NOAH the musical has a heart for the environment

N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat) will soon turn the Meralco Theater into one colorful zoo!

This musical comedy, which marks the return of Carlo Orosa to acting onstage, will be performed starting September 4. It was originally conceived and staged as a puppet show way back in 2003.

In this modern adaptation of the Biblical story of Noah and the ark, theatregoers will be treated to a musical laced with wit and humor as it tackles issues on faith and obedience.

Mr. Noah (Carlo Orosa) and his family live in a polluted world. In a desperate solution to clean the earth, Noah prays for a miracle and God answers: Noah is to build an ark, load it with two of every animal in the world, take his family into the ark—and only God knows what for!

Carlo is joined by Sheila Francisco, another theatre star from London's West End, as the culinary challenged Mrs. Noah. Their sons are played by the Sison brothers—Marek, Enzo, and Ruiz—who are alumni of Trumpets in their theater workshops. Sam Concepcion and newcomer Fred Lo alternate in the role of The Narrator.

N.O.A.H. is staged by Trumpets, the theater company that brought some of the country's critically acclaimed productions such as Joseph the Dreamer and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

"It is based on Noah's Ark. Ginawa na lang namin na nakakatawa. Actually, Jaime wrote a very funny script. So, it's really a comedy," said Trumpets president Audie Gemora.

Writer and director Jaime Del Mundo said, "We first did a production of this show in Music Museum. We had the voices of Gary V and Bituin Escalante and even Sam Concepcion, who at that time, was still a kid.

"At that time, I thought, this would be interesting to see and done by actual live actors," Jaime added.

Rony Fortich, who is now musical director at Hong Kong Disneyland, created the original music together with Jaime del Mundo. He added two more songs from the complement this live staging of what was once a puppet show.

Mio Infante, who serves as production designer, brought the animals to life by using thin rattan frame structures worn by the chorus then dressed with fabric and feathers.

N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat) will open on September 4 and will be staged at the Meralco Theater every Friday, Saturday, and Sundays of the month.