Rent (Singapore) bids goodbye – with a thousand sweet kisses

(Editor’s Note: Bobby Garcia’s Production of the rock musical Rent, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson opened in Singapore’s excerpts from the journal of the director, Bobby Garcia.)

Feb. 4: We’ve been rehearsing at the GSIS rehearsal studio for about a month now. It has been the smoothest and most fulfilling rehearsal process I have encountered. We work seven-hour days with only Thursdays off. The only trouble we encountered was outside, where the people were trying to oust Estrada. We ended one rehearsal early and trooped over to EDSA where the cast sang Seasons of Love for the crowds. Bituin (Escalante) arranged for us to perform and the experience is surreal. But one I am proud of, nonetheless. We have assembled a truly remarkable cast and crew. The mix of Filipinos and Singaporeans is so special. We are all learning from each other (and laughing at each other when the need arises!). Their love for this show really comes through during the run throughs. You can feel genuine love in the room. I know now, for sure, that this experience can never be duplicated again. How honored I am to be around so much love. I think this is how Jonathan Larson intended this all to be.

Feb. 5: We arrived in Singapore today. As Pam puts it, we are now into phase f*#king Two of the process. In the one month we rehearsed in Manila, we worked six days a week, overthrew a president, made many new friends and put together a musical. Things seemed to be going smoothly until today at the NAIA, Calvin arrives without his passport. Oh boy! But God is on his side and our flight is delayed for an hour. He has his brother rush over with his passport and makes it to the boarding gate a minute before the doors would be shut. Upon arrival in Singapore we have a production meeting and then I head to Taco Bell with Chari to eat all I can because I know there will be no time for a meal for the rest of the day. I drop by the theater and the set is coming along really quickly. They seem to have a very systematic and methodical way of putting it all together. Like a jigsaw puzzle they know the solution to. As night approaches, I look forward to my first sleep in two days.

Feb. 6: Gaurav (Kripalani, SRT Producer) informs me today that the NAC (National Arts Council), has asked us to remove all forms of same sex kissing from the show. I tell him that if we do that we have NO show and it would be compromising the very foundation that this show rests on. I encourage him to find other ways around this. I dropped by the theater before rehearsals and the set looks fantastic. Gerry (Fernandez) is now at it with his lights. He’s a genius. I can’t do without him. Rehearsals tonight were quite emotional. I think it’s beginning to sink in how quickly this will all go. Jake shares how special this is for him and he makes us all feel special. Everyone goes out to eat after rehearsals, I choose to go home, soak in the tub and rest. But I have forgotten to eat and am starving. I contemplate room service but decide not to. At around one in the morning, Calvin knocks on my door and brings me Hainanese Chicken Rice.

Feb. 7: Rent is on the headline of the Life Section of the Straits Times Today. We have been given an R (A) rating by the Government, which prohibits anyone under 18 from watching the show. The NAC has also pulled out all financial support from the production. I ask Gaurav how this all affects us. He tells me that we can no longer advertise the show on radio or TV as R(A) shows are only allowed to advertise in print. He is hoping the corporate sponsors do not pull out. We go on without rehearsals. This is going to be interesting.

Feb. 8: We had our first on stage rehearsal with the band. I suspect it’s all going to be great. The lights look fabulous. Gerry really is the lighting MANASH. The performances of the cast just keep getting better everyday. They continue to surprise and inspire me. Gaurav continues to deal with the NAC. They are asking that we put an announcement before the show about the same sex kissing scenes.

Feb. 10: We just had our first preview audience and they gave the show a standing ovation. It’s a very different audience here. They laugh in a lot of different places, some we never even expected. There are some members of the Filipino press here today including Miriam Quiambao who is interviewing some of the cast for Extra Extra. Ian (Monsod) gets palpitations seeing her. They tell me they are so proud of the Pinoys. We all are. Our evening show wasn’t as great. We had technical difficulties with the lights and sounds. The lighting board over heated and the back up board was still on its way. Jake’s microphone had a short in the circuit so the sound would come in and out. Despite all this, the audience was on their feet again at the end of the show. Needless to say, a long production meeting followed the run.

Feb. 11: We open tonight. We just finished our final preview and it went really well. All the glitches seem to be ironed out. I’m frantically trying to finish all my break a leg gifts and I still have to do my opening night ritual. Ever since I started directing, I have this ritual where I have to listen to Barbra Streisand’s Evergreen before I put on my opening night outfit. Bizarre? It’s a tradition now.