It has been two years since I
essayed the dual roles of Potiphar and the Pharaoh in Holy Name University's
Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
The adaptation was the main
offering of the Languages & Communication Arts Department for the 2011
University Days of Holy Name University of Tagbilaran City
As an English and Communication
Arts faculty member of the the school's College of Arts and Sciences, I was
always given the opportunity to be part of the department's annual musical
adaptations for three consecutive years
I was supposed to play only the
supporting Potiphar role since we always believe that the students should be
given the spotlight since we want them to hone and polish their thespic and
terpsichorean talents onstage
As Potiphar |
HOW I CLINCHED THE ROLE
Two weeks before the show was to
open before a sellout crowd of students and alumni, still no Pharaoh.
So Sir Marianito Luspo, HNU's
Cultural Affairs Director and Ramon Boloron, Languages Department Chair decided
to hold auditions but still no Pharaoh.
Finally, in exasperation (or was it
desperation?), they both looked at me and asked "Can you do an Elvis
Presley impersonation?" "
Oh, that would be a breeze
for me" I
said and the rest, as the cliche goes, was history
During Technical Rehearsals |
Curtain Call: Jubilation and Elation |
As Magaldi in HNU's adaptation of Evita
In a P.E.T.A. Production |
P.E.T.A. EXPERIENCE
But what I am really excited and
proud about is the fact that I was cast by Teatro Bol-anon through Gardy Labad
for a re-interpretation in Visayan of excerpts from F. Sionil Jose's Balikbayan
It was directed by Philippine Educational Theater Arts’ Melvin Lee and assisted by
California-based Center Theater Group’s Lorely Garrote Trinidad.
I got one of the meaty parts after
a read through for "Dong-Ao", the second act of Balikbayan.
Dong-Ao
is the traditional Ilokano ritual wailing usually performed by friends or
relatives of the deceased during the wake and before the coffin is lowered into
the grave
After the show, respected historian
and HNU Cultural Arts Director Marianito Luspo summed it up when he approached
me and remarked"
Raul, you know what? F.
Sionil Jose said that your performance was up to par with that of the actor who
essayed the role in the Cultural Center of the Philippines!
And to think I've always
thought that you were only good for hosting jobs! "
Wow! I was speechless
wow may talent ka pala sa ganyan boss.
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