Magsimula Ka final cast line-up

MANILA, Philippines - Spotlight Artists Centre, the performing arts school, announces its final cast lineup for Magsimula Ka, its first musical to be staged at the Music Museum on Nov. 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 and Dec. 2, 3 and 4, 8 p.m., with matinees on Nov. 20, 27 and Dec. 4.

Auditions, which started last February, yielded a fresh bumper crop of “triple threat” artists (budding theater performers with exceptional singing, acting and dancing skills) eager to relive the glory and nostalgia of the memorable ‘80s musical.

The cast includes Ciara Sotto, Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, Fred Lo and Kyla Rivera, supported by theater luminaries Ana Feleo, Tricia Amper-Jimenez, Sherwin Sozon, Sheng Belmonte, Gerald Napoles, Sophiea Reyes, Cheeno Macaraig, Rafael Sudayan, Ava

Santos, Kakki Teodoro, Heidi Arima, Carlos Canlas, Pamela Imperial and Migs Ramirez.

Written by Nestor Torre and Gines Tan, Magsimula Ka premiered at CCP Little Theater in the early ‘80s. These were the golden years of OPM, when songwriting contests like the Metropop churned out an equally impressive roster of winning songs and songwriters such as Ryan Cayabyab, Gary Granada, Nonong Pedero and many more.

The musical was also the launching pad for the theater careers of then-budding actors Robert Seña, Isay Alvarez, Tricia Amper and many others, before earning global acclaim when they joined the original Asian cast of Miss Saigon in September 1989.

Interestingly, the much-awaited reprise of Magsimula Ka could very well be considered a “passing of the torch” as Isay, Robert and their cohorts eagerly await the grand moment when the new set of young upstarts get their turn to take the spotlight — a rite of passage that could serve as their ticket to stardom and enduring showbiz careers.

“Robert and I owe our careers to Magsimula Ka, and this is our way of paying tribute to Nestor, Gines and all the great musical talents who inspire us back then,” Isay shares. “With the same fervor, we hope to instill the same inspiration among the younger generations.”

As it embarks on the production of its first musical, the Spotlight family is working double time to ensure its success. Magsimula Ka is directed by Robert Seña and produced by Isay Alvarez-Seña, Tricia Amper-Jimenez and Carl Balita, with Boni Juan, set designer; Georcelle Dapat, choreographer; JonJon Villareal, lighting design; and Krina Cayabyab, vocal coach.

With its inspiring music and timely, socially-relevant commentary on Pinoy pop culture, Magsimula Ka promises to be a fun and wholesome entertainment treat for the family.

“It bridges the gap between two different generations,” Isay shares, “And it’s an eye-opener for today’s kids who don’t have any idea what growing up was like before cellphones, YouTube, iPods and all of today’s high-tech toys.”

And because of its strong appeal to its wide, inter-generational market, the show is a lucrative venture for producers and block/show buyers as fund-raising initiative for their target beneficiaries. 

For details, call 899-8089 or log on to www.spotlightartistscentre.com.