After the success the 2003 production of Himala The Musical at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 2003, Isay Alvarez, May Bayot, and Cynthia Culig-Guico returns to the center stage as Nimia, Elsa and Chayong in the restaging of the musical based from the award-winning film of Nora Aunor, Director Ishmael Bernal and writer Ricky Lee in 1982 with the same title. Himala The Musical is the 10th anniversary presentation of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) that will run on March 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. The musical was a collaboration of Lee who wrote the story and Vincent De Jesus who co-wrote the music.
There were several changes in the musical but still it still brings Elsa as the miracle giver of Cupang that attracts people will ailment to their barrio hoping for cure. Together with theater actors and well known singers like Dulce, OJ Mariano, Kalila Aguilos, Jon Joven, Mia Bolaños, Myke Salomon, Lionel Guico, Melvin Lee, Angeli Bayani, Bong Cabrera, Joann Co, Mayen Estañero, Neomi Gonzales, and Carlon Matobato, Red Nuestro, and Onyl Torres together with the Viva Voce, UST Singers Alumni and Jed in the live piano they recreate the chaos, hope and faith of everyone in Cupang to the person whom they believed saw the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and can take away the curse that they are enduring.
Directed by Soxie Topacio who also did the theater adaptation of Bona that was played by Eugene Domingo and Edgar Allan de Guzman last year that is also a smashing success for PETA, bringing Himala in the center stage gives every theater goers to the chance to appreciate the golden years of Philippine cinema now in live performance. Tickets for the limited presentation of Himala The Musical is available at the PETA website www.petatheater.com and through TicketWorld at www.ticketworld.com.ph.
Himala (film) is currently celebrating its 30 years and up to date it was restored by ABS-CBN and Central Digital Lab and presented in 69th Venice Film Festival and selected cinemas in the country.
