Mula Sa Buwan 2024: Cast Interviews and What to Expect
In case you need convincing.
(SPOT.ph) Mula Sa Buwan needs no introduction, but here's one anyway: The all-original Filipino musical by Pat Valera and William Elvin is making a comeback at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater starting Friday, August 16.
Written in 2009, the retelling of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac and Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo's Filipino translation of the French classic has touched many hearts with its themes of unrequited love and survival amidst adversity. You can go as far as to liken Mula Sa Buwan to productions such as Miss Saigon or The King and I, what with its timeless and relatable tale from a time long gone. And after 16 years, several stagings, a pandemic, and a limited-time-only online release, the play still sells seats. What is this play's draw?
Also read: Spotlight: Ang Mula sa Buwan Bilang Liham ng Pag-Ibig Para sa Sining
Why should you watch Mula Sa Buwan in 2024:
For Mula Sa Buwan 2024 Director Mikko Angeles, this year's run delves deeper into the heart and core of the story: the struggles and unrequited love of poet-turned-soldier Cyrano. Gone now are the attempts to be like other musicals in terms of production. Angeles and his team went into this staging with a clearer understanding of the story they wanted to tell.
"Marami kaming explorations and discoveries from previous runs. Ang kaya kong sabihin ngayon ay meron siyang sense of familiarity. It may look the same and remind you of the previous runs, but somehow, it brings you a new feeling," says Angeles.
Returning lead and Musical Director Myke Salomon describes the 2024 production as a fresh start. "Kung ano yung nangyari noong 2022, siguro panibagong version ito, panibagong pagkatao ni Cyrano," Salomon tells SPOT.ph.
The Cast of Mula Sa Buwan 2024:
But more than the source material and production flair, any theater fan will tell you what a special sauce a stellar cast adds to the mix.
Barefoot Theater Collective is bringing back Myke Salomon, Gab Pangilinan, and MC Dela Cruz to reprise their roles as Cyrano, Roxane, and Christian—which comprise the main love triangle.
"I feel like, whenever I have a chance or opportunity to reprise a role, it's always a gift. It's text that you can learn again. I think it's also a way for me to push myself," says Gab Pangilinan. "It's a role I've done [in] two runs before, and this time, it's with a new director. So I feel like I'm just learning it all over again, and it's a privilege to do that because we don't always get to do that in Philippine theater."
"It’s a tall order to play Cyrano again," Salomon adds. "Pero hanggang pinipili pa rin nila ako to tell the story; I will do my best to honor the character of Cyrano."
Coincidentally, Pangilinan and Salomon got engaged during the 2022 run of Mula Sa Buwan. For fans of the thespian couple, this will be Gab and Myke's first time returning to the stage where their love story evolved, so it would be nice to find out if married life will enrich their performances, if it will add to their stage chemistry. According to Pangilinan, they'll bring what they learned from each other over the past two years to the play, and their personal truths and experiences into Roxane and Cyrano.
Other actors from the 2022 run will return to the Mula Sa Buwan stage as well. Phi Palmos and Jillian Ita-as will reprise their roles as Rosanna and Gabriel, respectively, and some of the beloved cadets like Rapah Manalo (Rosario), Khalil Tambio (Limon), Jep Go (Gimo), and Ericka Peralejo (Carissa), and several ensemble members are also making a return engagement.
"Mayroon tayong bagong direktor, who is telling the story with us and a new cast—mga bagong kalaro ni Cyrano. Dahil doon may bagong friendship na nabubuo. 'Yung dynamics ay napakafresh. In fact, kahit ako di ko pa ito nakikita kaya excited ako kung anong makikita pag nasa loob na yung audience," remarks Salomon.
The new cast members, who are sure to bring fresh new energy to the troupe, include Bar Boys alum Jerome Canlas. Canlas says he dove deep into Philippine history for inspiration for his role, Tato. He is joined by fellow Bar Boy Omar Uddin {who will play Maestro], Brian Sy [as Maximo], and a slew of other talented ensemble members.
Tying everything together in this production are the impressive contributions of Ohm David, Meliton Roxas Jr., and Bonsai Cielo who are in charge of set design, lighting, and costumes respectively. These visual elements help bring the story to life, transporting audiences back to a vibrant 1940s Manila full of harana, kundiman, and tales of passion and friendship. Of course these elements also eventually take viewers to a barren, war-torn landscape for the show's second half. TBH, don't sleep on the visuals. The props and design are so good that several cast members already have their eye on certain pieces they want to take home as memorabilia.
Indeed there are many reasons why this staging of Mula Sa Buwan is a must-watch. But the biggest reason of all? It's because, at some point, we've all been Roxane, blinded by love and failing to see what's right in front of us. We've all been Christian, taking a risk for something bigger than ourselves. And we've all been Cyrano, brilliant but lacking the confidence to pursue our dreams until it's too late. If we haven't spelled it out already: Mula Sa Buwan is everyone's story.
How to get tickets to Mula Sa Buwan 2024:
Tickets to the show can be ordered through Ticketworld's website and in Ticketworld outlets nationwide. Ticket prices range from P1,029 to P3,707.
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