people and be today’s heroes as we confront the challenges that divide us – in rock opera style.
For updates on show dates and ticketing information, you can visit Areté Ateneo’s Facebook page.
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