‘Mood Swings’: A roller-coaster ride

VINCENT de Jesus (left) accompanied Aiza Seguerra who performed a torch song.

The Teatrino stage was fashioned after a good ole tavern. And at the bar were four singers, who—between swigs of whiskey and riotous banter—took turns breathing life into a catalogue of songs that took the rapt crowd on the musical equivalent of a roller-coaster ride: a cheeky, upbeat ditty that raises the spirits is immediately followed by a gut-wrenching aria.

After all, the title of the show was “Mood Swings,” which featured the poignant, if at times quite twisted, songs of Vincent de Jesus, an award-winning composer for theater, television and film. And for about two hours, the spotlight shone on the music artist’s compositions for such plays as “Care Divas,” “Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Ze Muzikal” and “Manhid”; as well as those found in his album, “Songs to Slash Your Wrist By.”

While he sang from behind the piano from time to time, the bulk of performing was robustly carried out by the wisecracking Ricci Chan, suave-singing Sandino Martin, the husky-toned KL Dizon and note-flipping, guitar-playing Nar Cabico. The singing was consistently impeccable and, more importantly, affecting.

Reduced to tears

Not a few spectators dabbed their eyes as they watched the usually effervescent Chan reduced to tears in his interpretation of “Kasalanan Ko,” from the ongoing musical “Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady,” whose music and lyrics were also penned by De Jesus.

DE JESUS (left) sang from behind the piano, but was aided by wiscracking actor-singer Ricci Chan.

“Vince, did you have a happy childhood?” Chan quipped afterward, drawing a round of chuckles.

Gracing the two-night show (the second one was held on July 4) were guest performers Aiza Seguerra (who sang the torch ballad “Ako Lang ang Nagmahal”) and De Jesus’ colleague in the Philippine Educational Theater Association Noel Cabangon (who tackled the pieces “Duwag” and “Nanlalamig, Naglalaho”).

Meanwhile, Eula Valdez, the original Zsazsa Zaturnnah, scatted and kicked away in “Rich” and then gave an impassioned rendition of “Niebe, Ulan at Bahaghari.”

After the final number, a rousing group performance of “Saan Ka Man Dalhin” from “Care Divas,” everyone threw themselves into an impromptu jamming session, playing and singing; and wading through the crowd, handing out glasses of booze.

EULA Valdes (foreground) belted out “Rich” and “Niebe, Ulan at Bahaghari.” Other performers in the background (from left): Sandino Martin, KL Dizon and Nar Cabico.

(“Mood Swings: The Music of ‘Maestra’ Vincent de Jesus” was mounted by GMA 7 talent Mikoy Morales’ Sparc Productions.)

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