Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag now a musical
Grand Leisure Corp. is set to make local musical theater history with the staging of Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, The Musical.
It is but fitting that Joel Lamangan is helming the stage musical version of the Edgardo Reyes novel which spawned the Lino Brocka classic film version that starred Bembol Roco and Hilda Koronel.
Among his contemporaries, Lamangan is widely-regarded as the most adept social chronicler with films like The Flor Contemplacion Story, Hubog, Bulaklak Ng Maynila and others to his credit.
In 2013, Lamangan was named artistic director of Gantimpala Theater Foundation under which he directed the musical Katipunan: Mga Anak ng Bayan.
Arman Ferrer, Sheila Valderrama-Martinez and Lara Maigue easily fill the bill. Ferrer plays Julio Madiaga. Valderrama Martinez and Maigue are alternating as Ligaya Paraiso.
Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, The Musical resonates today because it “shows that in the midst of the squalor, despair and violence, pure love still exists like the one shared by Julio Madiaga and Ligaya Paraiso,” says Lamangan.
Also in the cast are Floyd Tena (Pol), Noel Rayos (Atong), Rafa Siguion-Reyna and Joseph Puducay (Imo), Aicelle Santos and Rita Daniela (Perla), Jim Pebanco/Joseph Billezar (Mr. Balajadia), Khalil Kaimo (Gido), Jeffrey Camanag (Omeng), Romcel Binquis (Benny), Randy Rey (Frank), and Dulce and Ima Castro alternating as Mrs. Cruz.
Performances are scheduled on Sept. 30, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. (gala); Oct. 1, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Oct. 4, 8 p.m.; Oct. 5, 8 p.m.; Oct. 6, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Venue is at the KIA Theater in Cubao, Quezon City.
For ticket inquiries, call Bards Lapid at 0917-8466704, 897-7142, 890-0853, 8906067 or Ticketnet at 911-5555.