Cover Kim Molina as Zsazsa Zaturnnah in the 2023 production by Ateneo Blue Repertory
Kim Molina as Zsazsa Zaturnnah in the 2023 production by Ateneo Blue Repertory
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The cult classic comedy based on Carlo Vergara's award-winning graphic novel gets a timely revival with Kim Molina on the titular role
Filipino society may have come so far in accepting the LGBTQ+ community since Zsazsa Zaturnnah first took the country's art and culture scene by storm. In recent years, Pride marches and pocket gatherings have been mounted in many areas of the Philippines. The visibility of people in the gender spectrum has also increased not just in the fashion scene anymore but also in the entertainment, philanthropy, and business sectors. More importantly, queer literature and art have grown so much that today's generation earned the title of being "woke" for addressing LGBTQ+ issues more aggressively than its predecessors. But Zsazsa Zaturnnah's mission remains unfinished, for there is still so much to do for the LGBTQ+ community completely free itself from the shackles of bigotry, prejudice, and injustice. For one, the fate of the SOGIE Bill remains hanging.
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But despite the uncertainty of the times, there are still many things to look back and celebrate. "Today's generation must also see the period when being LGBTQ+ was taboo. For them to appreciate the growing acceptance they are receiving now, they must also see the time when it was difficult to be of different sexuality and gender identity," says Missy Maramara, director of Ateneo Blue Repertory's latest production.
Presented by Rizal Library and co-presented by Areté, Zsazsa Zaturnnah the Musical... 'Yun Lang! is the latest adaptation of the graphic novel by Carlo Vergara, featuring the music and lyrics by Vincent A De Jesus and a stage adaptation by Chris Martinez. It is set for March 17 to April 2 performances.
Read also: Artist Carlo Vergara speaks to Tatler about his legendary character Zsazsa Zaturnnah
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"The show deals with otherworldly proportions about what it means to be queer in the Philippines. Sometimes, in the end, it takes something out of this world to bring you the truth of who you are, the range of what you can do, and the love that's been right beside you this whole time," according to its artistic team.
Being an icon in Filipino pop culture as well as in the LGBTQ+ community, Ateneo's distinguished Rizal Library is the proud major sponsor of the much-anticipated production. The partnership aligns with the premier university's commitment to achieving sustainable development goals, particularly ensuring an inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, and strengthening partnerships with others in its communities.
"Zsazsa Zaturnnah calls attention to gender issues and concerns. This production will be accompanied by a series of workshops that is expected to ignite and deepen conversations surrounding the role of gender in our world today," Rizal Library's director Vernon Totanes says.
Read also: Love & Pride: Angie and Joey Mead King Speak About Their Marriage, Acceptance, and Breaking Barriers
Above Eula Valdes originated the role of Zsazsa Zaturnnah on stage and reprised it, as seen in this archival footage of the 2007 Tanghalang Pilipino production of 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah ze Muzikal'
Above 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah ze Moveeh' (2006) starring Zsa Zsa Padilla and Chokoleit
Eula Valdes originated the role of Zsazsa Zaturnnah on stage and reprised it, as seen in this archival footage of the 2007 Tanghalang Pilipino production of 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah ze Muzikal'
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The cast includes award-winning performer, singer, actress, entrepreneur, and social media influencer Kim Molina as Zsazsa; Phi Palmos, Adrian Lindayag, and Shaun Ocrisma as Ada; Joshua Cabiladas, Almond Bolante and Robert Bradley Hao as Didi; Juan Carlos Galiano, Jude Matthew Servilla, and Elian Dominguez as Dodong; Kakki Teodoro, Anyah de Guzman as Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux; Carlin Maximo, Jelena Evangelista, Dani Tan, and Heart Romeo as Amazonistas; Kyla Rivera as Aling Britney; and other members of the Ateneo Blue Repertory and students from the University of the Philippines Diliman complete the ensemble.
The production's artistic team is composed of Maramara, who just assumed the presidency of the Philippine Theater Actors Guild (TAG), De Jesus for musical direction, Tata Tuviera for production and costumes design, Franco Ramos for choreography, Adriane Ungriano for technical direction, D Cortezano for lighting design, Ralf Bor for graphic design, and Rio Reyes who made illustrations.
Read also: How a playbook on workplace inclusion can aid the LGBTQ+ community
Phi Palmos as Ada
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Maramara shares her gratitude for the acclaimed material's creators Vergara and De Jesus. "Without them, all of these would not be possible," she says. "For us to be creating this world about inclusivity, equality, not just tolerance but acceptance, and celebrating our differences, we owe it to them."
The director requests audiences not just see the show but also read the original comic book and its sequel. "When you read them, you will see the dramatic questions at play: How does queer folk find love in a heteronormative society. And this was very brave for CarVer to ask in the early 2000s. There has been so much development since then. . .and you would find that as much as we have progressed, we still have a pushback. We still need to ask that question today. And is it really queer love versus heteronormativity?"
Read also: 10 Safe Queer Spaces in the Philippines: O Bar, Nectar, Fred's Revolucion
Above A teaser trailer of the animated series of Zsazsa Zaturnnah by Rocketsheep Studios, helmed by Avid Liongoren
The hit musical follows the story of Ada, a gay beautician struck by a melon-sized stone while singing in the bathroom. Upon swallowing, the stone gives Ada the power to transform into the red-haired curvaceous super-heroine Zsazsa Zaturnnah. She has super strength, reflexes, agility, speed, and more. With her abilities, she saves their town from a giant frog, giant cockroach, zombies, and the Amazonistas, a group of hyper-feminine villains from Planet Xxx led by Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux. But alongside all these, one of Ada's conflicts is accepting the love of Dodong, the cis-gendered dreamboy of the town.
"We hope that the audiences feel the need to transform when they watch our show," says Maramara. "Transform not just in the heart, in the body, but also the mind. We hope to transform not just these little boxes of the comic book into a stage show but also transform to transform the boxes we put ourselves in. Let's break the box of heteronormativity. Let's transform our society," she concludes.
The show will run from March 17 to April 2 at the Doreen Fernandez Black Box Theater, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
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Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
