Photo / Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
Did you miss your chance to see Bar Boys: A New Musical? We have good news: six shows have been added from November 7 to 10, 2024.
We’re sure you’ve heard about this musical, which got rave reviews from critics and notable figures, like actress Nadine Lustre, Drag Race Philippines‘ Brigiding, and former senator and justice secretary Atty. Leila de Lima.
The musical also led the second quarter of 15th Gawad Buhay citations with 18 nods, including Outstanding Musical.
Bar Boys is a stage adaptation of Kip Oebanda’s film and follows the lives and friendships of four law school students, Erik, Chris, Torran, and Josh. The demands of law school, the pressures of love and life, and the harsh reality of the world challenge the boys as they journey to become defenders of justice in the Philippines.
“The foot in the door is the friendship. It’s entertaining and it’s funny,” said Pat Valera, the playwright and director of the musical. “But we are storytellers, we purposefully, and with intent, put in themes as well na may matututunan, may malalaman, may mare-realize ka sana. May makukuha kang ibang parte about who you are, about society, kapwa mo, ‘yong bayan natin ngayon, the circus we are all in right now. But at the end of it, to not lose faith and hope. If we all give up, wala na. Bakit pa tayo nandito?“
Photo / Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
Mikko Angeles, his co-director, agreed. He said, “Other than being a story of friendship, built on the backdrop of the law, Bar Boys is a reminder for everyone to dream. And that dream comes with a cost because we live in a third-world country. But should that stop you from dreaming? No. Try again.“
Jomelle Era, the show’s movement designer, added, “Ito ‘yong sumasagot sa tanong na ‘Nasaan ka sa kasalukuyan?’ Kung hinahanap mo ‘yong sarili mo sa kasalukuyan, ‘yong bawat yapak mo ba, kailangan ba niya mapunta sa yabag? ‘Yong biyahe ng yapak papuntang yabag, ano ‘yong binaybay mo?“
Myke Salomon, Bar Boys‘ musical director, joked, “Kung gusto mo ng hustisya, kung gusto mong managinip, kung gusto mong mangarap, dapat may background music.“
Photo / May Celeste from the May 2024 run of Bar Boys: A New Musical
The cast also shared why you should watch Bar Boys:
“Hindi natatapos ang laban,” Benedix Ramos, who plays Erik, said. “Mahalaga ‘yong boses ng Bar Boys. Isa ‘to sa mga umaasang magiging kontribusyon sa pagbabago ng sistema atsaka ng Pilipinas. It’s about real people who are experiencing these struggles and how they’re going to find a solution. We’re finding the solution there on stage. Makikita nila kung paano magu-unfold ‘yong possibilities na puwedeng mangyari kapag we go this way.”
Jerom Canlas, who portrays Torran, echoes Ramos’s statement that the show reflects the Philippines. He said, “‘Yon ‘yong beauty namin kasi we’re talking about Filipino struggles. ‘Yon ‘yong kagandahan ng piyesang ‘to, kahit i-rerun mo siya nang i-rerun, kung ano man ang nangyayari sa bansa, reflection itong musical na ‘to.”
Alex Diaz, who plays Chris, added, “The audience will see themselves. Kung ano ‘yong pinaglalaban natin dati, ito ‘yong laban ngayon. We continue to wake up, fight, and get up again because there will always be battles, and that’s what being a lawyer is about: upholding justice. As actors, we have the privilege of reflecting that mirror to you.”
Omar Uddin, who plays Josh, put it succinctly: “Just come watch the show. Maganda talaga ‘yong show.”
Bar Boys: A New Musical runs for a limited five weeks, from October 4 to November 3, 2024, with six additional shows running from November 7 to 10, 2024, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati.
Tickets to all show dates are now available on Ticket2Me at bit.ly/barboystickets or HelixPay via barefootcollab.helixpay.ph.
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