Cebu staging “Song Of Bernadette”

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (ASOLL) celebrates the 150th  Anniversary since the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes to St. Bernadette Soubirous via the musical, Song of Bernadette, to be staged at SM City Cebu Cinema 1 on June 28-29 and July 5-6 with matinee (10AM and 3PM) and gala shows (7PM).

The three-act musical, adapted from the 1942 novel of Franz Werfel and the 1943 Academy award-winning movie of the same title, is a riveting account of the life, visions, sufferings of St. Bernadette through the language of music, dance and acting. Set at a time when people’s hopelessness made them blind towards miracles and their faith feeble, the musical reveals that in a startling simplicity and ordinariness of everyday life, sainthood is not privilege but a choice, a calling whose answer is life’s only purpose.

People behind the play

Song of Bernadette is collaboration among Cebu’s pride in theater directorship, music and songwriting. Acclaimed master of theatrical plays, Delia Aliño-Villacastin, lends her craftsmanship as artistic director, together with daughter Maryrose Villacastin-Maghuyop as choreographer, and university colleague Telly Ampatin as stage director. Cebu Pop Music Festival 2008 grand champion lyricist-songwriter Jude Gitamondoc composed all the songs, while the interpreter of his winning entry in the competition, Elvis C. Somosot, is musical arranger. Former chairman of the ASOLL’S Music Ministry Niño James Bañares does the script and is at the same time musical director.

Executive Director Fr. Joriz Calsa, SDB, said that everything has fallen into place, adding that at the start of the production, he was really thinking of using “raw talents.”

The Parish Pastoral Council, in coordination with the Salesians of Don Bosco, has streamlined the objectives of the production: Song of Bernadette shall be shown to as many audiences in Cebu as a response to Cardinal Vidal’s challenge to make a localized celebration of apparitions at Lourdes’; it shall be an endeavor of charity since proceeds of the play will go to the feeding program of the Shrine for malnourished children; it shall be a means of evangelization; and shall be an attractive medium to invite the youth to morality, values, and faith as lived by St. Bernadette.

While the production team is led by veteran directors and known artists in local music industry, the actors are young people and parishioners whose experience is either in small productions, scarce or none at all.

Nevertheless, the gathering of young people and their involvement mark this project’s Salesianity. “Aside from exposing them to theater, they are being taught well – so it’s educational,” Fr. Joriz said. “With the presence of Salesians, they are being evangelized towards the real meaning and message of Lourdes.”

Synopsis

Song of Bernadette harks us back to Lourdes, France during the year of the apparition, 1858, through the eyes of its local priest Fr. Marie Dominique Peyramale. Francois and Louise Soubirous find it difficult to make ends meet, as the family falls to the worst of times. Bernadette, now 14, is on her way to gather twigs and sticks when she sees the Lady for the first time. The word spreads and Bernadette is caught in conflict with political and religious authorities, pressed to reveal the identity of the Lady before she be branded a hoax.

The play is a full-length drama that draws on historical facts especially those that surround the apparitions, and the life of St. Bernadette after the events. The play achieves more than detailing history, it shows how man’s skepticism increases when confronted with the strange. Fr. Peyramale’s doubt on Bernadette’s revelations tells us how he wants to protect the town from intrigue. Francois and Louise’s shielding of Bernadette while maintaining their disbelief bares their contradicting parental and religious responsibilities. How will doubt be overcome, and how can Bernadette stand up against odds and assert the Lady was real?

The musical portrays how any pursuit of holiness is full of danger, as Bernadette chooses obscurity in the nunnery and meets Sister Marie Therese. Will she win normalcy back to her life after the apparitions and how will she understand and accept her dispensability?  Will her faith waver or will she even be stronger to believe in God?

Tickets are sold at P75, P200 and P500. For more queries, please call at 261 6935 and look for Glenda or Laila.