Photo / Tanghalang Pilipino
Filipino families should make time to watch Tanghalang Pilipino’s latest production of Sandosenang Sapatos.
Sandosenang Sapatos is a musical adapted from the short story by Dr. Luis Gatmaitan and follows the journey of Susie, a young girl who wishes to fulfill her shoemaker father’s dream of having a ballerina for a daughter. Susie, however, was born without feet.
Each year, on her birthday, Susie enters the world of enchanting shoes, where the Shoe Fairy gives her a pair of feet, allowing her to dance to her heart’s desire. However, she loses her feet whenever she leaves the enchanting world and faces her father’s disappointment. It takes a tragedy for her to understand the depths of her father’s love.
Sandosenang Sapatos is touching, and while some plot choices felt odd for this writer (that are spoilers), it’s the kind of story that Filipino families would surely love.
Photo / Tanghalang Pilipino
Powerful performances from the entire cast back the musical’s touching story. Wincess Jem Yana was spectacular as Susie. Her vocals hit every note effortlessly, whether in the high-energy number “Sa Panaginip Lang Ako Minamahal” or the more emotional “Anong Silbi ng Pagsulat.”
Yana’s stamina is also incredible, as she is onstage for most of the one-act play, which had no intermission. Her only break seems to be in the “waking world,” where she is in bed or a wheelchair.
Susie’s world of enchanting shoes is a sight to behold, and it’s no surprise that Sandosenang Sapatos won Outstanding Costume Design and Outstanding Production for Children at the 14th Gawad Buhay Awards.
Twelve cast members play the role of different shoes, each with their own fantastical costume. Felicity Kyle Napuli, who alternates with Yana as Susie, played the opening night’s Diwata. All of them are a treat to see and hear together. The shoe that stood out was MC dela Cruz as Sandals, who seems to be the pop star of the group. Their performance is what I expect to see in a good dream.
Photo / Tanghalang Pilipino
Tex Ordoñez-de Leon and John Joven Uy are excellent as Susie’s parents, as is Mica Fajardo as the young girl’s older sister. All three effectively grounded the story in reality, even if it’s sad.
Sandosenang Sapatos‘ music comprises memorable earworms, thanks to Jed Balsamo and Noel Cabangon. One of the show’s standouts is “Sa Panaginip Lang Ako Minamahal,” with a terrific melody and lyrics.
Sometimes, the songs flow one after the other, with no breaks in between, so it may be hard to distinguish where one ends and the next begins. Perhaps a gap between songs may be helpful and for the audience to clap and show appreciation for the cast’s strong performances.
Overall, Sandosenang Sapatos is a great way to welcome the holiday season with the family.
Sandosenang Sapatos runs from November 15 to December 8, 2024, with shows from Friday to Sunday. Tickets are available at Ticket2Me and TicketWorld.
The rest of the cast includes Mark Lorenz as One Year Old, Murline Uddin as Two Years Old, Rey Correjado as Three Years Old, Natasha Cabrera as Yellowy, Lance Soliman as Red, Heber O’Hara as Bluey, Bea Remollo as Maong, Gelo Molina as Pinky, Patricia Rolda as Sequins, Sarah Monay as Whitey, and Paula Espinola as Ballerina.
Sandosenang Sapatos is adapted by Layeta Bucoy and directed by Jonathan Tadioan. Jed Balsamo does the music direction and arrangement. Choreography is by Stephen Viñas, with associate choreography by Francis Gatmaytan. The show’s production design is by Marco Viaña and Paw Castillo, lighting design by Gabo Tolentino, and sound design and engineering by TJ Ramos. Sandosenang Sapatos’ musicians are Tyrone Mateos on piano, RJ Alfafara on percussion, and Jordan Amaca on guitar.
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