WATCH: “Dirty Old Musical” Cast Sings 70-80’s Hits ‘Pag Tumatagal Lalong Tumitibay,’ ‘Legs’ and More!
Spotlight Artists Centre’s “Dirty Old Musical” is coming back for a third run this February 22-March 23 at the Music Museum.
The musical, written by Rody Vera with musical arrangement by Myke Salomon, fuses OPM hits from the ‘70’s-’80’s (such as Mag-exercise Tayo Tuwing Umaga, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Pag Tumatagal Lalong Tumitibay, Katawan, Legs, to name a few) to tell the story of five men dealing with middle age. They were once part of an all-male ‘80’s group, which disbanded for personal reasons. They decide to try and reunite after several decades to try and help an ailing member.
Jett Pangan (who takes over the role from John Arcilla) joins the cast as Freddie, one of the five band members. Reprising their roles are Robert Seña, Bo Cerrudo, Nonie Buencamino, and Carlo Orosa. The ensemble also includes Kitkat, Tricia Amper-Jimenez, Ima Castro, Neo Rivera, Katherine Tiuseco, Anthony Castillo, Matel Patayon, and Carlon Matobato.
For the third run, director Dexter Santos says that audiences can look forward to new songs, additional texts and dialogue, as well as new synergy from the cast with the addition of Pangan, who makes his theater comeback after 5 years.
“To be called in for this cast is a big, big honor for me,” says Pangan. Being the front man of the rock band “The Dawn”, and having just finished their Canadian tour last year, being invited to do the show was a welcomed change for him.
When asked if he drew from his personal experiences as a band member, “No. Iba kasi iyung ‘The Dawn’ eh. We’re on our 33rd year this year, and I think a lot of it had to do with the fact na hindi kami nagsimulang magkakaibigan.” Pangan shares that they were handpicked to be in the band together. “We were chosen, so meron kami laging civility with each other. Hindi iyung nagsimula kaming magkakaibigan from the get-go, or magkakamag-anak, na meron kaming sobrang liberty towards each other, na kapag hindi mo gusto iyung ginagawa, minsan sisigawan mo na lang o mumurahin mo. It’s never like that with us.”
“Kaya type na type ko ‘tong role kasi it’s the exact opposite of my experience as a band member,” he adds. “I guess I’m just drawing from the experience na nakikita ko sa ibang banda o nababasa ko tungkol sa ibang banda. Iba iyung dynamic. I’m living vicariously in a way through what I hear from other relationships sa banda. It’s a thrill na natututo rin ako how life is with other bands.”
Despite its protagonists of 50-something men, producer Isay Alvarez-Seña says the show is something the younger generation will still enjoy. “It’s 70’s and 80’s music arranged by a young musical director. He really gives a very different flavor [to the show].”
You can watch excerpts of their performance in the video below.
