Controversial actor Baron Geisler will take a different spotlight not in front of the camera, but this time when the curtains open and the audience applaud for his first ever performance in a musical play, as Tikbalang in “Aurelio Sedisyoso: A Rock Sarswela”
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, the actor said it was his discoverer who asked him to try acting on stage; he auditioned, and felt grateful to Tanghalang Pilipino for being accepted.
“Noong (During that) time na ‘yon, I was sulking and depressed kasi kamamatay lang ng mommy ko (because my mom just died). So sabi ko (I told myself), it’s time for me to move on or move forward and I said yes,” he told ABS-CBN.
In a press conference in Cultural Center of the Philippine (CCP) though, he confessed that he did not know it was a musical.
For a first-timer, Baron admitted that he is nervous and things were difficult especially that he is not a singer, in the interview with ABS-CBN
“Pero gusto ko lang sabihin na sobrang ang gagaling ng mga kasama ko. They’re really terrific actors. Kasi sa film, pagdating doon napaka-kumportable kasi balwarte ko ‘yon. Dito, kakaibang disiplina ang natutunan ko (Film is like my territory and I am really comfortable there. [With theater,] I learned a different discipline),” he said.
In the press conference, Baron said that this theatrical experience made him more nervous than his fight with Kiko Matos. “At first I was very arrogant and I thought I could do it. But when I worked with all these great and amazing actors, it really humbled me. God put me in my place and said, ‘Baron, you’re not great of an actor after all.’ Na-overwhelm po ako eh (I was overwhelmed),” the actor said.
In a separate interview by the ABS-CBN news, Chris Millado, the director said that accepting Baron came with conditions especially that in spite of his skills as an actor, Baron had a ‘reputation.’
If Baron felt nervous in his debut as a stage actor in a musical, Millado admitted that even he and the cast were nervous to have the said actor as part of their production.
“So inupo namin at pinrangka namin sa disiplina na kailangang daanaan niya sa tanghalan. Sabi namin kaiba ito sa karanasan mo sa showbiz. Sa theater, ‘di lang mababa ang bayad pero malaki ‘yung hinihingi sa iyo na panahon at malaki sa iyo ang hinihinging disiplina. (So we went straight with him telling him that discipline is key to every theater performance and that there is a big difference between theater and his past experience in showbiz. Not only does theater have a smaller pay, but it requires a bigger contribution from you which is time and discipline),” he narrated.
Millado and the cast took Baron’s words and promises of giving his 100% and wish of undergoing that discipline. “So far mukhang sinusunod niya (he is following). So far so good,” he said.
According to Spot, Baron will play as Tikbalang – an allegorical representation of the United States Insular Government in the Philippines.
Aurelio Sedisyoso: A Rock Sarswela is written by Nicanor Tiongson, an original rock sarswela based on the life of Filipino playwright and dramatist, Aurelio Tolentino.
David Ezra will play the lead role as Aurelio Tolentino, Remus Villanueva as Macario Sakay/Andres Bonifacio, and Jonathan Tadioan as Dominado Gomez.
Music and composition is by Joed Balsamo, Choreographer is Denisa Reyes, Set designed by Toym Imao, and Musical arrangement by Radioactive Sago Project.