A Cebuano musical on St. Bernadette
“Song of Bernadette,” the touching story of the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes to the young Bernadette Soubirous, now known as St. Bernadette, will be fleshed out on stage at the Centerstage of SM Seaside City Cebu from February 17 to 19.
Songs and dances, alternately fun and heart-rending, all brimming with meaning, are sure to transport theatergoers back to 1858, the time when the Blessed Mother continuously appeared to the young peasant girl in a cave at Massabielle, a poor community near Lourdes, France. “The Lady” eventually revealed herself as The Immaculate Conception.
Ridiculed when she first intimated her encounters with the Blessed Virgin, Bernadette has been famously quoted as saying, “My job is to inform, not to convince.”
People eventually believed the apparitions to be divine as healing miracles were attributed to the waters of a spring at the site where The Lady appeared in Massabielle. A large church has been built at the site and Bernadette was elevated to sainthood in 1933.
This is the show’s second staging. The musical went on stage to appreciative audiences in 2008 as the world celebrated the 150th anniversary of the apparitions in Lourdes, France. This year, the show was revived to mark the 60th anniversary of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Punta Princesa, Cebu City.
“Song of Bernadette” is an original musical put together and performed by multi-awarded Cebuano talents. The script, based on the movie of the same title and the novel by Franz Werfel, is written by musician and playwright Niño James Bañares, who is also the show’s musical director.
The lyrics to the songs were penned by music producer and director Jude Gitamondoc and arranged by Elvis Somosot. Niño Matillano, artist and educator, is the show’s dance director.
Mary Rose Villacastin-Maghuyop, whose mother, Delia, was the artistic director at the show’s first staging, provides artistic direction. Villacastin notes that the play is “refreshing and hopeful.”
“The music is beautifully done; choreography is very dynamic and contemporary. We also have new young actors and they are very
good,” she added. The powerhouse cast of about 80 includes accomplished thespians. One of them, Jessica Arnaiz, who now plays the Mother Superior, was Bernadette in the 2008 staging.
Bernadette is played by Ellaine Matin-ao and Corina Encabo. Fr. Randy Figuracion, SDB, Parish Priest of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, is also in the cast.
“Song of Bernadette” will hold matinees at 2 p.m. and gala performances at 7 p.m .on February 17, 18 and 19 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).
Tickets are available at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Punta Princesa, Cebu City. VIP seating is available at P500 and regular tickets are at P300. Students pay only P150.
One may call Lourdes Shrine Office 261-5393 for reservations and for more information. You may also text or call Boots Figuracion at 0908-8880136 or 0923-5197923.