Ryan Cayabyab’s “Noli Me Tangere” Musical Comes to Hawaii

The cast of the Noli Me Tangere – The New Musical Concert is headlined by Broadway performers Kristian Lei (fifth from left) and Evan D’ Angeles (fourth from right) as Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra, respectively, and Hawaii-based Filipino artists. (Mark Salondaka photo)

HONOLULU 12 July 2018 – The New Musical Concert, a musical adaptation of the novel of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, was staged at the New Life Theater in Honolulu, Hawaii on 14 to 16 June 2018.

Written by Filipino composer and arranger Ryan Cayabyab, with the libretto or opera’s text provided by Philippine National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, the musical tells the story of lovers Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara who lived during the Spanish colonial era, and how the ills of society—corruption, injustice and abuses by the Catholic Church—threatened their relationship. The show was sung in Filipino, but included English narration and subtitles.

The musical was headlined by Broadway performers Kristian Lei and Evan D’ Angeles as Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra, respectively, and several Hawaii-based Filipino artists.

The musical was one of the activities organized by the Filipino Community in Hawaii to mark Philippine Independence Month as well as Rizal’s birth anniversary. It was produced by the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Asian Artists (MAFFAA), in collaboration with Tanghalang Pilipino and Kristian Lei Enterprises.

MAFFAA, which has also produced the Noli Me Tangere in major United States cities such as Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C. and Boston, is a non-profit organization committed and dedicated to bring Philippine musical production to the U.S. and other parts of the world, through its collaboration with the Tanghalang Pilipino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Popular Music Foundation.

The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu was represented by its officers and staff, led by Consul Joyleen E. Santos, at the opening reception and show on 14 June 2018. END

Anna Davide (center), who plays Sisa, joins the personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu and some members of the Filipino Community during the opening reception on 14 June 2018. (Mark Salondaka photo)

For more information, visit www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippineshonolulu.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinHonolulu/.