'Zsazsa Zaturnnah' musical opens auditions for 20th anniversary restaging
MANILA, Philippines — A new restaging of "Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal" is in the works just as the production celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The musical based on the graphic novel by Carlo Vergara was first staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2006. It was warmly received for its fearless mix of camp, fantasy, satire, and emotional depth, and went on to become Tanghalang Pilipino's longest-running musical.
"Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal" was also celebrated for its outrageous comedy, larger-than-life characters, unforgettable songs, and groundbreaking queer representation.
It follows a timid gay beautician named Ada, who turns into the titular superheroine after swallowing a mysterious stone. She embarks on an adventure with alien queens, Amazonista warriors, romance, and emotional self-discovery.
Past editions starred the likes of Eula Valdez, Agot Isidro, K Brosas, Joey Paras, Nar Cabico, and most recently, Kim Molina in 2023 during a revival at the Ateneo de Manila University's Areté.
The upcoming restaging will be helmed by Chris Martinez, featuring music, lyrics, and musical direction by Vincent A. De Jesus.
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Open auditions will be held from June 7 to 9 at Quezon City's SIKAT Performance & Event Venue along Tomas Morato Avenue. There will be no walk-in auditions so all audition materials must first be submitted by interested individuals through the official casting form.
The roles up for grabs are Ada, Dodong, Didi, Aling Britney, Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux, the Amazonista warriors, and the ensemble. Artists of all body types, genders, and gender expressions are strongly encouraged to audition.
Auditionees are encouraged to prepare 16 bars of a soul, gospel, R&B, or blues song; a one-minute comedic monologue; movement-ready attire; and familiarize themselves with the original cast recording, as well as music by Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, and Mary J. Blige.
A Joel Lamangan "Zsazsa Zaturnnah" movie starring BB Gandanghari and Zsa Zsa Padilla was released the same year of the musical for the 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival.
An animated movie by Avid Liongoren, which he co-wrote with Vergara, premiered twice at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, featuring the voices of Phi Palmos (who played Ada in the 2023 restaging) and Adrienne Vergara.
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