Lifestyle
Homecoming: “Noli, The Opera” returns to CCP on its 60th anniversary
Noli Me Tangere, The Opera will be back on stage on January 28-29 and February 1-3 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. (Photo: Ticket World)
MANILA, Philippines—Noli Me Tangere, The Opera, based on Jose Rizal’s classic novel of the same title will come back on a six-day performance run for its 60th anniversary. The historical opera will be back on stage on January 28-29 and February 1-3 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.
The play made its debut in Far Eastern University in 1957 and its CCP debut in 1974 and gained recognition overseas.
Producer Loida Lewis saw a version of the opera in Chicago and pitched it to Edwin Josue who was based in New York at the time. Due to its successful run in New York, it was given a run in the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and eventually came home for a brief run at Resorts World Manila in 2014.
Edwin Josue, executive producer of J&S Production Inc. is enthusiastic on the show’s homecoming run as he pointed out his observation regarding the current state of Philippine performing arts.
“Kasi a lot of shows being staged here are very western in ideals and values. Ang sa akin, where are the plays that tackle the aspirations of our country?” Josue was quoted as saying in a Manila Bulletin report.
He also pointed out that their take on Rizal’s timeless classic will be a new source of inspiration for anyone who would come to see it. They want to address the youth most of all, the group whom Rizal had believed in centuries ago as he wrote for freedom and justice for the country that he so loves.
“Through the production, we would like to preserve and institute the legacy of nationalism and patriotism and love of country to our youth because really we should learn to love our country above all,” he in the same report.
Edwin also believes that Rizal’s legacy is something that the country should always look back to even as it ventures into a new age and time.
“Well I think Rizal, like Gandhi did right in trying to gain freedom through peaceful means. I also feel that through ‘Noli’, people will see why Rizal sacrificed his life for the Philippines,” he said.
The production will incorporate changes in cast, set, and costumes as well as new techniques such as digital images for selected scenes and lyrical displays for the music of National Artist Felipe de Leon in order to bring the audience to a whole new level of entertainment and appreciation for the timeless classic.
Tickets are available on ticketworld.com.ph. Students, military, senior citizens, and PWDs are entitled to discounts.
