Six

From left: Nyoy Volante, the author and Jett Pangan

It’s Thursday … which means the sepanx (separation anxiety) has officially begun.

Of course, as I sit down to write, it’s Monday evening. Only one night after our previous weekend’s exhausting run of shows. It’s quite interesting to think about how “Sweeney Todd” really takes its toll on all of us, punishing us body, mind and spirit.

Please don’t take that to mean that any of us is complaining. If anything, we’ve all accepted that as par for the course. Going in, we already knew this would be something that would test our limits as actors and singers, and that’s exactly what this show did. We prepped for rehearsals the way a mountain climber would prepare for Mt. Everest: as best as he or she can.

And now, here we are, with only six performances left in Manila. This run feels like it’s happening a little too fast for me. Maybe it’s because I’m accustomed to much longer stints lasting at least a few months. Or maybe I’m just enjoying myself way too much. Or maybe I know that once we’re done, I’ll be missing this incredible company of actors, musicians and crew, the “Crimson Family” (as dubbed by our Sweeney, Jett Pangan), this brave bunch of folks that faces the nightly challenge that is doing this musical.

A few of us got up and sang our heads off despite bouts with the flu, allergies and other respiratory ailments … muscular aches and pains … swollen joints and bacterial infections … and triumphed like true champions. Never mind that our guys have to push a repurposed Chevrolet El Camino around (you guys are beasts), climb up and down ladders and stairs, and do scene changes in the dark while singing in tune.

This is a formidable group. And I believe that after this, we can do anything.

You have six more chances to catch us in “Sweeney Todd” at the Theatre at Solaire. Then, we say goodbye to Manila. Allow us to thank you for coming to the show and for supporting Manila theater in general. This has been quite the Sondheim season, and we’re thankful it happened at all.

I’m glad we get to do this again in Singapore from Nov. 28 to Dec. 8 at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands.

After the closing weekend at Solaire, my focus will be trained once again to our young artists on “The Voice Kids.” Grand Finals happen on Nov. 2 and 3 at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. Another champion is going to be crowned, but make no mistake. All these kids are incredible, and I can’t wait to find out who the next champion will be.