ROCK OF AGES

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS. This is the song that lingers in my mind for several days after watching Atlantis Productions’ Rock of Ages at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati. The story is like the usual love angle of a city boy (Nyoy Volante), a country girl (Vina Morales), and a third party (Mig Ayesa) made hilariously different by its director Chari Arespacochaga.

I have watched several Atlantis Productions’ plays (courtesy of long time bff Atty. Fernandez) but this one made my heart groove. Maybe because the songs were the music of my youth or maybe because of the energetic performance of Aiza Seguerra, Jett Pangan, Calvin Millado, Jinky Llamanzares and the rest of the dynamic team which top bills Nyoy, Mig, and Vina.

The set was commendable and very artistic given the confined stage of Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium. Although this aspect is in a way favorable to the patrons since it provides close viewing distance to the performers even at faraway balcony area.

It was already expected that the star of the night will be Mig Ayesa simply because he is the biggest and the shiniest. Nyoy is a regular performer of Atlantis and so with Jett and Jinky. Both are thespians in their own rights. Newbies that add flavor to my night were Vina and Aiza. The latter plays as an activist named Regina (pronounced in a way that rhymes with female genitalia). Aiza’s performance and bravado was highly noticeable but it was so shameful of me to learn that she was “the Aiza Seguerra” days after I watched the play.

Vina Morales’ performance was actually passable in the early part of the story given that this stint was just her first foray in stage. She started to capture her audience when she sang “I’ve Been Waiting” with Nyoy Volante. And when she did her sexy scene with international star Mig Ayesa singing “I Want to Know What Love Is” she splendidly soar. She was determined to grab her share of applause that night and after that song I must admit she succeeds. She leveled with Mig. That scene made my jaw drop in awe. A sudden paradigm shift in Vina’s talent.

Atlantis’ Rock of Ages is not only big in stars but also big in surprises. It’s a pity that I can only watch it once unlike its movie version. It was like I had a time travel after the show. Back to reality so to speak. To continue my journey in life but this time with a little smile on my face and a hum in my mind. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS. I WANT YOU TO SHOW ME.

Maybe I should not stop believing.