Directed by Junrey Alayacyac with music and lyrics by Jude Gitamondoc, “Siddhartha” is based on Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s book “The Biography of the Sakyamuni Buddha.” It is the story of Indian Prince Siddhartha who was prophesied and raised to be the heir to his father’s throne but renounced this royalty in pursuit of enlightenment.
The homecoming delivered on all fronts. Every choice led to an immersive experience, from the vibrant set design, the jangling wardrobe, and the laser-precise hair and makeup. Even in the more interactive moments that should have broken the immersion (you’ll never guess how Bini made their way into the dialogue), the show remained spellbinding, intimate, and highly charming.
Alayacyac preluded the production by asking the audience to go back to their high school selves. “Allow yourself to experience the musical in your innocence,” he says.
Innocence indeed is what bursts out in this play, but it is not at all naive. It is nuanced in its portrayal of the becoming of the Buddha, played with love and care by Benjie Layos who has carried the role since the musical’s debut in 2007.
Relentless despite more than 180 successful shows, earlier in May this year the “Siddhartha” cast capped a series of performances in South Africa and Taiwan, becoming the 12th and 13th countries in its ongoing list of international performances. South Korea was just announced to be the 14th come next year.
Still, its contribution to the 1st Cebu International Theatre Festival is a monumental feat—reminding its core audience that, in a land filled with suffering and despair, all hope is not lost. There is always something that we can do.
“Siddhartha” is the fifth out of the nine productions in the 1st Cebu International Theatre Festival. In the coming days, a slate of productions from Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines will be staged across Cebu.
The schedule and more details are available on the official Cebu International Theatre Festival Facebook page.
