MANILA, Philippines?One of the biggest and most significant original Filipino musicals, ?Cory!,? will be staged in October and November at the Meralco Theater.
Produced by Lourdes ?Bing? Pimentel?s Buhay Isang Awit Foundation, the musical on former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino?s dramatic and inspiring life and times is supported by principal sponsors Smart, PLDT and San Miguel Corp.
Acclaimed
It is written and directed by respected theater artist, Nestor U. Torre, who has directed and/or written acclaimed musicals like ?Katy!,? ?Magnificat,? ?Magsimula Ka,? ?Sino Ka Ba, Jose Rizal?,? ?Birhen ng Caysaysay,? and ?Pag-ibig sa Bayan.?
Producer Bing Pimentel, the wife of Sen. Nene Pimentel, says she decided to ask Torre to create a musical on Cory Aquino as her tribute to the much-admired former president, who has weathered many storms and triumphed over many challenges in the course of her eventful life.
?More than that,? says Bing, ?the musical can be regarded as our country?s collective tribute to Cory, who has inspired the entire nation with her selflessness, deep faith, strong sense of public service, humility and abiding love for all Filipinos, for whom her husband, Ninoy, heroically gave his life.?
Some established stars have expressed their keen interest in appearing in the show, but both Pimentel and Torre have decided to find the best performing talents for the show by opening up all of its roles?from lead to chorus?to open auditions.
The auditions are for performers of all ages, and will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 29 at the Sta. Ana Arts Center. Call Andy at 0919 206-5424 or 564-8370 for details.
Pimentel has composed 19 original songs for the musical, spanning a wide range of themes, emotions and styles to musically vivify the varied dramatic impulses of the script?s unfolding story.
Emotional content
The songs she has composed for past musicals like ?Buhay, Isang Awit? and ?Pag-ibig sa Bayan? have been acclaimed for their affecting emotional content. Some of them have been recorded by name artists like Nora Aunor, Freddie Aguilar and Dulce.
Pimentel hopes that her foundation?s new musical ?will remind generations of Filipinos of the many selfless contributions of Cory and Ninoy, proving that the Filipino is indeed worth fighting and even dying for.?
