'Lorenzo' producer Christopher de Leon with director Nonon Padilla and composer Ryan Cayabyab.
As far as most of us are concerned, the inspiring story of San Lorenzo Ruiz is about a man who escaped to Japan after being falsely accused of killing a Spaniard during the 17th century. He was then tortured and subsequently killed by the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate for refusing to renounce his Christian beliefs.
That’s not exactly how he is characterized in “Lorenzo”, the ongoing rock musical based on the life and times of the first Filipino saint produced by accomplished actor Christopher de Leon.
Acclaimed veteran playwright Paul Dumol, who co-wrote the theatrical production’s book and lyrics with Christian Valles (credited as Juan Ekis) and in collaboration with Joem Antonio admits to have taken certain creative liberties and, in the process, depicts a more human Lorenzo Ruiz on stage.
“Surviving documents are not clear at all what Lorenzo’s motive was for fleeing Manila, so we felt free to take a stand,” Dumol said. “We would give credence to the rumor that he had murdered someone in Manila, who would have to be a Spaniard on the basis of Lorenzo’s testimony that he had a quarrel with a Spaniard.”
Dumol added that he takes the “blame” for the conjecture presented in Act 2 of the musical that theorizes the motives as to why Lorenzo killed the Spaniard: that he either catches the latter in bed with his wife, he catches him raping his young daughter or even worse, he catches him raping his youngest son.
Presented with this idea as well as having Lorenzo Ruiz’s story told from the point of view of a condemned Filipino awaiting execution in the Middle East in a play within a play context, Dumol said Christopher “liked the implication that even sinners can become saints.”
The actor particularly likes a later part of the story when Lorenzo was being persecuted for being a Christian and actually considered renouncing his faith to gain freedom.
“One part that I love about the whole thing is that Lorenzo was being a human being in lyrics like, ‘Pwede bang sabihin ko sa sarili ko lang na ako’y sa iyo, parang ganoon, pero sa kanila, iba. Like, can I renounce my faith to them pero tayo na lang ang nagkakaintindihan, God?’ Yung scene na yun, it’s very touching,” Boyet admitted.
What makes those lyrics particularly engaging to listen to is the fact that they were also set to the largely uplifting music of Ryan Cayabyab.
“The challenge is to reconcile music with a story that has historical basis. At the same time, kailangan ba kapani-paniwala yung ginagawa natin? Minsan hindi naman yun ang dapat problemahin. What my music is trying to hit is the emotional and spiritual level, not the superficial. It’s not just seeing or hearing that songs are easy to sing. In this case, communication lines are a little deeper,” Mr. C. noted.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Lorenzo is the elaborate production design by Gino Gonzales that makes use of Balikbayan boxes to symbolize what Lorenzo Ruiz means to his convicted namesake in death row.
“The main artistic challenge for me was infusing Lorenzo with a contemporary sensibility and still keep the separation between the parallel stories that happen in different timelines. You see, Lorenzo is not just about Lorenzo Ruiz the saint. It’s also about Lawrence, the doomed OFW, who is also writing the play. Given the limitations of the theater space, I had to find one single image that would tie in everything and this was the Balikbayan Box,” Gonzales pointed out.
Lorenz Martinez and OJ Mariano in a scene from 'Lorenzo'.
Of course, the musical wouldn’t come to life if not for the standout performances of lead actors Lorenz Martinez and understudy Poppert Bernardas as Lorenzo and OJ Mariano as Laurence. The two effectively convey the odyssey of two Filipinos from two different eras, both struggling to overcome mental anguish and spiritual turmoil, as they both help each other question the nature of fate, one’s faith, and the real meaning of love.
Ably supporting them are Julienne Mendoza, Terence Guillermo, Rhenwyn Gabalonzo, Miguel Mendoza and Brylle Mondejar as the missionaries who were tortured and eventually killed along with Lorenzo for refusing to turn back on their Christian faith.
Sheila Valderrama and alternate Mayen Estañero also shine as Lorenzo’s wife, Rosario; Camille Lopez-Molina and understudy Celine Fabie as the reporter as well as Noel Rayos, Brezhnev Larlar and Melanie Dujungco.
“It’s a beautiful story, with a rich background featuring the Japanese, the Spaniards and the Portuguese. You got things like tortures, beautiful songs, it’s something really special,” Boyet enthuses in explaining the project he has been wanting to produce as far back as 2007.
While the musical is only in its initial “off-Broadway” run this month, Dumol has announced that the play will have its official “Broadway” staging at the Cultural Center of the Philippines around July of next year.
Presented by De Leon through Green Wings Entertainment Network and directed by Nonon Padilla, “Lorenzo” is being staged at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde SDA Theater. Remaining playdates are September 13 and 14. For ticket and more information, visit http://www.lorenzorocks.com.
Christopher de Leon presents a more ‘human’ depiction of San Lorenzo Ruiz in rock musical
Source: InterAksyon.com (September 13, 2013 at 01:46PM)
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