SHOWBIZ BEAT MEDIA

Lauren Dyogi, ABSCBN’s bigwig who wears many hats, has been heading ABSCBN’s main talent agency, Star Magic, since 2021. Therefore, his presence at the star-studded full preview of PETA’s newest musical ‘Walang Aray’ starring KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad — popularly known as KDLex — is no surprise at all. 

After the show which was divided into two acts, Dyogi gushed about how proud he was of the two’s performance. “Masama pa ang pakiramdam ni Alexa niyan,” he admitted. 

Apparently, Ilacad got sick two days prior, which were supposed to be the scheduled dates for the technical dress rehearsals prior to the actual preview show with her and Estrada. With her wit, vibrance, and powerful singing voice during the preview, no one would have thought that the 22-year-old actress-singer just rehearsed for a few hours prior to the actual show.

‘Walang Aray’ is the musical theater adaptation by the prolific Rody Vera of ‘Walang Sugat’, written in 1902 by the “Father of Tagalog Zarzuelas” Severino Reyes. The story is set during the 1890’s, but the treatment isn’t, with the lead character, stage actress Julia (Alexa Ilacad), spouting “conyo Gen Z speak” such as these lines when she’s worried about her commoner lover, Temyong’s (KD Estrada) fate: “Temyong, nasaan ka na ba? Hindi ko na ito keri. Umuwi ka na, baby.”

Witty, funny, and very much modern, this show brings Reyes’ musical closer to the younger generation, and will really make one realize that love fuels rebellion and rebellion will actually make you appreciate love more. The three numbers that stood out are: Julia’s “Wag Mo Akong Saktan” solo; Miguel’s “Borta”; and Julia’s solo which ends with the lyrics, “Nasaan ka na aking mahal? Kay ginaw-ginaw”.

The musical has the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ element of “star-crossed lovers”, with Julia’s mother wanting to marry her off to a rich nobleman’s son, Miguel (Jarred Jaicten), and Temyong joining the rebels after tragedy befalls his family. Will the two end up together despite the odds? That is the main question the musical wants us to ponder on.

KDLex will be performing for the 8pm shows of Feb.17-18; 24-25; Mar. 4; April 14-16; 21-23 & April 28. ‘Walang Aray’ is directed by Ian Segarra, with music by Vince Lim, and choreography by Gio Gahol. Regular run will be from February 17 to May 14 at the PETA Theater Center. Tickets may be purchased via www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information, you may visit www.petatheater.com/walangaray.

Most of the other shows will have the main pair of Marynor Madamesila (Julia) and Gio Gahol (Temyong) performing.

When the show was over, Dyogi was spotted smiling from ear to ear as cheers erupted from the crowd during the curtain call and final bow of KDLex, and was seen exchanging whispers with Melvin Lee, PETA’s Chief Operations Officer.

This means there is a good chance Star Magic and PETA’s collaboration featuring KD and Alexa will not be their last.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Showbiz Beat Media