Teachers join a chorus line

Three mentors are releasing cooped-up classroom energy in “A Chorus Line” the longest-running Broadway musical slated on February 8, 15 and March 1, 7 and 8 at the SM Cinema One with four shows daily to accommodate requests of academic heads for students’ viewing.

The play, directed by multi-awarded playwright and director Al Evangelio, promises to be another hit after his three recently directed shows, “Ang Silya”, “Inday, Paabuta Ako sa Langit” and the vernacular version of the Japanese mystery classic, “Rashomon.”

May Anne Araneta, who teaches English at Cebu Normal University, plays the lead, Cassie, who comes back to New York after failing to make it in Hollywood. May Anne who had gone with the director in a Canadian tour in 1997 as member of the first Philippine dance choir, gets to sing and dance, besides acting the pathetic character presently looking for a mere Chorus hob after a bright lead dancing career in Broadway cut short by a film offer in Los Angeles that failed to be realized. May Anne was cast by Evangelio in the Don Tura Rodriguez’ Zarzuela, “Mini,” and in “Pagkabanhaw,” an Easter Sunday play of San Nicolas Parish where she is an active choir member.

Ria Araneta, besides teaching in the family-owned Araneta Learning Center in Balamban, also oversees it and the two other branches in Bogo and Consolacion. Her love for theater is so intense that she drives a hundred or so kilometers everyday from the three branches to attend rehearsals not only for “A Chorus Line” but for “Oliver” by Benjie Diola, as well.

Elsie Legaspi, the third mentor in the cast, is a graduate of USJ-R who was Dr. Mila Espina’s star in “West Side Story” and “Mama Mia” before assuming a teaching job at the Rainbow Connection Pre-school. “Dancing is my weak spot that’s why I’m trying so hard to correct it. I think that if I can’t give dancing justice neither can my delineation of Val’s role be given same. I’m a Dr. Espina protégé and I can’t let her down before a very demanding and intimidating new director!” she said in jest.

The first day (February 8) shows are already taken in advance by one school and the two early shows of the following Sunday. Interested school/group may call in their reservations through tel. no. 0918 443 5671.