‘Bar Boys’ Levels Up: Bigger, Bolder, Louder in Its All-New Staging
Barefoot Theatre Collaborative is no stranger to reimagining its productions. In 2022, the company launched with Mula sa Buwan, which was restaged in 2024 with heightened sets, video projections, and choreography. Now, Bar Boys: The Musical is following the same trajectory, coming back with a new title (from Bar Boys: A New Musical) and a staging that promises to be bigger, bolder, and entirely fresh—with Mikko Angeles once again at the helm.
Angeles emphasizes that this is more than a simple rerun. “Kung napanood mo siya prior, it will be an entirely different experience. It’s as if you’re watching it for the very first time.”
From Black Box to Proscenium
The musical had its initial run last year at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, where it was staged in a traverse setup—audiences seated on either side of the action. This year, it moves into the 800-seater Hyundai Hall of Areté, using a proscenium stage that places the performance directly in front of the audience.
“Given the stage, now that it’s a proscenium setup, lahat talaga ng elemento magbabago,” Angeles explains. “When we say all-new staging, hindi siya marketing stunt lang. It really is an all-new staging—almost sa lahat ng elements, almost sa lahat ng departamento—para mas ma-push iyung storytelling forward.”
The shift is most visible in the new set design by Ohm David and Julio Garcia. “Lahat ng wala sa initial two runs na ini-imagine na lang ng audience, ibibigay natin sa kanila,” Angeles says. “They don’t have to think about kung nasaan iyung location nang nangyayari ito.”
Fresh Movement, Fresh Sound
The creative overhaul extends beyond staging. Choreographer Jomelle Era, previously movement director, rebuilt the choreography from scratch to accommodate a greatly expanded ensemble—growing from seven to 15 members. “Marami kaming bagong ensemble, so ang daming possibilities of choreography na pwedeng ma-create,” Era shares.
Carlon Matobato (Male Professor and others) adds, “Ang ganda nung combination ng ballet and hip-hop…” while Gio Gahol (Atty. Victor Cruz) points out, “There’s jazz, folk dance, different genres of movements being utilized for this one as well.”
For musical director and composer Myke Salomon, the larger cast means richer harmonies and new arrangements. “Mas lumaki iyung cast so I hope it will be a more luscious harmony,” he says. “May mga maliliit na edits, pero I think malaki iyung impact pagkanabuo na.”
Gahol agrees: “Because there are more people, it sounds so much better. It already sounded great the first two runs, pero ito talaga, ang daming boses, nakakakilig. Myke’s arrangements are also reworked, so lalo pang na-elevate.”
The expanded ensemble also brings diversity in both background and artistry. Era notes that members hail from different regions, creating a blend of perspectives onstage. Angeles highlights the collaborative process: “We make sure that it is a safe space to create and take risks. Walang barriers. Everybody has a say. Everybody can input. Lahat talaga ine-exhaust iyung possibilities when you have that openness of a space.”
Cast members echo this evolution. Gimbey dela Cruz (Boss Mama) says, “Ang daming binago. I think they really wanted to level up everything, and I think they did.”
For her, what makes this staging stand out is how the balance between the four leads and the ensemble is constantly tested. Instead of the usual setup where leads carry the weight of the show, here the ensemble and the leads push one another to the same level—ensuring that every number feels dynamic, with a cast that is collectively commanding.
Nor Domingo (Atty. Maurice Carlson) reinforces this sense of reinvention, saying, “Hindi ito restaging. Iba ’to. Akala ko nga, ‘Okay, same-same.’ Ay, hindi.”
When Art Mirrors Reality
Beyond artistic changes, Bar Boys continues to grapple with the Philippines’ socio-political realities. Based on Kip Oebanda’s 2017 film, the story follows four friends navigating law school while confronting questions of justice and integrity.
“Tayo mismo ay apektado na kung ano iyung mga isyu na lumalabas ngayon, na matagal na palang naka-embed sa lipunan natin,” Angeles reflects. “As much as possible, we want to emulate that sa Bar Boys. Kung Pilipino ka, imposibleng hindi ka ma-magnetize sa kuwento ng Bar Boys.”
Actor Jerom Canlas (Torran Garcia) notes how the material evolves with the times. “The all-new staging right now is just bigger, better, and bolder. With the socio-political climate of the country, may mga bago rin kaming ini-inject na mga bagay para mas tumama, mas sumampal.”
The cast features Benedix Ramos (Erik Vicencio), Alex Diaz (Chris Abueva), Jerom Canlas (Torran Garcia), Omar Uddin (Josh Zuniga), Sheila Francisco (Justice Hernandez), Juliene Mendoza (Paping), Lorenz Martinez (Paping), Nor Domingo (Atty. Maurice Carlson), Gimbey dela Cruz (Boss Mama), Carlon Matobato (Male Professor & others), Natasha Cabrera (Female Professor & others), and Gio Gahol (Atty. Victor Cruz).
The ensemble includes Ade Valenzona, Mijon Cortez, Sheena Belarmino, Dippy Arceo, Pappel, Denize Castillo, Keith Sumbi, Ammin Acha-ur, Gelo Lantaco, Daniel Wesley, Elian Dominguez (also Josh Zuniga understudy), Curp Adriano, Robe Zamora Dagcuta, Joshua Rico, and Leo Lapitan.
Covers and swings include Jude Hinumdum (Erik Vicencio and Torran Garcia), Ian Pangilinan (Chris Abueva), Shaun Ocrisma (Atty. Victor Cruz), Naths Everett (Justice Hernandez, Boss Mama, Female Professor & others), Ace Polias (male swing), and Aecy Abne (female swing).
The musical is created by Pat Valera (book and lyrics) and Myke Salomon (music and lyrics), based on Oebanda’s film. The creative team includes director Mikko Angeles, musical director Myke Salomon, choreographer Jomelle Era, assistant director Yvonne Russell, set designers Ohm David and Julio Garcia (who also serves as property designer), costume designer Hershee Tantiado, lighting designers Meliton Roxas Jr. and Jethro Nibaten, sound designer Aron Roca, video designer Joyce Garcia, and technical director D Cortezano.
Bar Boys: The Musical runs from October 24 to November 23 at the Hyundai Hall of Areté in Quezon City.
Tickets range from P999 to P3,499, available via Ticket2Me.
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