Second chances and Nineties nostalgia take the stage in ‘Muli: An OPM Musical’

The musical addresses the crossroads many people face at various stages of their lives. “Muli is about having the courage to start all over again,” Pammit shared. “When you are in your twenties, the world is your oyster. You can do anything you set your mind to do. However, as you get older, it actually gets harder for you to start over because you have much more to lose.”

Bringing the multi-layered character of Anita to life is no simple feat. When asked to rate the difficulty of the role on a scale of one to ten, Teodoro humorously answered, “32.”

“Honestly, every rehearsal makes me feel like giving up,” Teodoro admitted. “But because it is new, important and beautiful, we really want to make sure we deliver it properly. You just have to take a step, and then take the next step and really start from where you are. Even if you are afraid, you are going to do it anyway.”

The production also marks a major milestone for several cast members who are making their theatrical debuts. For Teñoso, stepping into the world of musical theatre required adapting her established pop vocal skills. “I am really learning as I go through the rehearsals,” Teñoso shared. “I expected that my castmates would be incredibly talented and that I would learn a lot from them.”

Similarly, social media personality and comedian Baus Rufo is taking on his first musical role. Known for his hosting and stand-up comedy, Rufo found the transition challenging but rewarding. “Putting all those skills together in a musical has been a very fun challenge,” he noted, expressing gratitude for the supportive environment created by the seasoned cast and crew.

Read more: Kakki Teodoro spent decades on stage. Now she speaks up about what’s changing—and what isn’t

Directed by Andrei Pamintuan, the show aims to guide the audience through a full spectrum of emotions whilst maintaining a highly collaborative rehearsal environment. Pamintuan praised the creative synergy, noting that the team frequently threw “crazy ideas” around to build the show’s distinct universe. “I hope people leave the theatre feeling hopeful,” Pamintuan remarked, highlighting the core message that it is never too late to begin again.

Beyond its emotional narrative, the show serves as a tribute to life in the Nineties. The script revisits the iconic decade with throwbacks and comedic references designed to resonate with viewers who grew up during that time, whilst also introducing the era to younger audiences. Cast member Vien King emphasised that despite the nostalgic setting, the themes transcend generations. “As a Gen Z, and as one of the younger ones in the cast, I feel like I still relate to the themes and teachings of this musical,” King observed.

The musical features a diverse soundscape crafted by Nica del Rosario and Matthew Chang of FlipMusic. The powerhouse cast performs 11 original songs created specifically for the show. During the press preview, the ensemble showcased their range with tracks like Ya Girl, a vibrant pop anthem celebrating Filipina confidence and humour, and Silver Spoon, a soulful melody sung by Teñoso about feeling trapped by privilege and expectations.

The emotional peak of the preview was Iba't-Ibang Mundo, a moving number that highlights the contrast between Anita’s hopeful younger self and her current, more defeated state. Rufo also provided a short snippet of his rap number, showcasing the diverse musical styles integrated into the show.

“The script jumps from one OPM era to another, so we tried to make it feel like one cohesive organism—different moving parts, each with its own sound and character, but all working together,” del Rosario explained.

Chang added that every track serves a specific narrative function. “The fun thing about writing songs for a musical is that all of the songs need to have a specific purpose to push the story forward,” he noted. “The songs, the soundscape, the world-building, it all needs to serve the purposes of the story.”

Muli will run from September 11 to 27 at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater at the BGC Arts Center. Tickets are currently available via TicketWorld and the production's official website.

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