JUST BEYOND THE STARS
by Josh Ramirez
I first experienced the magic of Peter Pan when I watched the Disney film when I was 4 years old. It was very entertaining and there really was magic there. From then on, I've seen many versions of Peter Pan and even read the original novel when I was in High School, and none of them really put a handprint on my heart the way the Disney film did.
Then came June 2011, while rehearsing for Seussical, I saw posters of a production of Peter Pan that Repertory Philippines was going to stage. I auditioned for it, got called back, but didn't make it. But that didn't hurt me at all,
because I was just excited to see the production.
I was able to see a few days of rehearsals before the cast transferred to the Meralco Theater; and it looked good already.
I especially enjoyed watching the Pirates rehearse along with Captain Hook (who was played so deliciously by Michael
Williams), I had a feeling they were going to be the scene-stealers of the show.
Then, thanks to a good friend of mine, I was able to get complimentary tickets to see the preview performance and I was
so excited, like a little kid going to Disneyland for the first time! As the orchestra began to play the first song, my hair stood
and one by one the company enters with a great song ('Something in the Air Tonight'), which was beautifully and powerfully
sung by the company. Then we enter the Darling family, with Mrs.Darling (played by Pinky Marquez) singing to her children
('Just Beyond the Stars', which for me, is the best song in the whole show). Wendy (played by Tippy Dos Santos and at
some performances Cara Barredo), John (Nacho Tambunting) and Michael (Alessa Zialcita) were played so wonderfully, they
even had the british accent performed correctly. Peter Pan (Sam Concepcion) enters the scene and urges Wendy and her
brothers to go off to Neverland ('Neverland'), of course I expected the famous flying scenes with great anticipation and
when it finally happened, I got goosebumps!
The Lost Boys enter ('The Lost Boys Gang') with cheerful and joyful energy; I really enjoyed watching them (played by
Kevin Concepcion, Jay Pangilinan, Eric Mercado, George Schulze, Justin Valiente, Nelsito Gomez, Bym Buhain and
Hans Gabriel Braga). But once the pirates entered ('Good O'l Captain Hook'), they stole the show! (played by Meynard Penalosa,
Hans Eckstein, James Stacey, Reymund Domingo, Edward Briones, Chino Veguillas and Kuya Manzano - who is such a wacky pirate!),not to mention such an adorable performance by Robbie Zialcita as Smee and of course the great Michael Williams playing
the delicious role of Captain Hook. His performance of Hook reminded me so much of Captain Hook in the Disney film,
which I loved of course, but Michael really played the role so cunning and yet charming in a villain-sort of way.
There were many numbers afterward that really caught my attention and they made me want to buy the soundtrack album
('Build A House', 'The Cleverness of Me', 'When I Kill Peter Pan', 'Look Back on a Rose-Tinted Eye Patch' etc.)
'Just Beyond the Stars reprise' was a favorite of mine, and I was fortunate to also hear Cara Barredo sing the song during
rehearsals. It's such a beautiful song of realization, and honestly speaking, as much as I love Tippy Dos Santos' vocals, Cara
took it to a whole new level with so much passion and heart into the song. 'A Pirate with a Conscience' was a funny little
number which I also enjoyed, not only because of the hilarious Captain Hook and the Pirates.
When the time came for the finale of the show where Old Wendy (played so beautifully by Joy Virata) meets Peter Pan; and Pan
discovering how time has ravaged her with age, it broke my heart to see Peter cry and Wendy being vulnerable because she
had no choice but to grow up. But Wendy would never forget Peter Pan and all the adventures they went on and Peter Pan will
always be there. Which is why the final song is so fitting for the scene ('There's Always Tomorrow'). What I also love about
the finale is the fact that the company was dressed in modern clothing, which means that Peter Pan still inspires and lives in
people's hearts to this very day. That just made me tear up. What a way to end the show.
After the curtain call and cheering on and on for the company, I had to backstage to congratulate everyone! What a night it was!
So basically, what I 've learned from the show is that we may never want to grow up, but unfortunately we have to... but that
doesn't necessarily mean we have to grow up completely. Which is why I tell kids sometimes, and even young people like myself
when they say they dont want to grow up; You will always grow up, but inside you, you don't have to. You can still be a child
at heart. And another thing I learned, is that we must believe in our dreams, because they are important for all of us. For
without dreams, where would we all be today? Thank you Peter Pan for continuing to inspire the world.
Repertory Philippines 2011 prod. at Meralco Theater, Manila, The Philippines.
|
