October 14, 2024
Jepoy and his washer-woman mother Aling Barang may be very poor, but they managed to lived happily together with their pet dog Galis in their cottage at the edge of a big forest. One day, Galis ran off with a dress Aling Barang was washing, so Jepoy ran after his pet. To his amazement, his dog jumped into a mysterious circular portal floating in mid-air. Jepoy jumped right in with him and they ended up in another dimension called the Underworld.
"Jepoy and the Magic Circle" is the first of two original Filipino musicals Repertory Philippines is staging during this, their current 87th season. The second one is "Going Home to Christmas," featuring the songs of Jose Mari Chan, timed for the holiday season. This continues Rep's initiative to stage original Filipino shows which started with "Miong" and "The Quest for the Adarna" in 2019, only to be interrupted by the pandemic. This new musical is directed by Ms. Joy Virata, the creative director of Repertory Theater for Young Audiences.
Rody Vera adapted the script from the children's book "The Magic Circle" by Gilda Cordero-Fernando. The original music and lyrics were written by Ejay Yatco. They are on an amazing creative roll this year. They also collaborated in Full House's Parokya ni Edgar musical "Buruguduystunstugudun-stuy." Yatco was the musical director of "Pingkian," one of Tanghalang Pilipino's top-tier 2024 productions.
The play opened with a short introduction to endangered indigenous fauna, like mouse deer, warty pig, Philippine eagle, tarsier and pawikan. The first half of the play was expository, building up the real world where Jepoy and mother lived and teasing a brief taste of the Under-world on the other side of the portal. However, it was during the second half when the wondrous world of Filipino folklore bloomed in full color right in front of our eyes, featuring the fantastical costume designs of Raven Ong, and puppets of Kayla Teodoro.
As we joined Jepoy as guest of a Tikbalang wedding officiated by the elegant Dona Geronima, we get to meet the Tres Marias -- Maria Makiling, Maria Sinukuan and Maria Cacao, the duwendes in blue and the tiyanak in pink, the two manananggals in flight, the sirena who guides the sailors, and finally, the Kapre. There was also a guy carrying a blind guy, a mute guy and a lame guy on his shoulders (not sure who he was). Like Galis, there were other talking animals in attendance, like Cat, Frog, Monkey and Cockroach.
In the show I watched, Jepoy was played by Elian Dominguez in his first lead role in a major musical production. His Jepoy was full of energy, with a slight rascally vibe, which was a nice comic touch. His singing voice had a wide range, so he should have a promising career in musical theater ahead of him. As he is an environmental scientist by profession, he got his wish to merge his two interests with this play. (Alternating as Jepoy are theater veteran at age 20 Noel Comia, Jr. and former "Batang Rizal" Yhuan Gatbunton.)
Aling Barang was played by Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, as bubbly as ever. (Ring Antonio alternates as Aling Barang.) Host Paqui was played by Luis Marcelo, who should be more careful with his intro spiels for the kids. He mis-defined the word "nocturnal" in the show I watched. (Joshua Cabiladas, Franco Ramos and Stephen Vinas alternate as Paqui.) Dona Etang and Dona Geronima were played by Pinky Marquez, her soprano as solid as ever. (Abi Sulit alternates as the Donas.) Real-world Galis was played by Francis Gatmaytan (Czar Decena as alternate), while Under-world Galis was played by Cara Barredo.
The featured character that deserves special mention is that the Kapre, portrayed by Hans Ekstein in the matinee show I watched. You do not see the actor's face at all, as it was hidden in dark green make-up. He was in a full-body costume of green leaves, and he had to carry the mythic creature's head (with a moving mouth!) and arms above him, while wearing elevated clogs on his feet. The actor had to rely on his deep resounding voice to act and convey the Kapre's sad plight, and Eckstein gave an excellent performance.
Parental guidance is needed so the kids can get the messages of this show straight. Traditional Filipino dark monsters were portrayed here as colorful friends. Unlike the endangered animals, their continued "existence" remains valuable for our cultural identity as Filipinos, not as facts. Discrimination against those regarded by society as different is correct. However, calling everyone "all a little weird" (and having Jepoy proudly declare himself a "weirdo" as the final line) can be confusing for kids and should be explained properly.
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"Jepoy and the Magic Circle" is Rep's first play staged in their new home in the fourth floor of the Eastwood City Walk. For ticket reservations, send a message at: 09626918540 & 09669054013.