Rama at Sita – The Musical is a 1999 full-length OPM Filipino musical in the Tagalog language. It is an adaptation of the 1980 Filipino rock opera ballet by three National Artists, Bienvenido Lumbera, Ryan Cayabyab, and Alice Reyes entitled, "Rama, Hari", based on the Indian epic Ramayana topbilled by Kuh Ledesma and Basil Valdez. The production was directed by Leo Rialp and is considered the most expensive theatrical production in the Philippines to date.
Productions Rama at Sita – The Musical premiered on February 4, 1999, at the University Theater in Quezon City under the stage direction and stage design by Leo Rialp and the musical direction of Danny Tan. The choreographer was Agnes Locsin. The musical starred Ariel Rivera and Lani Misalucha in the title roles, with Jaya as Surpanakha and Robert Seña as Ravana. The musical is one of the most expensive ever produced in Philippine entertainment history with a budget of Php 40 million, and the actor Franco Laurel was among the producers. Philippine fashion pillar Patis Tesoro served as costume designer.
Synopsis
While Rama is supposed to inherit the throne of his father King Dasaratha of Ayuthaya, his father's favorite wife Queen Kaikeyi pressures Dasaratha to fulfill the latter's promise to grant her two wishes. Kaikeyi wishes for her son, Bharata, to become king and to send Rama into exile along with his loyal brother Lakshmana. In their pursuits, they meet Sita, and the evil siblings Ravana and Surpanakha try to lure the couple into becoming their partners.
Musical numbers
Act I Sadyang Pinagtagpo (Vishvamitra, Ensemble) Huwag Takasan (Rama) Kaya Ko (Bharata) Halina sa Mithila (Rama, Lakshmana, Vishnamitra, Indrajit, Janaka, Ensemble) O Kay Dami ng Babae (Lakshmana, Ensemble) Sana siya na nga (Rama, Sita, Lakshmana) Iisa ang Tibok/Awit ng Pagsinta (Rama, Sita, Vishnamitra, Ensemble) Ang Sumpa ng Patay (Dasaratha) Tayo Na, Nariyan Na (Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Kaikeyi, Dasaratha, Bharata, Ensemble) Ako'y Iyong Iyo (Rama, Sita)
Act II Buktot, Ako'y Buktot/Harot, Ako'y Harot (Surpanakha, Ravana, Maricha) Type Kita, Rama (Surpanakha) Ginoong Ermitanyo (Sita, Ravana) Tingnan Mo ang Aking Byuti (Surpanakha) Kaya N'yo Bang Tumagal (Surpanakha as Sita) Magbalik Ka Na Mahal (Sita) Tagistis ng Ulan (Rama) Sadyang Pinagtagpo/Huwag Takasan [Reprise] (Rama, Vishnamitra, Ensemble)
Characters
Rama – crown prince of Ayuthaya; son of Dasaratha and husband of Sita Sita – princess of Mithila; daughter of King Janaka; wife of Rama Ravana – evil king of Lanka Surpanakha – sister of King Ravana Lakshmana – brother of Rama Dasaratha – king of Ayuthaya Kaikeyi – favorite wife of Dasaratha Bharata – son of Queen Kaikeyi; regent of Ayuthaya
Cast
Character Cast Rama Ariel Rivera, Raymond Lauchengco Sita Lani Misalucha, Chiqui Pineda Surpanakha Jaya, Emeline Celis Ravana Robert Seña, Nonie Buencamino Lakshmana John Arcilla, Ralion Alonzo Dasaratha Mon David, Eugene Villaluz Kaikeyi Pinky Marquez, Gigie Posadas Bharata Franco Laurel Kooni Carlo Orosa Indrajit Michael Williams Vishnu Bimbo Cerrudo Sugriva Lou Veloso Maricha Arlene Borja Hanuman Andy Alviz Gintong Usa Cecille Martinez, Patricia Borromeo Coronel Lakshmi Girl Valencia Janaka Zebedee Zuñiga Vishnamitra Edward Granadosin
Awards and nominations
YearAward ceremonyCategoryNomineeResult1999 Aliw Award Best Actress in a Theatrical Performance Lani Misalucha Best Actor in a Theatrical Performance Raymond Lauchengco
References