“LIWANAG sa Dilim,” the Rico Blanco musical to be staged by 9 Works Theatrical this March at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Theater, originally had an earlier schedule with a different cast back in 2020.

The musical also had a different title, “Elesi,” taken from one of Rivermaya’s hit songs written by Rico. This time, Elesi is just a character in the musical.

Director Robbie Guevarra started writing the script back in 2018 and they were eyeing a 2020 run in August. Hence, they also started auditioning talents for the cast.

“A lot has changed the past five years from the time ‘Liwanag sa Dilim’ was written,” direk Robbie admitted. “We never intended to use the song for political purpose.”

Former Vice President Leni Robredo, however, used “Liwanag sa Dilim” for her presidential campaign in 2022.

“We had to redo auditions everybody again when the pandemic was gone,” added 9 Works Theatrical managing director, Santi Sta. Maria. “There were a lot who auditioned the second time. We just had a problem with the availability of talents.

“There were other productions going to open at the same time. We couldn’t get other talents. A lot of the ‘One More Chance’ people got to us when they became available. There were the Jose Mari Chan musical, ‘Jepoy and the Magic Circle’.”

The present cast of “Liwanag sa Dilim” totals to 23 talents, according to Santi. The cast will be headlined by Khalil Ramos, Anthony Rosaldo, CJ Navato, Vien King, Alexa Ilacad and Nicole Omillo.

Rico’s songs during his Rivermaya days were included in the lineup. “None when he went solo and none of Rivermaya’s without Rico,” Robbie clarified. “Up until then, that era, will be used in the musical.

“All in all, there are 40 numbers. We had to remix some songs or use for transition.”

Liberties to get one song and mesh it up with another, Rico gave permission to do it. Musical director for “Liwanag sa Dilim” is Daniel Bartolome.”

Robbie followed the process that he studied each song of Rivermaya written by Rico. “That was standard,” Robbie explained. “What was this song about or how can we re-interpret this song.

“I wrote everything down then I outlined it and segregated it. Which ones can be fast production numbers, which ones can be ballads. Which ones can be transported to ballads, like ‘Kisapmata?’

“In 2018, when we were still rehearsing ‘Eto Na, Musikal nApo’ for the Apo Hiking Society, that was when I met Rico. That was when he gave his nod to do the musical. I got excited as soon as Rico gave permission.”

Scenographer Mio Infante wanted something horror. Dramaturg Jonjon Martin wanted something period.

“Me, I was listening to both and also getting influence with what I would watch and see what I would come with,” said Robbie.

“There was also a book that I thought would be possible, but it was not possible. Then, I zeroed in on the story. Then when I got the concept, I looked for the songs.

“That was when Jonjon really came in. That was his work as dramaturg, to fit the songs and how we could really interpret it. I’m a hopeless romantic, that’s why I also want romance in the story.

“For this one, the composer had a list of priority songs to use, how we could interpret it and what songs not to use,” explained Robbie. “That was complicated with the cost of the songs.

“All of those things, we went through with that from the 2020 run, where things were very, very different. That changed, as well.

“Ever since we resumed theater, we had to consider the Gen Z and the younger millennials also have their preferences in terms of entertainment. We also had to consider that and which we had to be open to, since they are the future audiences.”

In order to service that, Robbie enlisted a fresh graduate from UP Los Baños, Elise Gabrido, who took up Communication Arts as is now the assistant to the director at 9 Works Theatrical.

“Elise presented to me a play called ‘Happy Days’ that she previously directed and what she did with it conceptually blew my mind off,” offered Robbie.

“That was so different. I asked her to join us on board to be the voice of the Gen Zs from a female’s perspective. Usually, males are the creatives. I really wanted to touch on both. Her (Elise) contribution really reshaped the show.

“We don’t want to forget my generation, millennials. But they’ll come because this is Rico Blanco. Hopefully, the story brings more for the GenZs. We wrote this story for the future generation. Unlike with Apo, we really wrote it for Gen X-up.”

Robbie was careful not to alter any song that Rico composed. “But if a girl sings a song that a guy originally sang, the gender will be different,” Robbie said.

“Or there are lines that we need to transpose to plural, instead of ‘sa ‘yo’ nagiging ‘sa inyo.’ Very, very light. I won’t change key words of the songs. That was part of the challenge.

Rico had particularly no restrictions on what songs to use for the musical, although he was not part of the selection process.

“In terms of what not to touch, I asked Rico,” said Robbie. “He’s had several hits already from his Rivermaya days.

“He had this ‘Please use these songs’ list. I was kind of adamant of just Rivermaya. But I want to make a concept for the show. Rico was more strict with the notes.

“He visited one rehearsal and corrected some notes. For some reason, even his choice of notes was personal.”

The Rivermaya song, “Liwanag sa Dilim” is also the theme of the ABS-CBN primetime series, “Incognito,” with Richard Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, Daniel Padilla and Baron Geisler.

“By design, Rico gave permission to that so that its release will be timed with our musical,” Robbie informed. “We wanted to do this last year for Rivermaya’s anniversary concert, but resources wise, that wasn’t possible.”

Joining “Liwanag sa Dilim” as assistant director is Lorenz Martinez, PJ Rebullida as choreographer, Shakira Villa-Symes as lighting designer, Aji Manalo as sound engineer/designer, GA Fallarme as video designer, Dong Calingacion as technical director.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio