How to weave a story around a rock band’s humor-laced songs
Newport World Resort’s Full House Theater Company present this April a new original Filipino production, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical
March 26, 2024
The cast and creative team of 'Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical' with Chito Miranda
The first time Parokya ni Edgar performed at Club Dredd in the early 1990s, the crowd of rockers thought they saw a circus act. It was quite a sight: each of the band’s members dressed in outlandish costumes, playing tunes brimming with humor, the whole thing almost like a comedy revue.
But when the songs reached a wide audience through albums with gibberish titles (most probably private jokes), it became apparent that this was a band that also knew how to rock while having loads of fun.
Fast-forward to 2024: Media members sit in rapt attention as Newport World Resorts’ Full House Theater Company (FHTC) reveals the cast of Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical — an original Filipino production featuring the band’s songs weaving through a storyline crafted by Rody Vera, with musical direction by Ejay Yatco, and stage direction by Dexter Santos.
The idea was to avoid doing another Ang Huling El Bimbo, Santos said, referring to the wildly successful musical based on the songs of another Club Dredd-bred band, The Eraserheads.
If Ang Huling El Bimbo had sadness in its plot, we did the opposite, Vera said, adding that he had a tough time writing Buruguduystunstugudunstuy because he wasn’t familiar with the band’s songs.
The cast performs a medley of Parokya ni Edgar songs
We sat down and spent two months listening to the entire Parokya ni Edgar discography, Yatco pointed out.
Together the creative team wove a story of four women who find themselves at the crossroads of their individual challenges as they embark on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, resilience, and unbreakable bonds.
Each of the main characters’ names are found in Parokya’s songs, Vera said, such as Aiza (played by Felicity Kyle Napuli), Jen (Marynor Madamesila), Norma (Tex Ordoñez-De Leon), and Girlie (Natasha Cabrera).
Pepe Herrera is Mr. Suave; Noel Comia, Tikmol; Nicco Manalo, Mang Jose; and Jasper Jimenez, Tito Ralph.
Parokya frontman Chito Miranda admitted he never imagined the band’s songs could sound good and touching in the context of the musical.
FHTC Co-Artistic Directors Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Michael Williams beamed with pride and excitement as they formally invited the public to catch the show.
Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical premieres on April 26 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Matinee shows at 3 p.m. on April 27 and 28; May 4, 5, 11, and 12; and June 8. Evening performances at 8 p.m. on April 26 and 27; and May 3,4, 10, 11, and 17.
Tickets are available at all TicketWorld and SM Tickets outlets, HelixPay and Newport World Resorts Box Office: P5,525 (SVIP), P4,420 (VIP), P3,315 (Gold), P2,210 (Silver), and P1,105 (Bronze).
Visit www.newportworldresorts.com/buruguduy-stun-stugudun-stuy and follow @newportworldresorts and @nwr.musicals on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and @nwresorts on Twitter. Sign up for an Epic Membership or download the Epic Rewards Mobile App for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
