Cebu theater gets shot in the arm with Les Mesirables

CEBU, Philippines - A theater club in Cebu, in its own little way, is hoping to create a new generation of theater artists and audience by staging theatrical productions that’s worth our while.

Recently, the Cre8tive Thespians Club (CTC), Inc., together with the province of Cebu, presented Les Miserables at the UP Cultural Center within the UP Cebu College Campus in Lahug.

Prior to the three-day play date last March 16-18, CTC held two other performances on separate occasions to favorable feedback. The first time was last September at the University of San Carlos Cultural Center, and the second was last January at the Marcelo Fernan Press Center auditorium, where The FREEMAN was there to witness their gala show. French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota attended the opening night, while Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia graced the Sunday matinee.

Les Miserables is an all-singing musical production by Alan Bloubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, based on the Victor Hugo novel of the same title, written more than 150 years ago. The author was inspired to write the novel after witnessing a street scene in Paris.

A man was arrested for stealing a loaf of bread, because he was hungry and had to feed his family. For this seemingly petty crime, he was meted harsh punishment. How it can affect a man’s life as well as that of those around him is what the story of Les Miserables is all about.

Directed by Rene “Sonny” Alquizola II, he also essayed the lead role of Jean Valjean, alternately with Allan Inoc.

Les Miserables has been translated into 21 different languages and productions have played in 41 countries and 291 cities. The first time the musical was staged in Cebu was an excerpt in a mall. The first full musical in Cebu was on March 9, 1996 under the direction of Daisy Ba-ad. Only one member of the original Cebu cast is still active in Les Mis until now, and was a part of this 2012 production.

CTC has been encouraged all these years to continue producing plays so that they may help promote Filipino, particularly Cebuano culture, provide an avenue for individuals to share themselves and to steer them away from bad influences, provide an environment in which imagination can flourish and contribute to the advancement of Philippine theater.