EJ: A brutally honest review

[Pre-show Irritation: Press Release on EJ never mentioned anything about alternates for the main characters. It only noted that "The Dawn" will be playing in some staging. So we decided to watch the 2nd week Saturday gala as there's higher probability that the band will play. Not to mention I really checked on The Dawn's website for gig schedule. But no, it was the alternate band. Oh well, forgivable. What is not understandable and very disappointing though: There was no Ricky, no Jett either. It could've been quite acceptable if one of the main casts was there. Two alternates for a show? Can someone please let us know what happened?]

"Chopsuey"

That's the most apt description for the stage adaptation of EJ: Ang pinagdaanang Buhay nina Edgar Jopson and Evelio Javier.

The equation: Script (Edgar Jopson + Evelio Javier independent stories) + "The Dawn's" more popular songs = EJ Rock Musical

The thing is, the connection of the independent stories of the 2 EJs was not established. Not to mention, it the flow of the story was confusing (due to manner of narration and presentation of events – a question of chronology and parallelism). While watching the show, you'd probably be asking yourself:

1. So they met in heaven and were sharing their experiences to each other?
   
2. How come they were using the "present tense" for their conversation? As if things didn't happen in the past (and they were actually spirits talking, technically).
   
3. Did they die they at the same time? Of course we know they didn't, from history. But the manner it was presented is simply confusing.
   

It tried hard to be a musical; a rock musical for that matter by using "The Dawn's" more popular songs. Alas, the songs used weren't fit with the context of the conversations and events. Basta masabi lang na pwede. Say for instance, the EJs wives were singing "Salamat" when they were telling stories on how they knew about the death of their husbands. Both wives weren't with their husbands when they died. They were away from their partners for a long time. Then suddenly they were singing, "Salamat, at tayo'y nagkasmang muli." The only time they were reunited with their husbands was during their funeral. So they were thankful of the death of their husbands? Sablay.

The "Chopsuey Approach" made the play appear less-professional. It's comparable to a HS or College (but classroom activity) presentation. Sayang.

Confusing Narration

It started with Nar Cabico telling stories about the Marcos Regime (flashback of what happened). Such will give you an idea that Nar IS the Narrator. It's just weird that his supposed "narrator" role was not really established. Other means of narration were also utilized; which unfortunately were neither established.

1. Main Narrator: If Nar was the main narrator, what was his role? I mean if he was simply a narrator, what's the use of his presence in almost every part of the story simply witnessing the life of the EJs. Yes, at first there were some interventions (him commenting about Marxism/Communism). But during the latter part, he was simply watching what's going on with the lives of the EJs. What makes his role more confusing is that he was doing multiple roles – Marcos, Ver, a wounded supporter, etc. All of which weren't helpful in establishing his role (if that's really his role) of being the narrator.
   

2. Imagined Debate: This was the premise of the play as described in the press release. There were parts of the story were the EJs were sharing their experiences in taking part in changing the state of the nation (revolutionary vs. reformist). This could've been a more promising manner of narrating and at the same time establishing the real debate (the. But unfortunately, "bumibitiw)". Audience would be confused if these EJs were actually talking about things of the present or they were recalling things that happened to them.
   

3. Documentary Type: And there was another mode of narration. The wives (oh, even the children of 2 EJs) were narrating the stories of their husbands (as if being interviewed). So ayun lalong gumulo.
   

Inconsistency of approach led to confusion.

Bad Ending

It's simply anti-climatic. You might just want to find out…

Really Bad

What makes it bad is the feeling that during the break, you're tempted to leave the theater (Of course, I didn't leave. There's still a part of me hoping to see something better at the latter part of the show). And it's really bad because I couldn't count the number of times that my friend threw out mean comments (out of irritation & disappointment) during the show (This may be a brutally honest review, but missingpoint's post is even more honest (and brutal) and expressed better.

I still have a lot of things in mind but maybe this already sums up the bad things about the musical (I'm now sleepy. I just had to release the disappointment). It's just sad that the talents weren't utilized much. But let me just say that the the lead female characters were great (brilliant voices).

*******

Theater-going is about taking risk. You're risking your time and money. For someone who's passionate about arts, such risk is something I'm almost always willing to take. Well, simply because I'm already somehow exposed and I'm aware that I wouldn't get something that is too bad (not worth the time and money). There may be some shows that weren't as good as expected but they weren't that bad to be somehow regretful. But for this one, it's really different.

I only missed one show ("Kudeta") for the 21st Theater Season of TP. Ah, and I must say: It's a bad show to conclude the season. BTW, whatever happened to the plans of staging Oro Plata Mata?

Oh but of course, this is just part of theater-going experience. The appetite for theater is always there. Next in Line: Orosman at Zafira and Skin Deep.