Agot: Fans of musicals are in for a surprise

Agot Isidro

Singers-turned-actors like Agot Isidro should welcome the renewed interest in musical movies, sparked by Loy Arcenas’ “Ang Larawan,” which won best picture at the recent Metro Manila Film Festival.

Riding this musical crest is Agot’s latest film, Dan Villegas’ “Changing Partners,” which will have its theatrical run starting Jan. 31. Like “Ang Larawan,” “Changing Partners” is a stage play that crossed over to the big screen.

“I am super excited that ‘Changing Partners’ will be shown to a wider audience,” she told the Inquirer.

She expressed the hope that this resurgence of movie musicals would jumpstart a revival in the theater world, as well. “Hopefully, it would increase the public’s appreciation of stage plays, too. We need to fill the seats for these theater productions.”

She pointed out: “But, ‘Larawan’ and ‘Changing Partners’ are different in many ways. So, to those who say that musicals are all the same, they’re in for a surprise.”

While “Larawan” is a period piece on old Manila, “Changing Partners” is set in modern times and tackles troubled romantic affairs.—BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.