“Siddhartha the Musical” marks another chapter in its more-than-a-decade run with a new generation of actors via a send-off performance in Cebu City before the production leaves for Taiwan.
Thirty actors, 17 of whom are new additions, underwent a six-month foundational training that began October of last year. A two and a half month-long rehearsal for “Siddhartha the Musical” immediately followed the training.
Cast member-turned-director Junrey Alayacyac introduced a more child-friendly and condensed version. First performed in 2017, his take will be seen on stage anew this July 8-9, 7 pm, at the Siddhartha Theater of Guang Ming College-Cebu at the Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple, Cebu City
“I personally believe that performance art is not only for entertainment. It has its other purposes, which are education, engagement, and expression,” Alayacyac told The FREEMAN.
Based on the book “The Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha”, the Cebu musical was brought to life when Jude Gitamondoc’s compositions caught the late Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s attention in the competition “Sounds of the Human World.”
Before Guang Ming College was established, “Siddhartha” was first staged in 2007 at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel & Casino, later expanding to Manila and Aklan before hitting the international road.
Originally, “Siddhartha” ran for one hour and 45 minutes before being shortened to an hour. It follows the journey of the purpose-seeking Prince Siddhartha after being completely sheltered from life’s realities by his father.
“It involves a multi-sensory experience. When you’re in the theater, you’re triggered visually, your auditory senses are heightened. Most especially, you can feel that you are involved in the realm. I think that is enough reason for children, and other audiences, to come,” said Alayacyac, who emphasized the importance of getting the youth interested in the performing arts.
A way of life
“Siddhartha” encourages anyone, regardless of religious beliefs, to learn about the teachings of humanistic Buddhism.
“It is not hurting my personal perspective about life, even my belief in Jesus Christ. Perhaps, it’s even helping me to become better,” Alayacyac pointed out. “For example, I am Catholic, I served the church for seven years. When I learned about the musical and they get so involved with the community – that’s among the similarities between Buddhism and my religion.”
Aside from their performances, the “Siddhartha” family also take interest in community welfare. They held a tree-planting activity after a performance in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and have provided performing arts trainings to the youth of Badian and Camotes.
“You don’t have to say the word ‘Buddhism.’ You just have to follow the virtues without actually converting,” he added. “You can either take it as a religion, but it can also be a way of life, a philosophy.”
Calm discipline
In 2018, “Siddhartha the Musical” became the second Filipino-produced theatrical play to perform off-Broadway, following the Imelda Marcos-centered “Here Lies Love.” It has had runs in the United States, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
“We still need to be humble and assume that there are still a lot of things that need to be polished, just to attain our version of perfection,” said Alayacyac.
New faces to expect this Saturday and Sunday are Van Duke Gacayan, Meljan Gaga, Preciosa Bacalso, Pia Christine Rafols, Iris Inoc, James Tolop, Josh Patindol, Nino Fritz Sianson, Brittany Banzon, Karisma Cuizon, Joana Modesto, Rita Pepito, Neil Andrei Jabido, Mia Mikko Ricardo, Richard Aliganga, Elizabeth Caculba, and Klarylle Dumancas.
Performers were not only trained for their roles, they were also molded to become better versions of themselves spiritually with the help of humanistic Buddhism’s calm, disciplined approach in preparing for shows.
“As a team, we have to stay healthy. Most of us followed the vegetarian diet. When we are at the temple, we don’t eat meat. We do yoga, core workout and we have to maintain peace of mind all the time in order to focus in our runs,” shared Bacalso.
“We meditate once in a while especially when our plates are full outside rehearsals. Most of us are young adults and we have respective jobs. When we are at rehearsals, we leave our jobs to the side and are always present with what needs to be done.”
The actors were likewise assigned production tasks such as costume design and advertising, as they are urged to pitch ideas to help Siddhartha’s legacy evolve.
“The actors are not puppets. They have to be contributors,” said Alayacyac. “By that, they are trained to become thinking actors, not only actors who follow directions.”
Tickets can be reserved through a Google form found on the “Siddhartha The Musical” Facebook page. Price categories are Kapilavastu (?300), Lumbini (?500), and Bodhi (?700). Proceeds will be used for the college’s funding program, supplies, and scholars. — Lady Lara ClavanoCNU Journalism Intern (FREEMAN)