The Sound of Music, according to Roxanne Lapus

MANILA, Philippines - Her name is practically synonymous with dinner-theater productions in the Philippines. In local theater circles, she has gained renown as the director of many a musical and stage play. But Roxanne Lapus recalls — with some amusement — that she was never a big fan of what is certifiably one of the most popular musicals of all time: The Sound of Music.

She even swore she would never direct the play. “That’s primarily because, as a person, I like dark plays like Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables,” explains Roxanne, who first became enamored of theater when she was in grade school in Assumption. “I found Sound of Music too wholesome and family-oriented.”

But fate has a strange way of turning things around. Roxanne, who had been keeping a low profile after producing plays with SRO Philippines for 10 years, had been praying for a project that would rekindle her interest in the theater. Within two days, she received a call from Christine Manalang of Ultimate Entertainment, asking her if she wanted to direct a production of The Sound of Music. In her gut, Roxanne was certain that this was the opportunity she had been praying for. She accepted it with no hesitation.

It has been a wonderful creative venture, she says. In The Sound of Music, Roxanne is directing a cast led by London’s West End veteran Joanna Ampil (who will be alternating with Cris Villonco in the role of Maria) and local theater stalwart Audie Gemora who will star as Captain Von Trapp, alternating with Ed Feist. The ongoing production runs until Dec. 15 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.

Having actors like Joanna, Cris, Audie and Ed on board makes her job as a director much easier. Says Roxanne, “(As the director), I am very privileged to have a very seasoned and professional cast, whose savvy in the theater is the reason that we are able to cope and deliver the required performance level.”

Of course, when you talk of The Sound of Music, the first thing that comes to mind is not the stage play, but the iconic 1965 Hollywood movie musical directed by Robert Wise and which starred the legendary Julie Andrews in the role of Maria, with Christopher Plummer as her Captain Von Trapp.  

Does Roxanne feel pressure to live up to the standards set by the Hollywood movie, which won a total of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture?

Roxanne acknowledges that precisely because the movie is iconic in the minds of people, mounting a stage version of it would be a challenge for any director. So she figured out a way to work some of the images from the film into the production, but at the same time, give it a present-day twist.

Explains Roxanne, “Having read the script, which was written in the 1950s, I saw how the play, in its original form, might be dated and static for today’s generation. So I decided to bring the elements and images of the movie to the play by using the LED wall of Newport Performing Arts Theater, which is the biggest in Asia. Through the video wall, we have recreated and included in our production the strong images of the Alps, Nonberg Abbey and the Trapp’s villa, to name a few. Moreover, the theater is equipped with three lifts and a revolving stage, which we are using to enhance certain scenes.”

And yes, people will be hearing those familiar songs. That is one reason for them to come out and watch The Sound of Music. More importantly, says Roxanne, is that everyone “will find the musical a respite for their souls to watch something pure and refreshing.”