RAMA, HARI, the
highly-acclaimed Filipino rock opera ballet, returns to the stage this
September. The production holds the prestige of being the only collaboration
that features the masterful works of five National Artists, Alice Reyes for
Direction and Choreography, Ryan Cayabyab for Music, Salvador Bernal for
Production Design, and Bienvenido Lumbera for the lyrics and libretto with
English Translations by Rolando Tinio. Presented by the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts, in partnership with the Metropolitan Theater, the
Cultural Center of the Philippines, and with the generous support of Birch Tree
Adult Boost, the production features artists from CCP’s Professional Artist
Support Program and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines with performances running at
the Metropolitan Theater on September 15-16, and at the Samsung Performing Arts
Theater, September 22-23, 2023.
Inspired
by the ancient Sanskrit epic, Ramayana, the ballet tells of
the adventures of Rama, prince and incarnation of the god Vishnu, who comes down
to earth to save the world from Ravana, the most powerful of demons and in time
falls in love with Sita, daughter of the king of Mithila, Janaka, and
eventually marries her. The evil Ravana attempts to tear the two apart only to
find himself defeated and his demonic plans thwarted. 
Quite
coincidentally, in the late 70s and early 80s a new musical genre was born,
referred to as OPM, or Original Pilipino Music; and herein lies the uniqueness
in the adaptation of the legend having the distinction of being the first OPM
music and dance theater masterpiece.
Alice Reyes took
the challenge of weaving the dancers and singers within the music score,
instead of separating them, creating a wholistic staging. Reyes uses diverse
elements derived from Asian theater such as the shadow play, various hand
props, and Indian movements transposed to choreography in the modern dance
genre.
The music of Ryan
Cayabyab is an intermingling of various Southeast Asian musical influences
rather than South Asian (Indian) with a dash of Western influence as heard in
the monkey chant. The mixed influences of his music altogether “ Filipinized
the score,” as he refers to his work as an “ eclectic piece,” a style that has
eventually become his musical signature.
Complementing the music
is the libretto of Bienvenido Lumbera, whose script has varying levels: an
elevated diction for the protagonist and Filipino slang for the demons. The
theatrical reason being that “the intrusion of a very contemporary diction
could jar the audience into perceiving that the ancient epic of India is also
“now” and “Filipino.”’ An English translation projected during the performance
is the work of Rolando Tinio.
Salvador Bernal’s
set designs further outline his stylized ornamented Oriental costumes.
RAMA, HARI was
last re-staged in 2012 and won 14 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards. It was intended
to be re-staged once more in 2020 but was canceled due to the pandemic
lockdown. This year, the long-awaited re-staging of RAMA, HARI will
open in September with excited expectations.
This year, the
creative team searched for new talents to join the cast and take on some of the
production’s iconic singing roles.
The cast includes
musical theater star, Arman Ferrer in the lead role of Rama with Vien King
alternating. They will perform alongside dancers Ronelson
Yadao and Ejay Arisola.
Karylle
Tatlonghari, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, and fresh-face talent Nica Tupas
alternate in the role of Rama’s beloved wife, Sita, with dance counterparts,
Monica Gana, and Katrene San Miguel.
Rak of Aegis Star, Poppert
Bernadas, takes on the role of the demon King Ravana, alternating with Los
Angeles-based musical theater actor Mathew San Jose making his Manila
debut, and Jonel Mojica. Dancing the role are Richardson Yadao and Tim
Cabrera.
Theater icon Audie Gemora takes on the role of King Dasaratha. Also
joining the cast are Katrine Sunga and Maron Rozelle Mabana in the dual role of
King Dasaratha's Third Wife, Kaikeyi, and the Golden Doe, while Miah Canton,
and Raflesia Bravo take on the dual role of Kaikeyi's evil adviser, Kooni, and
Ravana's demon sister Soorpanakha.
Paw Castillo and Jon Abella do double duty as Monkey Army General,
Hanuman, and Rama’s brother Lakshmana.
The showing of this
grand epic is a timely presentation for the first show of ARDP after its
celebration of its first anniversary last July 23. Starting with a press
conference hosted by a heritage restaurant, Milky Way, which opened its doors
in 1950 serving memorable dishes that have been relished by at least three generations
of Filipinos. Keeping with the theme of RAMA, HARI, an Indian legend,
Kashmir Restaurant, established in 1975, will also be coming on as a sponsor.
Kashmir is now owned by Leon Araneta, son of Gemma Cruz Araneta, the country’s
first Miss International in 1964. Both Ms. Araneta and Ms. Reyes were
classmates at Maryknoll College where both are honored as Outstanding
Alumnae.
Altogether, RAMA,
HARI is indeed a celebration on many levels and truly an extreme reason
for not missing the show.
RAMA, HARI is
presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in partnership
with the Metropolitan Theater, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and with
the generous support of Birch Tree Adult Boost. It features the artists of
Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) and the CCP’s Professional Artist Support
Program (PASP), with dance trainees from Guang Ming College, Philippine High
School for the Arts, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, and other
independent performers.
SHOW SCHEDULE:
September 15, 2023
| Friday | 7:30 PM | Metropolitan Theater*
September 16, 2023
| Saturday | 2:00 PM | Metropolitan Theater
September 16, 2023
| Saturday | 7:30 PM | Metropolitan Theater*
September 22, 2023
| Friday | 7:30 PM | Samsung Performing Arts Theater*
September 23, 2023
| Saturday | 2:00 PM | Samsung Performing Arts Theater
September 23, 2023
| Saturday | 7:30 PM | Samsung Performing Arts Theater**
*With live music
performed by The Orchestra of the Filipino Youth
**Evening
Performance Sponsored by Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp.
FUTURE SHOWS:
CARMEN AND OTHER
SPIRITS, a mixed bill featuring Alice Reyes’ CARMEN, with Production Design by National Artist Salvador Bernal, and gems in the Filipino Dance Repertoire including, Alden Lugnasin’s “Swimming the Ilog Pasig,” Ronelson Yadao’s “Two,” and Lester Reguindin’s “Now.”
Oct. 20-21, 27-28,
2023
PUSO NG PASKO,
an all-Filipino Christmas Ballet celebrating Paskong Pinoy and paying homage to the different fiestas across the Philippine islands. Set to the timeless music
of our favorite Filipino Christmas carols arranged by National Artist for
Music, Ryan Cayabyab.
Dec. 1-2, 2023
Subscribe to ARDP’s 2023 Dance Season and celebrate the best of Filipino artistry and talent! For season subscriptions and ticket reservations, email ardancephilippinesinc@gmail.com. For more
information, check @ARDancePh on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
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