There’s still a lot for us to learn from our history, and current events are just proof of such.
If dusting off your old textbooks isn’t appealing right now, Ateneo de Manila University’s Areté and Tanghalang Ateneo will be streaming a stage-to-screen production of a musical about “a man who, though betrayed, imprisoned, and treated as a footnote to the revolution, clung to his desire to unite the Filipinos.” (The old textbooks, you can donate to this library instead.)
“2Bayani: Isang Rock Opera Alay kay Andres Bonifacio” was first staged by Tanghalang Ateneo in 1996, making this online production its first restaging after 26 years.
The musical is directed by Ricardo G. Abad with music and lyrics by Zosimo Quibilan, Jr. and Khavn, and will star indie-folk artist Bullet Dumas as Bonifacio. (An exciting yet fitting casting choice, in this theater fan’s humble opinion, given Dumas’ raw and haunting vocals. I mean, have you heard “Usisa”?)
Joining Dumas in the cast are Tanghalang Pilipino’s Nanding Josef, as well as Alyana Cabral, Larissa Buendia, Ali Figueroa, MC Dela Cruz, Greg Abelardo De Leon, Angelo Galang, Matt Gador, Gabo Tolentino, Pat Libao, Norvin De Los Santos, Meyanne Plamenio, Jam Binay, Nashvie Magracia, Lance Soliman, Pio Bagnol, Austin Gonzales, Michael D. Fernandez, Tara Jamora Oppen, and Jamie Papa.
Staged and shot from Areté’s Hyundai Hall, the musical will be streamed from April 9 to 23 via KTX.ph.