"A Chorus Line" for Cebu's legitimate stage

Cebu’s Millennium awardee for Most Outstanding Individual in the Performing Arts, Al Evangelio, is kept busy nowadays by snowballing stage projects that range from Japanese classics to passion plays. But the most difficult of these assignments is mounting the longest-running Broadway Musical, “A Chorus Line,” which is slated for February 8 and 15, March 1, 7 and 8, at the SM Cinema One with four shows daily starting at 12:00 noon.

What makes it complicated are the very professional demands of singing, dancing and acting. “Those chosen from the auditions and private screenings can either sing or dance or act, but can’t excel in all. The eternal problem of discipline compounded the pressure. I have dismissed so many young, would-be-great performers in this particular play because they cannot obey the regulations of punctuality and presence. Maybe because these kids were not taught the value of time and they find it strange that they are commanded to come at the appointed moment,” the director shared.

“A Chorus Line” essays the fears, the frustrations and the dreams of a performing artist as he lines up for the audition where he is made to dance an impromptu routine in ballet and jazz.

The search for the major cast reached as far as Pinamungahan where Sinulog winning choreographer, Hercules “Boboy” Sebalosa, asked members of the group to audition. However, despite friendship, Evangelio took in only four boys and one girl from a dozen eager talents. The lucky girl is Mae Axel Bonghanoy, the grand prize winner in the first search for a Singing Pinamungahan Idol. Jescel Alfeche, Manman Peña, Cheiloh Reyes and Rio Dejito also joined the cast.

Just recently, the cast was completed with Elsi Me Legaspi (USJ-R), Malasya Macaraeg (STC), Nilifer Orbes, Ria Araneta, May Ann Araneta, Angelique Tupas (CNU), Regine Ann Villanueva and Brian Dmitri Lapinid (C.I.T.), Jace Magallanes (CTI), Jonie Casinto, Joanne Ramirez, Francis Elwin Cabiluna, Joey Lufe Pasculado (SWU), Emmanuel Jones Mante and Carlo Alonso (USC), Floro Arpon (UV), Lorenz Angelo Evangelio and Alfie Mosqueda (UC) as the play choreographer.