What price are you willing to pay to chase your dreams? In this latest hybrid jukebox musical directed by Dexter Santos, watch — and hear — a dreamer’s tale unfold through the compositions of Jonathan Manalo as sung by some of Philippine theater’s most powerful belters.
By ANNE STEPHANIE NILO
It is a Filipino retelling of the story of Icarus who flew too close to the sun and met his demise. But while musical Delia D. carries the flamboyant elements of drag, and ends on a brighter note without the darkness of Greek tragedy, it nevertheless echoes a universal lesson on human nature and hubris: pride can take you to the peak, or, with just one misstep, push you to a dizzying plunge to the bottom.
Guided by the powerhouse tandem of Michael Stuart Williams and the first lady of Philippine musical theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo — both artistic directors of Newport World Resorts’ theatrical arm Full House Theater Company — Delia D. is the story of a drag performer who dreams of conquering the universe with her voice.
And her adventures begin at the Drag & Tell Bar where, despite having a supportive crew of friends and family, and the tough love of bar owner Mama Eme played by John “Sweet” Lapus — whose performance marks his return to theater after 15 years — her lip-synching and impersonations, while full of laughs, lacked passion and purpose.
Driven by discontentment and ambition, Delia joins the Idols of the Galaxy, a cutthroat singing contest where a winner emerges only after friendships are broken and enemies are made. And this is where the genius of the set design lies: it transports the audience from theater to primetime TV, with the stage bordered by giant LCD displays that show the toxic noise on social media and the Spotify rankings of competing contestants Delia and Kiki.
The audience can see each contestant earning likes, heart or angry reactions, the vitriol and the violence of social media, and the similarity to real life becomes uncanny.
Beyond this special effect, Delia D. is not your typical jukebox musical as it features six new songs of Manalo alongside his iconic hits. And for every scene is a Manalo song that conveys to the audience what mere words cannot. Such is the power of this musical’s soundtrack that enriches an entire plot from start to finish, and tells a timeless tale of dreams and dreamers in several modern OPM (original Pilipino music) hits.
From Delia’s desperation in Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw, to her determination to succeed in Sisikat Din Ako, to the upbeat group chorus in Tara Tena, the stories and emotions in these Filipino contemporary hits will resonate with both theater aficionados and avid listeners of OPM.
For karaoke-crazy Pinoys, this, perhaps, is the musical’s element that has the strongest pull.
Notable are the performances of theater veteran and Teatro Tomasino alumnus Lapus who plays the stereotypical “mother” in gay and drag circles, and young crooner Omar Uddin whose smooth legato in his romantic duet with Delia in Puwede Ba? makes him a promising talent in musical theater to watch out for.
Floyd Tena’s wide vocal range in his role as Sir T will leave the audience impressed as he reaches from bass to tenor pitch in What U Want. Soprano Shaira Opsimar’s performance as Kiki proved a worthy rival that matches the energy and vocals of Phi Palmos.
And how can the audience miss Palmos, the star of the show? His portrayal of Delia honed by his previous performances in Rak of Aegis, Ang Huling El Bimbo and Zsazsa Zaturnnah the Musical illuminated the stage, bringing not just the main character to life, but also the triumphs and travails of the LGBTQ community.
Complementing the explosion of bright hues in wigs and costumes — or the dominant use of neon pink — is the live music by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra that gives Manalo’s songs the dynamism and grandeur befitting a major theater production. His compositions that breathe life to Delia’s story will lure even the most lukewarm and unenthusiastic listener to Filipino songs, and train the much deserved spotlight on modern OPM.
From rich musical scoring to the stage design that overflows with visual elements, Delia D. is a sensory feast that will leave you feeling full, a celebration of Filipino pop music, and a close look into drag queens and the drama of their lives.
Or, if you read about the story of how Palmos left a stable BPO job to be a theater actor before he turned 40 — an ode to the dreams we abandon, or dare to pursue.
Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo runs until June 8 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are now available at TicketWorld, HelixPay and Newport World Resorts Box Office. For inquiries, contact Customer Care at 7908-8888 or 0917-872-8237 or email info@fhtcentertainment.com. For more information on ‘Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo’, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts and @nwr.musicals on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
