BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Quezon City, Philippines – Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), a 55-year-old professional theater company focused in staging productions in the Filipino language, has partnered with Indie.Go Media, a top-ranking broadcasting and media production company, as well as Star Magic, the primary talent management arm of ABS-CBN, to bring to life the original Filipino musical of award-winning playwright Rody Vera, Walang Aray.

Aside from this partnership like no other, this is the first time that a topnotch Kapamilya love team will perform in theater outside of an ABS-CBN project. KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad, popularly known as KDLex by their fans, will perform in the 12 out of 40 shows of Walang Aray, which will run at the PETA Theater Center from Feb. 17 to May 14, 2023. Another first is the live performance of PETA in their in-house performance venue since March 2019.

Alexa Ilacad admitted encountering challenges with the high notes during rehearsals as well as adjusting to the theatrical style of live singing where you have to really project your voice but this only made her even more excited: “After the first day, I went home, sabi ni Mommy…kamusta…kaya mo ba? Pwede ka pa humindi. Sabi ko, I love it, I love it so much!”

“We immediately felt we belong. You’re all my peers,” said KD Estrada. He confessed to having difficulty memorizing and speaking Tagalog lines even while shooting his TV shows, so because of this project, he practices his Tgaalog every day and even his parents help out by speaking to him in the vernacular.

Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi introduced the two to Broadway musicals while they were exploring New York and ignited their passion for theater.

“We are coming from a period where art was deemed non-essential,” PETA artistic director Maribel Legarda explains. “We need partnerships, we need community, and we need to come together. This partnership with Indie.Go Media and Star Magic blurs the borders and allows for collaboration to happen between artists and creatives from various sectors and organizations,” she added.

Alexa plays Julia, a theatrical performer who is from a well-to-do family but has an independent spirit. KD plays Tenyong, Julia’s lover, who eventually ends up joining the rebels because of an incident involving his family. Marynor Madamesila and Gio Gahol alternate as Julia and Tenyong respectively.

“We are thankful to PETA for this partnership. This joint venture will surely be fruitful not only for PETA and Star Magic, but also for the entire industry, and most importantly for the artists who are part of this production. We know this experience will help our artists, Alexa and KD, in their craft,” enthusiastically shared Dyogi.

Walang Aray cast is comprised of Ada Tayao, Ayla Garcia, Carlon Matobato, Donn Boco, Gie Onida, Gerard Dy, Jarred Jaicten, John Moran, Kiki Baento, Neomi Gonzales, Norbs Portales,

Tom Bienvenida, and Yeyin Dela Cruz. The swings (actors who undesrtudy all the roles) are Gardo Exconde and Csai Habla.

Young PETA artists make up the majority of the cast and these are the people who comprise the artistic staff: Ian Segarra (director), Vince Lim (composer, musical director, sound designer, additional lyrics), Happy Constantino (sound designer), Gio Gahol (choreographer), Julio Garcia (production designer) and Ayla Garcia (voice coach). David Esguerra (lighting designer) and JayLo Cunanan (costume designer) also collaborate with the theater company as guest artists.

Feb 17 to May 14, 2023 will be the regular run of Walang Aray at the PETA Theater. You may purchase tickets at www.ticketWorld.com.ph starting December 10, 2022. You may contact Mitch Go at 0917-539-1112, if you want to buy tickets in bulk or a whole show.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Peta Theatre PR