After garnering acclaim in its first run, Silver Lining returns with more songs and context

A YEAR since it first made its debut, the original Filipino musical Silver Lining will return in a refreshed form, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza from Nov. 8 to 17.

The musical made an impact in 2023, garnering five nominations at the Aliw Awards, namely nods for Best Director, Best Composer, Best Actor, Best Script, and Best Musical. This year, its creators have given it new life, dubbing it Silver Lining Redux.

“We got a lot of good reviews, but so many people were still not able to watch it last year. That’s why we planned a rerun. While planning it, we thought we could improve on it as well, hence the ‘redux,’” the show’s composer and lyricist Jack Teotico told BusinessWorld at the sidelines of a press conference in Mandaluyong on Oct. 15.

“People will really feel the essence of the story in Silver Lining Redux. It speaks about friendship, love, and confronting your past,” he said.

While it was Mr. Teotico’s music, written during the pandemic, that kickstarted the show, the musical it is today is in large part thanks to producer Jay Valencia Glorioso and artistic director Maribel Legarda.

Silver Lining explores the lives of three friends — Leo, Raul, and Anton — as they go on youthful adventures as students at the University of the Philippines Diliman amid the tumultuous backdrop of the 1970s. The story also takes us to their adulthood in the present, each with their own families.

Playing the older version of Leo is Ricky Davao, with Jamie Wilson as his alternate, while Albert Silos takes on the younger version of the character. Raul Montesa is the older Raul while Jay Cortez is the younger Raul. Jake Macapagal plays the older Anton, with Drei Sugay as his younger counterpart.

The project marks Mr. Davao’s return to musical theater as well — and he will also be the line producer. “I’m honored and privileged to be part of this show. I love singing, and doing theater is like going back to where I started,” he said.

“It’s a magical experience, especially with this wonderful material,” he added.

As for Krystal Brimner, who will play the group’s female friend Julia, the redux is particularly exciting because her role has been expanded.

“I can definitely say that my character has more development, more depth. And, without spoiling why, I don’t have an older version to base it off on, so I’m doing the work by myself of knowing what she’s like,” Ms. Brimner said.

WHAT’S NEW
The show traverses multiple timeframes, with the goal being to contemplate the choices that shape the characters’ lives.

Ms. Legarda, as the director of the musical, told the press that the story is more fleshed out now. One way they did this is by giving each character more context for the decisions that they make.

“We developed the romance with young Leo and Julia with a new song. We also humanized Raul and showed an explanation for his choices,” she said. “Half the cast is also new, so that alone will make this redux different.”

Also in the cast are: Gina Respall, Sara Sicam, Don Anthony, Dippy Arceo, Johnnie Moran, Raflesia Bravo, and Moi Gealogo. In the ensemble are Rodel Pingol II, Nayr De Luna, Sam Marasigan, Misha Fabian, and Nadia Tuviera.

Silver Lining Redux’ musical director is Vince Lim, while the show’s choreographer is PJ Rebullida, and writers are Liza Magtoto and Joshua Lim So.

“They improved the music and the script, so the themes are clearer in the songs. The story is also not as linear as it used to be, which I think is exciting,” Mr. Teotico said.

Ms. Legarda added that the historical context of the 1970s and ’80s up to present day really contextualize the show. “We have actions, and they have effects. Can we recognize them?” she said. “Hopefully it’s a life-giving show. You have to meet the problems, but also find strength in what’s good in it.”

Produced by Rockitwell Studios and MusicArtes, Inc., Silver Lining Redux runs from Nov. 8 to 10 and Nov. 15 to 17 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza, Makati. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

Shorts and Briefs Theater Festival turns 10

By Brontë H. Lacsamana, Reporter

Theater Review
Shorts and Briefs Theater Festival

THE Shorts and Briefs Theater Festival (SNB) returns each year to present one-act plays by theater first-timers to a live audience. For its 10^th year, the festival upped the ante by accepting musicals helmed by first-time playwrights, directors, actors, and newbie songwriters.

This year, the songwriters were asked to present compositions which the six new directors perused to find a match. Once a director chose a song, a partnership was then forged for the two to create a 15-minute musical, under the mentorship of composer TJ Ramos and playwright Juan Ekis.

On Oct. 26 and 27, festivalgoers filled the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez to see what musicals were created by the six director-songwriter duos.

“We’ve put up shows in many small spaces over the years, including on stairs, just to showcase Shorts and Briefs. Somehow we’ve made it to 10 years and we’re here now thanks to CCP!” said festival director Karl Alexis Jingco at the penultimate show on the last day.

“This is a festival that celebrates the beauty of being a first-timer. It’s scary, but that’s the beauty of it. We celebrate the fear, that leap,” he said.

The curtain opened that day on the endearing romance Sakto Lang, directed by Migui Moreno with music by Karlo Guevarra. It follows Daniel (Daniel Santos) and Vanessa (played by Vanessa Dulay), who unknowingly harbored romantic feelings for each other back in college and now have the chance to reconnect while waiting for a ride home from work.

Its strength is the clever use of the minimal set and props to convey the two leads’ emotions. With decent songs filled with drama powering the story forward, both actors utilized the space around them well as they performed a gentle tug of war of hidden feelings for each other.

The second play, Ang Kwento ng Bubuyog at Paru-paro, directed by Aaron Alsol with music by Aaron Vincent Jimenez, provided a dark tonal contrast. With a pastel-colored poster, a children’s book title, and its main actors coming in dressed in fluffy bee and butterfly costumes, the last thing the audience expected was a rap-style star-crossed gay lovers’ tragedy.

Minimal stage design gave actors Mateo Oladive as Bubuyog and Radleigh as Paru-paro, much work to do for the mix of whimsy and grit to be convincing, but they played their parts well. The music also lent more desperation, sadness, and power to their romance, its beats and drops leaving an impact.

“I chose to work with rap music kasi sabi ko gusto ko na astig ’yong love story (because I said I wanted the love story to be cool),” Mr. Alsol, the director, told BusinessWorld after the show.

“It also breaks the stereotype na rap, sa mga straight lang ‘yon (that rap is just for straight guys),” he said.

Following the subverted expectations of Bubuyog at Paru-paro was Tala, a grounded tale centered on corporate slaves Ella (Francel Go) and Katherine (Pamy Villa). Directed by Jiezl Virmy Chua with music by Martin Sarmenta, it follows two office workers revealing dreams and frustrations as they work overtime.

Both actresses gave commendable performances, especially Ms. Go whose idealistic fervor shone through even as her mic went out. Her portrayal of a young woman chasing her dreams clashed perfectly with Ms. Villa’s of an older woman whose dreams have already been broken. The songs accompanying this story were beautifully matched to their respective moments.

After a brief intermission came the nostalgic UP Diliman-set Disyembre, directed by Ray Raña with music by Axl Diego. It tells the story of Serine, who brings her boyfriend Enzo to the UP Lantern Parade to help jog his memory and reverse the short-term memory loss he suffered from an accident.

While the story itself isn’t new, the execution was seamless, with Kaye Ann Diana and Luis Orbeso as the leads playing friends-who-are-actually-a-couple without a hitch. Notably, the music suits every heartfelt scene.

Continuing the melodrama was Nakasilip sa Bituin, directed by Hazel Madronero with music by Gerard De Leon. It centers on Kay (Kaith Lawrence Espinosa) and John (Mark Jhonsen Bognot), a sister and brother struggling financially to make ends meet.

While its spoken parts were much stronger than the musical sections, their chemistry as siblings sold the story of them trying to stay strong for each other despite their faults. The set was also the most detailed and polished of all of the plays in the festival.

Finally, Kasloy, directed by Paulito Del Mundo with music by John Custer, served as a solid, poignant finish. It follows Rain (Presh Capistrano) and River (Lev Vergara) as close friends and fellow songwriters who go up to the mountains to compose music together.

Like the other musicals in the set, the drama played out by its actors was impeccable, especially in its well-timed twist. Kasloy, also the title of the song provided by Mr. Custer, was undoubtedly the best of the night, inducing tears in quite a few audience members.

“The responsibility of directing your first piece of musical theater is huge, but it helps that we’re guided by mentors and our collaborators,” said director Mr. Del Mundo after the show. “We’re all proud of our work.”

Shorts and Briefs’ 10^th year marked a high note for the festival. Every musical had emotions and insights to impart, with room for improvement for all of them but even more potential filling the theater with energy.

SNB was organized by Eksena PH, which had Filipino Sign Language interpreters for the Deaf community in the audience. For more information on their upcoming events, visit their social media pages.