More than a month to go before One More Chance, The Musical opens on 12 April, yet the latest offering of the Philippine Educational Theater Association is already sold out. PETA has thus decided to extend the 50-show run of the stage play adaptation of Star Cinema’s 2007 blockbuster that also features the music of today’s foremost band, Ben&Ben. It will now run until 30 June, instead of the 16th, at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Tickets to the new dates will be available starting 7 March.
PETA made the announcement in a media huddle held on 29 February at its own Theater Center. It also formally introduced the cast led by lead actors Sam Concepcion and CJ Navato (alternating as Popoy, originated in film by John Lloyd Cruz), and Anna Luna and Nicole Omillo (sharing the role of Basha, first played by Bea Alonzo in the movie). The cast members performed a few scenes they especially worked on for just two days as their rehearsals will only officially commence this March.
“It’s a seven-year journey,” said Maribel Legarda, the director of One More Chance, The Musical. “We started in 2017. PETA and Star Cinema have two different versions of how it started. Their version is that PETA approached Star Cinema. Our version is Star Cinema approached us. At the end of the day, ang pinakaimportante ay nangyari s’ya (the most important thing is it happened). Sometimes may mga bagay na hindi nangyayari kahit ano pang gawin n’yo (there are things that don’t happen no matter what you do). So nangyayari ito (this happened) because it’s meant to happen here now. We’re excited.”
Legarda then recalled bringing Ben&Ben into the project when they decided to use already existing music, and the nine-piece group sure has a whole catalogue of songs that complements the romance and pathos of One More Chance.
She pointed out, “You have two icons from two different time frames. It’s such an interesting creative exercise, as well as how we feel it works. The musical has tones and ideas of Ben&Ben merging into the story that was created in 2007.”
The musical’s playwright Michelle Ngu-Nario assured fans of the well-loved movie that Popoy and Basha’s love story remains intact: “Kasi malaki ang respeto namin sa materyal (Because we have so much respect for the material). Alam namin na maraming nagmamahal sa kuwento (We know a lot of people love the story), so, as I’ve said, we’re not trying to deconstruct it.
“Kung ano ang napanood n’yo sa pelikula, makikita n’yo (Whatever you watched in the movie you’ll see here) and more. Kung ano ang (What’s) ‘and more,’ ’yun po ang (that’s what makes it) exciting. What else can you add to something so beautiful? May ikaka-beautiful pa pala s’ya (It can still be more beautiful).”
After the script was finalized, musical director Myke Salomon shared what happened next in the creative process: “Nag-second level kami ng discussion and argument. Doon paano namin hihimayin ang mga (There, we broke down the) verses. How do we break the context of the song para pumasok sa (to get into the) character? Paano natin gagawing barkada song ito? (How do we make this a song about a group of friends?) ’Yun ang masaya sa (That’s the fun part in the) musical. You break walls and go crazy. Ang saya lang na ang daming songs na puwede naming paglaruan (It’s fun that there are lots of songs we can play with).”
Turning up at the event signified Ben&Ben’s members’ stamp of approval. Guitarist and vocalist Miguel Benjamin remarked on hearing their songs being performed by actors on stage: “Kapag nag-blend ’yung mga art, nakaka-overwhelm s’ya. Bilang part kami ng gumawa ng music, parang out-of-body experience. Movie na mahal na mahal din namin (When different artforms blend, they result is overwhelming. As part of those who made the music, it’s like an out-of-body experience. We also love the movie.)
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