CJ Navato (left) as Popoy and Nicole Omillo as Basha in “One More Chance The Musical” —PHOTOS COURTESY OF PETA
After a successful first run earlier this year, “One More Chance: The Musical” is back at Peta Theater in Quezon City. Interest in this production based on the movie of the same name hasn’t seemed to wane as evidenced by the turnout last Thursday.
Despite an entire week of strong rains that would’ve kept people away, the Peta lobby was bustling and the theater was full. Seated next to us was a young woman who braved the rains to watch solo. “Are you ready to cry,” she asked with a knowing smile.
Those who have seen the 2007 movie starring John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo can probably quote Popoy and Basha’s confrontation scenes in their sleep, but watching the Star Cinema production is not a prerequisite to enjoy the play. I actually enjoyed it more this time compared to the opening night of the first run held last April.
Lead actors CJ Navato (Popoy) and Nicole Omillo (Basha) were evenly matched and played off each other beautifully. A former child talent on the gag show “Goin’ Bulilit,” CJ has since appeared in numerous TV series with his most recent being “Dirty Linen” in 2023.
In this, his first lead role in a musical, he plays Popoy, the single-minded engineer whose rigidity suffocates his relationship with Basha, an architect still in the midst of finding her place in the world.
Nicole started out in 2015 as part of Viva’s all-female, sing-and-dance group. Some of her singles and song renditions have since been used on several movie soundtracks. She is currently part of Viva’s youth-oriented adaptation of Wattpad’s “The University Series” and recently appeared in the movie, “Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko.”
Theater virgins
Both CJ and Nicole were theater virgins when they signed on for “One More Chance” and had their work cut out for them. In an email interview with Inquirer Entertainment, they recalled how they prepared for their roles. She described prep work as “intense,” while he said he lost “a lot of weight” and strengthened his lungs during the Star Magic Hot Summer.
“It was my first ever play, and I didn’t know how theater works or how things are, so I needed to be extra prepared. Once I knew I got the role, I started working out and taking voice lessons every day—just really making myself physically and vocally ready,” Nicole said.
Once she got her copy of the script, she took down copious notes, memorized her lines and took into account the emotions required for each scene.
“I had to listen to the songs by Ben&Ben and rehearse them every day. Kasi may mga areglo na ginawa ang musical director (Myke Salomon) namin. It was a lot for the first run because there was so much pressure within myself since I have never done anything like this before,” she added.
To prepare for his role, CJ closely watched main lead Sam Concepcion during rehearsals. “That’s what really helped me get into the groove of what I needed to bring to the stage. Now during this second run, it’s more about keeping myself healthy because I know my character more. I’m able to give more of myself. I need to remain healthy, so I have to remember not to strain my voice too much when I’m performing,” CJ said.
Nicole agrees. “I’ve already found where my character was going. We’re familiar with where the story is going, but at the same time there were little tweaks that made things still exciting for us for the rerun, and it was something that I was very excited to do,” she said.
Emotion-heavy production
Despite a few moments of levity here and there courtesy of the couple’s friends—Anj (Via Antonio), Chinno (Johnnie Moran), JP (Jon Abella), Krizzy (Rica Laguardia) and Kenneth (Paji Arceo)—the production can be heavy. The emotions range from soaring highs and basement-level lows. So where did Nicole and CJ draw the emotions needed for their roles?
“I take a lot from my own experiences. I think I’ve learned a lot in life. I get to touch on those emotions, but I don’t feel like I get triggered onstage. I don’t feel broken. I play with those emotions and am able to use those experiences I have so that Popoy can be more relatable to the audience,” he said.
Nicole, meanwhile, immerses herself in her character. “I am not the type of actor who has baggage, if that makes sense—it doesn’t work for me for some reason. My method is always being in and empathizing with the character; everything else just follows. I feel like if you’re being as authentic as you can, people will start to feel it as well.
“Getting to know Basha during the first run affected me in so many ways and I was able to show that onstage. The audience started to see a Basha that I created, a Basha that I also just met. The biggest thing I can say is when it comes to giving life to the character, [you have to] really be the character,” she added.
With nightly shows Thursday to Sunday as well as matinees on Saturday and Sunday until October, the strain can certainly take a toll. How do they de-stress after performances and during their days off?
“I avoid cold drinks and sweets, but basically the most important thing for me is sleep. After our evening shows, I’ll come home around 1 or 1:30 a.m. and will only get to sleep at 2, so it’s really about recovering with sleep, eating well and taking my vitamins,” Nicole said.
“After performances, we usually eat out so during our rest days, we really rest our voices. Well, not completely because I still sing. Hilig ko talagang kumanta (I really enjoy singing),” CJ said.
The restaging of “One More Chance: The Musical” at Peta Theater in Quezon City will run until Oct. 27.