Christopher turns producer in Lorenzo

MANILA, Philippines - What do you get when you put together a “fugitive” who became a saint, an OFW facing death row and beautiful rock music? You get Lorenzo the musical.

Lorenzo is about the life and struggles of two Lorenzos: Laurence (played by OJ Mariano), an OFW on death row in an Arab country, and St. Lorenzo Ruiz (played by Lorenz Martinez), the first Filipino canonized as a saint for his martyrdom in Japan. It is through the tale of one Lorenzo that the life of the other Lorenzo is redeemed.

 Hitting the stage in September, Lorenzo is a theatrical production under Christopher de Leon’s new production company, the Green Wings Entertainment Network, Inc. which has the goal of providing opportunities for fresh talents to step into the limelight and for collaborations with the most seasoned in the industry. After devoting decades of his life to acting and the performing arts, the veteran and multi-awarded actor has turned producer for this production, assembling a powerhouse artistic team to carry it out. 

 The musical’s libretto was written by award-winning writers Juan Ekis and Paul Dumol, with the collaboration of Joem Antonio. The musical’s melodies were composed and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab. The internationally-trained Gino Gonzales heads the production design. The play is directed by industry veteran Nonon Padilla.

According to Christopher, “This play is very special because the playwrights have chosen a novel and outside-the-box way to tell the story. It’s a contemporary opera. There will be plenty of surprises.” 

“It’s a story within a story, a musical within a play, told in three acts. This is the story of Lorenzo Ruiz as none of us have ever seen it before. I encourage everyone to go and see it. I’m sure Filipino audiences will enjoy it immensely.”

Lorenzo will be staged at the SDA Theatre, located on the fifth floor of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde on P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila. It will run on Sept. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14 with shows at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. It will be followed by a run in St. Scholastica’s College and a 2014 run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, during which Christopher plans to join the cast. Tickets are available through TicketWorld or the Lorenzo official website www.lorenzorocks.com.