THE idea to stage a Parokya ni Edgar musical started back in 2019, but it was shelved because of the pandemic.

“Buruguduystunstugudunstuy is a “very interesting musical,” according to Full House Theater Company (FHTC) co-artistic director Menchu Lauchengo Yulo.

“This particular musical revolves around four women, who go on a journey to find their true selves,” Menchu explained. “They go through the usual life struggles, identity, what am I worth and they find their answers in this story.

“It’s a very, very interesting perspective into the way Chito’s (Miranda) music is written as we travel in different struggles that they have to confront in the journey to finding self-worth.”

Buruguduystunstugudunstuy is obviously a mouthful to say, a challenge to read and even difficult to remember correctly.

“What a fun musical to create using the music of Parokya ni Edgar,” shared Menchu. “We wanted something different. We were attracted by the music of Parokya ni Edgar and what it had to offer. So that was when the brainstorming happened.

“It was a series of several brainstorming sessions, into the auditions, finding the right cast. Once we had the draft, we knew what we needed.”

Added FHTC co-artistic director Michael Williams, “You know, we are trying to provide our audience with the best, possible, exciting and entertaining productions that we can muster with our resources and talents, great theater artists,”

Even if Buruguduystunstugudunstuy will be staged post pandemic, the musical still comes with challenges for the production. It runs starting April 26.

“Every new musical presents different sets of challenges,” said director Dexter Santos. “This is a highly visual show. Very technical. There are a lot of details that we have to face with regards to the technical.

“Of course, this production is distinct from AHEB (Ang Huling El Bimbo) because this is electric, visual, fast-paced. It’s fantasy, it’s fun, it’s funny but it still has its little tweak sa puso.

“To be given the chance to do Parokya ni Edgar songs and translate it into a theater musical is another blessing. We are all excited. One of the interesting and most beautiful things is the wide array of the type of songs that Parokya ni Edgar have.

“We are able to hear the Parokya songs. Alam natin ‘yan. We fell in love, nagkukulitan tayo with our barkada. It transcends time, classes. It has been part of our lives. There have been Parokya songs that make us laugh, smile, that hurt us.

“We are trying to come up with a show and a musical that will encapsulate all of those things within the identity of the band – makulit, cool, naughty, all of those things.”

Admittedly, it’s a very tall order for direk Dexter and his creative and artistic team to stage a show at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) at Newport World Resorts.

“Apat na teatro yata ang kasya,” Dexter maintained. “Napakalaki ng NPAT. The whole thing of creating a show in that 1,700-seater venue, napakahirap. Our creative team is working so hard.”

Dexter is not wary even about the challenges they need to face for the musical. “Bring it on,” he insisted. “We are capable of handling all those challenges. We are very, very confident with this cast, our creative team and everybody is very collaborative.

“For FHTC, our objective is to provide fresh, new exciting, entertaining theater fare for our audiences. Also, we try to make sure the musical has substance. We remain open what will come and what we will face.

“We have an eye on those things and we try to strike that balance. People walk away from our shows different, enlightened, changed or heartful and inspired. We try to provide our audience with that kind of rollercoaster everywhere.”

Unlike other musicals where male leads take centerstage, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy spotlights four female artists – Felicity Kyle Napuli, Marynor Madamesila, Natasha Cabrera and Tex de Leon – who are the headliners.

The musical has a big cast. Included are Pepe Herrera, Nicco Manalo, plus the 14-piece orchestra – from string, percussion, drums. The cast is slated to dish out 47 Parokya ni Edgar songs throughout the musical.

“As what Rody Vera said, this (musical) is an acid trip,” said Dexter. “This is a wild, wild ride. It’s really the culture of the band and the songs. We want to pay tribute to the fans, as well. This is fast-paced and highly-visual.”

Ejay Yatco is musical director and arranger, Stephen Viñas is choreographer, lights designer is Monino Duque, sound designer is Arvy Dimaculangan, costume designer is Raven Ong, set designer is Lawyn Cruz, video designers are Ga Fallarme and Joyce Garcia.

Ejay revealed that just to listen to the entire discography of Parokya ni Edgar took him two months after he received the script from playwright Rody Vera.

“Hinimay ko talaga ang music ng Parokya at ginawa kong thesis statement,” Ejay said. “We tried to see what songs will fit in every scene. The priority of our arrangement is how to tell the story effectively, given the new arrangement.”