Chito Miranda in awe of ‘Parokya Ni Edgar’ musical
WHEN the cast and creative team of “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical” held a special preview at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, there was no one in the audience more in awe than Parokya Ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda.
It was not only because he enjoyed the re-arrangement of the band’s hit songs — “Halina sa Parokya,” “Mr. Suave,” “Don’t Think,” “Magic Spaceship,” “Gitara,” and “Harana,” among others.
More importantly, he was in awe of how far his “amateur garage band” has come.
“Our perception of our band up to now is that of an amateur garage band — we’re just a bunch of guys toying with our guitars. We are not musicians, we’re just a bunch of entertainers,” Miranda said in an interview after the musical showcase.
Due to this perception, Miranda admitted that they had difficulty agreeing to the idea of a musical based on Parokya Ni Edgar’s songs.
“We are reluctant to involve our band when it comes to anything this major. We are totally against the idea. That’s also the reason why we never had a major concert. It’s not false humility, it’s just that we don’t have the trust when it comes to our band and our music.”
So what made them change their mind?
“The game-changer was when I cried after seeing Ang Huling El Bimbo [the musical based on the songs of Eraserheads]. When I learned that it was the same team handling our musical, I said game.
“It was like jumping into a relationship that I am not sure of but I trust the partnership so much that I said go ahead,” Miranda recalled.
At the press conference and preview, the cast also revealed their characters’ names which are all derived from the tracks in Parokya ni Edgar’s discography.
The four women leading the cast, Felicity Kyle Napuli, Marynor Madamesila, Tex Ordoñez-De Leon, and Natasha Cabrera, play the roles of Aiza, Jen, Norma, and Girlie, respectively.
Supporting cast members include Pepe Herrera as Mr. Suave, Noel Comia as Tikmol, Nicco Manalo as Mang Jose, and Jasper Jimenez as Tito Ralph.
Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical boasts a seasoned creative team assembled by Newport World Resorts through their production arm, Full House Theater Company (FHTC).
The new production reunites some of the geniuses behind the most-watched Filipino musical Ang Huling El Bimbo. Returning at the helm are Director Dexter Santos and FHTC Co-Artistic Directors Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Michael Williams.
Theatergoers better get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions. “In terms of feels, it will be a lot of fun. It will be naughty. It has a wide range of comedy. It can be dark most of the time and some of the time, but also there’s love and there’s romantic excitement,” Santos said.
Critically acclaimed and versatile writer Rody Vera also joined the creative team as the playwright along with musical genius Ejay Yatco as the musical director and arranger.
The story of the musical hints at a whirlwind of unpredictable twists and turns around four women who find themselves at the crossroads of their individual challenges. As fate intertwines their paths, they embark on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, resilience, and unbreakable bonds.
“Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical” premiers on April 26 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are available at all TicketWorld and SM Tickets outlets, HelixPay and Newport World Resorts Box Office.