MANILA, Philippines—“Take Nicole to ‘N.O.A.H.’ She’ll enjoy it!”

This was Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo’s (one of Nicole’s god-moms) endorsement, via text, of Trumpet’s latest offering, “N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat),” playing at the Meralco Theater for two more weekends. I went with my mother and my daughter, with no idea what to expect, except that it’s a modern retelling of the story of Noah’s Ark.

Entering the theater, I noticed that the red stage curtain (a normal fixture at the Meralco) wasn’t drawn. Instead, the stage was exposed: a few piles of garbage, some actors either walking around or lying down —completely in character. Some onlookers occupied the elevated onstage gallery (yes, you can buy tickets to these seats), and Sam Concepcion (who alternates with Fred Lo as the Narrator/God) walking about in the audience, almost unnoticed. He spoke to no one and remained distant. When the show began, it really grabbed our attention. God went up on stage, and set things in motion.

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Sinners of the world appear (a few not-so-subtle likenesses sends me snickering), littering the world with filth and sin, no longer listening to the word of God. Enter Noah (a wonderful Carlo Orosa), who takes it upon himself to clean up his neighbors’ mess. Mrs. Noah (Sheila Francisco, in fine form despite having lost her voice only days before) is his lovely wife and mother of their sons Shem, Ham and Japheth (Marek, Enzo and Ruiz Sison). She is a bountiful and loving presence.

God comes down (he’s seated in the onstage gallery) to test Mr. Noah’s devotion and obedience. Know that this Noah isn’t the most compliant servant of God in this version of the tale: he complains, he questions. Why the ark, why all these animals, why take his family, leave all that he knows behind and close the door?

God pushes, insisting that the bigger picture at the end of the day will provide the answers. Of course they do. We know how the story goes—40 days and nights of unrelenting rain to cleanse the earth, then a rainbow, God’s promise to never again flood the earth.

What the Bible doesn’t narrate is what happens on the ark during the 40 days and nights. “N.O.A.H.” does, in a fun and enjoyable way.

Once the animals figure out a way to cooperate with one another, thanks to Mr. Noah’s guidance, things on the ark run smoothly. And because they now have free time, an animal talent competition takes place! There is a tap-dancing caterpillar, a hip-hop dancing piglet (joined by God in a rousing number that is incredibly entertaining) and an opera tenor giraffe!

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All the performers were so much fun—Carlo and Sheila, Marek, Enzo and Ruiz (I had previously seen Enzo in “Children’s Letters to God,” and I remember being very impressed). I had never seen Sam Concepcion perform before. He was wonderful—engaging, charming, well spoken. He danced, sang and acted his part well.

Everyone in the ensemble deserves a round of applause, too: they were singers, actors, dancers, scenery movers, puppeteers.

Congratulations to Rony Fortich and Jaime del Mundo for creating a really cool incarnation of this well-known Bible story; to John Batalla for the incredible lighting; and Mio Infante for those fabulous sets and costumes (that caterpillar is one to watch). All in all, it’s a great production that tells of the story of God’s love, and how one man’s obedience saved the world.

Yes, God made a promise to us; it’s our turn to make a promise to Him—to be true stewards of this good earth, and care for it (and one another) with all our might.

Off to Bangkok!

Yes, this plane trip is for certain! I’ll be performing at the Queen Sirikit Convention Center on Saturday, September 12 with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. My brother Gerard will be conducting. I’ll be singing plenty of Disney and musical theater, and with that orchestra, it’s sure to be something special. Hope to see you there!