LARRY ITLIONG AN AMERICAN HERO - WHOSE JOURNEY TO EMPOWER HIS FILIPINO BROTHERS IS FINALLY TOLD
LARRY THE MUSICAL; AN AMERICAN JOURNEY MAKES ITS WORLD PREMIERE, A CELEBRATION OF FILIPINO PRIDE AND HEART
Review by Vince Mediaa
“You must believe that our truth is in our heart and our fight for equal justice” sets the theme for the World Premiere of LARRY THE MUSICAL: AN AMERICAN JOURNEY. The Nor Cal Filipino community is finally proud to honor activist and hero Larry Itliong. After five years of zoom meetings and source funding the new musical Premiered March 23rd at the Brava Theatre Center. The cast and the production team features some of the rich talent of the Bay Area’s Filipino community. Those who migrate to the United States arrive to discover the American Dream; to be heard and fight to be respected.
Executive producer and writer Gayle Romasanta says she had never dreamed about writing about her Filipino community “(this project) comes from a 100% Filipino American perspective - from inception to script, music and staging. The team behind this is a dream come true.” Directed and choreographed by the clever Billy Bustamante who says the musical embodies an important part of Filipino history: “ I have never been part of a project that is also a community building project, the idea that we set out to create a piece of theater, that is for, by, and about our community, is something that I have never been able to experience before.”
The cast includes some very polished local actors, some who have been with the project since its first drafts in 2018. Larry Itliong, father of the West Coast labor movement, stands out as a charismatic and innovative leader. Since his death in 1977, his story has been ignored. As Itliong, dynamic Eymard Menese Cabling opens with the story alongside historian Dr Dawn Mabalon who is interviewing Larry. Impressive JoJo Thompson-Jordan plays the real life author who wrote “Journey for Justice, the basis for this musical. The 12 member cast takes the stage as the story opens in the Philippines with a younger version of Larry played by the commanding Joshua Carandang. Romasanta story uses the classic flashback narative with the cast playing a number of roles.
Young Larry sings about his quest to move to the United States, “Where I Wanna Be.” His final goodbye to his beloved Malaya, played by the flawless Marah Sotelo, shows his relentless desire for change and equality. Their duet “I Promise You” sets the tone for Larry's dream for a new chance of living. Itliong immigrated to the U.S. in 1929, hoping to become a lawyer. Instead, he ended up working in the fish canneries and along the West Coast as a laborer. He joined the Manong Generation arriving in the ports of the west coast as locals shouted “Get rid of Filipinos or we’ll burn this town down” the mood for immigrants was hostile. The arriving Filipinos experienced bullied workers and saw unity as power in working together. The company sings “Landing” as music director and composer Sean Kena on stage band is a power source for the heart of the story.
Reyna is played by the skillful Bebe Browning, Sotelo plays Lourdes and the keen Angelina is played by the marvelous Vida Mae Fernandez who performs as the pageant celebrates its yearly event. Later Sotelo, who also plays Larry’s fiancee back in the Philippines, she stops the show with her ballad “Dear Mahal.” Browning also plays Mom and proves an exquisite solo in the song “Fever Dream.” The book and songs by Romasanta and Kevin Camia are soul-searching, emotionally charged with lyrics that pull at your heart. “Welcome to Delano” opens the second act, it is emotionally charged and features the entire company.
Larry organized the Filipino grape protest and changed history for farm workers in California. Itliong masterfully recruited new members. Union leaders had him move to Delano to organize the Filipino grape workers. Itliong historic Boycott that caught Cesar Chavez's attention and changed the labor movement. Elder and young Larry sing the anthem “Protest” with the ensemble, director/choreographer Billy Bustamante staged this number and many of the banner songs with healing and passion that many Filipino immigrants have experienced “Let’s fight for the voiceless.” the mission at hand.
Older and younger Larry sings “Better This Time” grabbing our heartstrings. The energy of the sold out crowds that attend this musical become a cast member, cheering and raising their fists especially in the second act when Itliong asks the ensemble to join him. The anthem “Solidarity Forever” featuring the explosive voice of Daniel Lloyd Pias and Jaron Liclican brings out the heart of this exhilarating musical. Kurt Tijamo plays the rough and tough Tomas. Rocky James Concepcion is Victor who sings, “She’ll Break Your Heart.” Concepcion’s spectacular voice steals the show at times. Later Victor shows his love for the young Perfecto played by local favorite Romelo Urbi as he sings “Train” with the cast. Jocelyn Thompson-Jordan is on stage throughout the entire two hour performance as Dawn who is capturing the story for her book. She sings a show stopping “I See You” with Cabling with strong voices and acting.
Music Director and composer Sean Kana and his seven member band bring out the best from of the twelve dazzling singers. Their voices ring across the Brava theater under the sound design of Elliott Orr. The production design by Ciriaco Sayoc includes some floating panels, benches and chairs that the cast arrange for each scene change. Lighting Designer Danielle Ferguson gives us the passage of time, beauty and protest. The musical is supported by Joan Osato’s projection design that tells Itliong’s history. The projections are highlighted by Misty Ty’s costumes that show off earth tone colors with that green fatigue look that both Larry's wear. A highlight are the lovely Filipino skirts.
“You must believe that our truth is in our heart” Larry sings to end his story, as the cast joins Dawn and Itliong in the beautiful finale that includes the theme of “A new way of living, a chance for forgiving, it's here right now” Romasanta's passionate script and Bustamante’s knockout direction bring this important new work to the American Theatre. The stunning score offers an American Dream where people's rights and happiness are at its heart. “LARRY THE MUSICAL” is uplifting, powerful, and a celebration of courage and a Must-See.
“You must believe that our truth is in our heart”
BRAVA THEATRE CENTER PRESENTS
The World Premiere of
LARRY THE MUSICAL;
AN AMERICAN DREAM
Book by Gayle Romasanta, Composed by Bryan Pangilinan
Music by Bryan Pangilinan and Sean Kana
Based on the book “Journey for Justice” by Dawn Bohulano Mabalon
DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY
BILLY BUSTAMANTE
MUSIC DIRECTOR SEAN KANA AND ALICIA JEFFREY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
GAYLE ROMASANTA AND BRYAN PANGILINAN
MUST CLOSE APRIL 14TH
Brava Theatre Center
2781 24th Street, San Francisco Mission Dist
Running time 2 hours with one intermission
Tickets larrythemusical.com
Photo’s by Christopher J Sotelo
THE CAST
