Rant and Rave: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical

Everyone knows about the rivalry between Ateneo De Manila University and De La Salle University.  Both universities have and still have duels on multiple stages. During the UAAP season for example, die-hard fans flock to the Araneta Coliseum and take sides rooting for their school of choice—which includes a slight bashing on the other team.

Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical, is a story that captures decades of competition. The musical, however, is not all about oil and water. Set in 1968, the story tells of two families, the Valencias and the Basilios. Tommy Basilio is the star of the La Salle basketball team, while his cousin Paco Valencia is the star of the Ateneo basketball team. From the start, it is apparent that Tommy and Paco are not in the best of terms because of their schools’ rivalry. The story has its own twists and turns in the personality of Quito Valencia, Paco’s younger brother and an Atenean, who remains close to Tommy.

Eventually, a love triangle starts between Tommy, Quito, and Rina; a beautiful girl from Maryknoll. Throughout the play, the audience is kept guessing as to Rina’s choice.

The musical’s original sounds make it such a lovely play to listen to. The costumes are impressive, and despite the playful heckling and banters present in the musical, the play remains light. Both schools are presented with fair stereotypes—funny, but not insulting at the same time.  The play also had witty lines and a few surprises.

Initially, many were concerned about the thought of making a play about the rivalry between DLSU and ADMU, which could lead to a bloody after party, but the play may just have brought the two schools together.

Here’s a synopsis of the play:

The setting is 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.

The Basilio family is headed by Green-blooded Demetrio and his wife, Dolores. They have a son, Tommy, who is the star basketball player of the La Salle Senior Basketball Team.

The other family is the Valencia family, led by Blue-blooded Papa Anton and his wife Andrea. By the way, Andrea and Dolores are sisters. There are two children in the Valencia family; Paco, who is the star player of the Ateneo Senior Basketball Team and Quito, a very passionate and active member of the Social Order Club, consistent Honor Student, Class President.

Despite belonging to opposing schools, Tommy Basilio and his cousin, Quito Valencia are the best of friends. Paco, however, despite being Tommy’s first cousin is not as friendly because they have been playing against each other in the NCAA for 3 years now. And in 1968, faced with the possibility of playing against each other for the NCAA Basketball Championship, the tension in the relationship of Tommy and Paco reaches an all-time high.

Quito has a silent love for a Maryknoller, Reena San Jose. This very natural emotion attracts a very complicated situation, which we would like you to know when you come and watch the musical when it formally opens.

The closeness of the cousins is not shared by their fathers. It seems on the surface that their long-standing personal feud is on account of their respective school loyalties. But towards the latter part of Act Two, the real issue was on account of how they dealt with a serious conflict in their professional careers. Realizing the futility of prolonging the feud, they decide to bury their hatchets.

In Act Two, academics continue to seem to be a rivalry issue. Social issues also awaken the sensitivities of both the Atenean and the La Sallite.

At the end, the reason for the rivalry becomes clear……..What is it? Who wins the girl? Who wins the Championship. These are questions that can only be answered when you come and watch this very interesting musical.

Performing in this musical are seasoned stage actors and actresses, led by Felix Rivera, Red Concepcion, Jeremy Aguado, Mako Alonzo, Raymund Concepcion, Juliene Mendoza, OJ Mariano, Sheila Francisco, Jenny Nuida-Tatlonghari, Raul Montesa, Chino Veguillas, Meynard Penalosa, Athena Tibi, Ashley Immler, and a special appearance of veteran Noel Trinidad, in the role od Eliseo Genaro.

Jaime del Mundo wrote the book and is Overall-Artistic Director. Ed Gatchalian, who is the Executive Producer, is also the Composer/Arranger/Orchestrator of his original music. Lyrics were written by Joel Trinidad, while Nancy Crowe choreographs.

Opening night is on January 27, 2012 at the Meralco Theatre and will run through March 11, 2012, with 8:00 pm shows every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and 3:00 pm shows on Saturdays and Sundays.

More photos at :http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150526638749760.387148.149678604759&type=3

Ticket prices and show dates can be found at ticketworld.com.ph: https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=932108FF-9297-4E56-B7F7-22849473736D&sessionlanguage=