ISAY Alvarez (right) and Epy Quizon reprise roles in July-August restaging of “Katy!” at Meralco Theater.
After our hit revival staging of the “Katy!” musical last January (repeats are in July-August at Meralco Theater; call Spotlight Artists Centre at 899-8089 or 0922 898-6644 for sponsorships), we were asked by some popular performers for concepts for other new Filipino musicals for them to star in.
Encouraged by their interest, we came up with these preliminary observations: If biographical musicals like “Katy!” are what the stars have in mind, we hear that other people have already been brainstorming a musical on the high-flying and colorful life of President Manuel Quezon, so male singers looking for an important stellar showcase should investigate that prospect.
What about a Dolphy musical? When we got Epy Quizon to personify his iconic father in a cameo role in our “Katy!” revival, it was our way of “hinting” at the viability of a full musical on the country’s King Comic.
Of course, as a wag has observed, more than the usual two or three leading ladies would be needed for that production, but its prospects for success are obvious—!
Star discoverer
Finally, for new musical with male protagonists, we’ve been suggesting to the Vera Perez family that it would be great to have a musical produced about the master star discoverer, Doc Perez!
Since we’ve done a lot of research and interviews for a book on Sampaguita Pictures, we know that Doc Perez’s life and times would make a great show!
The list of exciting prospects is even longer for new musicals about female stars: Many old-timers still vividly recall the stellar “reign” of Carmen Rosales, the famous singer-actress who was a larger-than-life presence on the local movie scene for decades.
She was known not just for her stellar cachet and clout, but also for expressing her opinions candidly, so she would certainly make a feisty lead character for a new musical.
Unconventional views
Ditto for Rita Gomez, who was a “liberated” woman long before the term became fashionable, with her sons by different men as proof positive of her unconventional views on life and love!
To make the project even more interesting, Rita was known for her range and versatility as a performer, and her passion for the thespic craft and art infused and heightened the diverse characters she created.
What about a musical on Nida Blanca? Her death is still painfully controversial, but wasn’t the same thing said about the demise of Marilyn Monroe? —And look, the “Smash” musical drama series on TV is all about the creation of a new Broadway musical about her! So, a Nida Blanca musical is an edgy prospect for a producer—with guts to spare.
Finally, wouldn’t you want to see a musical on the country’s first child superstar, Tessie Agana? She was the local counterpart of Shirley Temple, and was a bubbly and even feisty performer in her own right!
Another child star who stood out in the ’40s and ’50s was Tita Duran, and she remained popular even as an adult performer. What about a musical on her—or, even better, a show about her and her husband, Pancho Magalona (their son Francis’ kids are all over the show biz scene today)?
—The possibilities are as yummy as they are virtually limitless!