Repertory Philippines' Beauty & the Beast Children's Theatre at Onstage Greenbelt

Musicals come in many forms and can be singular experiences in different world cultures. We have had our own great traditions of musical theatre and many of our classical and folk theatrical forms are rooted in music and singing. After fashion, it may be said that our films are well-crafted musicals. Yet the idea of razzmatazz...the grand spectacle in musical theatre is similar to that from Broadway/West End that has proved to be incredibly successful. Its allure and extraordinariness are bankrolled and bundled in an 'experience' that must be had, that must be consumed. Repertory Philippines' latest offering for their Children's Theatre, staging Beauty and the Beast, the original tale by novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. But of course, they also included some entertaining elements from the 1991 well-loved Disney film. Thus, this tale as old as time story also offers the same thrill and magical experience.

Sure, it may not be from Disney, but it's still as magical and awesome as I remember it to be. And as expected in any REP production, director Joy Virata, who is also the artistic director for REP, delivers a predictable, yet resounding spectacle, complete with spectacular sets, orchestrated lighting, choreography, and the works. 

The production is also distinguished by its cast. The main cast is solid. They are competent singers as well as actors, thus doing justice to the nature of a musical. The star of the show is clearly Cara Barredo who plays Beauty, but George Schulze, the guy who played the Beast, is fairly good too. Cara [as Beauty] seems perfect in her role.  

Mimi and Fifi [Beauy's sisters] with their suitors Pierre and Jacques

For REP's production of Beauty and the Beast, the story began with a merchant returning home from a failed business trip who sought shelter from a storm in a seemingly unoccupied palace with an enchanted rose garden. After the storm subsides, he plucks a rose from the garden to give to the youngest of his three daughters, only to discover that the palace and garden are enchanted and owned by a terrifying beast. The beast demands that the merchant send his youngest daughter, Beauty, to live with him in payment for the rose, a demand to which the brave maiden agrees.

Beauty with her sisters Mimi and Fifi

Schulze is one of the most articulate actors I have known and can deliver his lines with humour, irony or sarcasm as the case may be. The rest of the team, including the table, the chair, the roses, the candelabra, the silver rose—were all in their element. Quite remarkably, staging the said show can really be a challenge. The flip side though is that this is clearly an attempt, albeit a sincere one, to recreate the 'Disney live action' recent film [which had no less than Emma Watson (Harry Potter's Hermione Granger) as Beauty]. Comparisons in any case would be unfair. But could this REP version have been more challenging and persuasive? Perhaps. 

Cara Barredo plays as Beauty while George Schulze plays the Beast/Prince

I had almost forgotten this classic fairy-tale with its origins in France. When early in the show, Beauty gets exuberant about dreams and adventure, and being the 'odd' one in her family, I sat up. Aah, she brought me back to my childhood as I relish the 1991 Disney film inside my thoughts. Of course, she plies the familiar route eventually, but not before she has the guts to love a 'beast' and reveals that beauty need not be external. It's a perfectly acceptable moral by a spirited heroine for children to take home. Watch this production with your little ones, the bigger ones, or otherwise, and you are in for a captivating theatrical experience with the very capable and charming Cara Barredo leading the show.

Repertory Philippines: 50 Golden Years of World-Class Theatre

My REP 50 Years of Telling Story ticket

Repertory Philippines [REP] came about because of one dream—that dream of bringing world class theatre experience to the Filipinos. Half a century of existence is really something to be happy about as REP have remained a stable reputable theatre company to date. They’ve recently marked their 50^th year in the entertainment industry by coming up with a two-hour show held at The Theatre at Soilare with 135 performers onstage and seven musical suites that gave audiences a glimpse of how the REP had its humble beginnings.

One of REP's heart-stopping performances during that night

The 50 Years of Telling Stories was indeed a clear testament of the theatre company’s success. The two hour show highlighted everything important to every REP—from production staff, personnel, musicians, actors, directors and benefactors—practically all who contributed to the success of the said theatre company.

“REP will go on telling stories, training Filipino talents and sharing the best of theatre for years to come,” said Repertory Philippines president Mindy Perez-Rubio.

Leo Martinez, one of REP's founding member

In its five decades of existence, REP has produced 80 seasons with 444 theater productions. Their home has moved from the old Insular Life Theater to the William J. Shaw Theatre in Shangri-La Plaza Mall and today, performances are made at Onstage Greenbelt in Makati City.