Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical

 

4th Wall Theater Company brings back the creative talents, well-loved musical that’s  proudly Philippine-made starting January 25, 2013 at the Meralco Theater. 

I missed the production last year. Fortunately, I got an invitation for an exclusive sneak preview of the much anticipated "Rivalry" which will start playing  few weeks from now. 

Ateneans and La Sallites clash onstage and engage in an intense battle replete with rousing musical numbers, impressive choreography and exchanges of wit and humor. The competition between the two schools is so engaging that even those who are neither from Ateneo nor from La Salle enjoyed the show.

 

“Based on a backyard study we did, 45% of those who watched
the first staging are neither from Ateneo nor from La Salle. More importantly, the audience of theater in the Philippines is not expanding the way it should be. The reason why we have to do this again is we know we have a market to tap. I would like for us to leave a legacy of really expanding the theater industry,” Ed Gatchalian, executive producer and musical director of Rivalry, explained.

We were serenade with numbers from the musical like “Boy from La Salle” and “What If"  and led theater actors Jeremy Aguado, Nel Gomez and Cara Barredo. The brilliant team composed of Gatchalian, director Jaime Del Mundo and lyricist Joel Trinidad gladly shared their thoughts and experience about their work.

The spirit, the passion was felt even if it’s just a rehearsal. The acting was so intense that I was already imagining they are on stage. This first quarter of the year, I could say it’s one of the most anticipated event not only for the schools, La Salle and Ateneo perhaps from other universities and institutions, for those who love theater and arts.

“We don’t want the public to think this is just about Ateneo and La Salle. The lyrics encapsulated the whole conflict between the two schools but we made sure the execution will be acceptable to all,” Trinidad explained.

“We had to find a story that touches us universally. Although on the surface, it’s about Ateneo and La Salle, it’s more about the relationships that we have with friends, girlfriend or boyfriend and family. It’s a story that will touch everyone,” Del Mundo added.

About Rivalry:

Rivalry is set in 1968 when Ateneo and La Salle were still part of the NCAA with other schools such as Letran, San Beda, Mapua and Jose Rizal. The story revolves around two families headed by fathers belonging to opposing schools. Their sons not only deal with school and basketball rivalry but also vie for the love of one girl. The exciting events unfold in a series of creatively choreographed scenes coupled with rousing, originally-crafted musical numbers with inspiring performances from a cast of talented performers.

“I say this not out of boasting but only out of the pride in my heart that we have something to really show the world. This is the thrust of 4th Wall and Rivalry is the first step,” Gatchalian promised.

Tickets to “Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical” are available at Ticketworld outlets. Visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or call (02) 891-9999.