How does one become “real?” This is the central question that the musical “Manikang Kuneho” explores.
Adapted from Margery Williams’s timeless classic, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” Manikang Kuneho is the first offering of performance company Ikarus Theater Collaborative for 2019.
The company’s Artistic Director, award-winning playwright and director Jay Crisostomo 4th, translated and wrote the songs. Crisostomo is also directing the musical.
In Manikang Kuneho, a stuffed rabbit finds a new home in a young boy. She longs to be “real,” although she does not fully understand what that means. She only knows that, to be real, she has to be loved fully, loved until she is worn-down and until only one person can ever find her lovable.
The company had been discussing staging the play for three years now, but adapting the children’s story for stage production proved to be challenging.
“The book is wonderful, it’s very accessible to both children and adults. The problem is it’s very thin, so we needed to add something to it, to make it more lively, more whole,” shared Crisostomo.
“What I tried to do was, of course, respect Margery Williams’s work, stretch her themes and her thesis: how is it to be real?” he added.
And while adults will no doubt feel a familiar twinge in their hearts once they see the popular story from their childhood brought to life on the stage, children will definitely benefit more from the musical, not only because of its entertainment value, but also because of the lessons it imparts along the way.
home in a young boy (CJ Maramara, above photo). She longs to be real, although
she does not fully understand what that means.
“For children, well, it’s colorful, it’s vibrant, it will remind children to love their toys, to take care of precious things. To be in the moment,” Crisostomo explained.
Ultimately, children will be invited to take their time growing up and enjoy the little moments when fantasy can still take root in their souls.
The musical also features a variety of songs, ranging from the soulful (“Baul,” “Nang Mahalin ng Isang Bata”), upbeat (“Totoo,” “Sagana”) and head-boppingly catchy (“Ambot”). Singer and educator Abi Casauay composed and served as the musical director of the play.
“What you can expect from the play is, first, you’re going to have fun. When you are here in the theater, feel free to bounce along, clap along, and bounce along,” said Casauay in her message to kids who may watch the play.
“To adults, mararamdaman nyo ang buhay na buhay na OPM — ‘90s, balik sa ‘80s and ‘70s, ramdam natin ito,” she added, addressing the adult audience.
Meanwhile, since the play is about love, Ikarus Theater Collaborative has taken several steps to extend that love to other kids.
One initiative of the company is the Toy Drive, where cast members will be accepting toy donations during the show dates.
Moreover, proceeds from the February 2 show will go towards supporting kids from Destiny’s Promise Home for Children Foundation, a charity organization helping children at risk.
Finally, the company has also partnered with Concepcion Integrated School in Marikina through the Buy One-Give One show where, for every ticket bought for the 4pm show on February 16, a ticket will be given to a grade school student so that they can watch the play as well.
Manikang Kuneho stars Mary Joyce Miranda, CJ Maramara, James Vic Allen Pangan, Angelique Frades, and Earl John Diaz.
Show dates are January 25 and 26, February 1, 2, 8 and 15, at 7 p.m.; and February 16 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The musical will be staged at DITO: Bahay ng Sining, J. Molina St, Concepcion Uno, Marikina. For inquiries and reservations, contact +63917.863.2364 or send an email to ikarustheater@gmail.com.
The post Classic children tale comes alive on stage appeared first on The Manila Times Online.