‘Bagets: The Musical’ looking for ‘triple threats’ as auditions open in July
CEBU, Philippines — Do you have what it takes to be the next Tonton, Toffee, Gilbert, Arnel, or Adie, who can not only act but also sing and dance? You might just get your break in “Bagets: The Musical,” a new take on the classic 1984 coming-of-age film that starred William Martinez, J.C. Bonnin, Herbert Bautista, Raymond Lauchengco, and Aga Muhlach.
Produced by The Philippine STAR Media Group, along with Viva Communications and Newport World Resorts, in association with the Philippine Educational Theater Association, the musical is set to open auditions in late July for fresh “triple threats.”
“We want it to be like it was before, which was a platform to find new young talents that would be interesting,” the musical’s director, Maribel Legarda, known for helming “Rak of Aegis,” said in a press conference held June 11 at Viva’s office in Ortigas.
Chemistry also plays an important factor in casting the next generation of “bagets,” with Legarda adding, “Putting together the right people is already 90 percent of your work. At the end of the day, that’s what people will see, the ones who can bring the best out of storytelling.”
The team clarified that they are not seeking actors who can emulate the original cast but rather, those who can embody the characters, as the story relies on characterization that drives the narrative.
“Adie is a boy-next-door, cute type, baby-faced. That’s what we are looking for – not necessarily like Aga Muhlach, but the role he portrays. Or Toffee, played by J.C., who knows how to do karate,” said the musical’s writer, J-mee Katanya, known for writing GMA’s hit teleseryes “Lilet Matias, Attorney-at-Law” and “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”
“It’s a bonus if we could find an Aga Muhlach, why not? But the role that they represent and the characterization from the film – that’s what we are searching for in actors,” she added.
When asked if they would be open to casting Muhlach’s children and Viva talents, Andres and Atasha, for the musical, Viva Entertainment executive Baby Gil said they are invited to try out, as it’s an open casting call.
Music director Vince Lim shared that the new version of “Bagets” – targeted for a 2026 premiere – will mostly be a jukebox musical with a mix of foreign party songs and OPM ballads, along with a few original songs written for the production.
Viva Communications COO Vincent Del Rosario said they had received pitches to adapt their iconic ‘80s film into a musical but were not satisfied until PhilSTAR Media Group offered a proposal that felt like the right fit.
“When we heard The STAR’s proposal, we thought, maybe this is it. I think we are bringing the right creatives to help develop the materials,” Del Rosario told The STAR.
Philippine STAR President and CEO Miguel Belmonte said it was a “no-brainer” to collaborate with the Filipino entertainment company, as they had previously worked together.
“Viva is a competent entertainment conglomerate, and we partnered with Vincent in the past for a smaller, also successful project. Our partnership has good luck attached to it, and we are a match,” Belmonte said.
The PhilSTAR Media Group, which also owns The FREEMAN, BANAT News, Pilipino Star Ngayon, and BusinessWorld, hopes to diversify its offerings beyond print through PhilSTAR Next, in light of a rapidly changing media landscape.
Belmonte added, “The industry is undergoing a lot of change. All of us are continuing, trying to reinvent ourselves or innovate, especially in the Philippine STAR, because our business is very traditional. This is one of the areas where we are looking to innovate and tap, hopefully, another revenue
stream for us. We are just very lucky that Viva is willing to partner with us.”
The musical aims to attract both longtime fans of the original film and a new generation of viewers, as the story, set in its time, continues to resonate today.
Philstar Media Group EVP Lucien Dy Tioco said, “We are hoping that the younger generation would take great interest, because I see a lot of Gen Z who are buying vinyl records. There’s a huge interest in the ‘80s among the young and their curiosity for analogue.”
Newport World Resorts Manila, known for staging Filipino musicals like the Eraserheads jukebox hit “Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical” and “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical,” is excited to host another local production as part of its efforts to strengthen and industrialize the Philippine theater scene.
Newport’s executive chairman, Kevin Tan, said in a statement, “This partnership strengthens our vision of positioning the Philippines as the Broadway of Asia by staging more original productions and engaging more partners in the world of theater. Together, we are helping build a thriving and
sustainable performing arts industry.” — reports from The Philippine STAR and BusinessWorld — (FREEMAN)
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