“Mabuhay” is a Filipino term commonly used to welcome. It's also the name of Rainbow Stage’s world premiere play that will welcome –– and dazzle! –– audiences to kick off the 2024 summer season in Kildonan Park.
Ma-Buhay! is by Winnipeg local Joseph Sevillo, a writer, director and performer who has brought together an incredible ensemble of Winnipeg's Filipino talent to bring this world premiere to Rainbow's famed stage.
Sevillo has composed all the music for the show, co-writing some of the songs with another local, Joshua Caldo. Ma-Buhay! is about a three young Filipinos from various economic backgrounds competing in the grand finale of a reality singing competition taking place in Winnipeg.
Considering it features original songs and dance routines that will have you cheering and busting a move in your seat, we've talked to veteran cast members, the musical's 19-year-old musical director/conductor, and the team of choreographers to learn just what Ma-Buhay! will mean for audiences members this summer.*
This includes Joy Lazo, the award-winning singer, actor and voice coach who continues to make waves in her 70s; Seanne Buenafe, the teenager who has arranged Sevillo and Caldo's songs as the piano and vocal arranger; and choreographer’s Lee Banaga, Sharlyne Chua and Jayel Masangkay, whose moves have been welcomed by the young team of performers.
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Joy Lazo
Joy, you've been involved with Rainbow Stage and Winnipeg's performance community for years. What does it mean to be putting on this production?
It’s a milestone for Rainbow Stage and for the Filipino community, and it’s amazing because in the 70 years history of Rainbow Stage, this is the first time they have ventured into new works, which is the Ma-Buhay!
You've coached numerous young singers and performers, some of which have gone on to Broadway. What is it like working with such a young cast here?
It's a very humbling experience, because it feels like I'm learning more from them than me. Although I have coached some of them, it's always like that. There is always something new that I find in them that I have not known. So, it's very humbling, it's very exciting, and I'm so proud and happy that I could get to do this for our young talents.
What do you want audiences to take away from Ma-Buhay?
The audience will realize that the stories that we are going to tell them are not very far from their own. We have three family dynamics they could relate to; it's not just exclusive or inclusive to Filipinos, because the message is universal. You talk about stage moms, your parents' dream to pursue that are then pursued by their children, and then you have the highly religious, strict upbringing. But, love wins at the end.
Seanne Buenafe
Seanne, we've seen videos of you playing original compositions at age nine, and you've won numerous piano awards over the years. That said, did you ever expect to be conducting your first stage production while still in your teens?
I don't know if I ever expected conducting anything in my teens. I really got into musical theatre as a performer first, but it wasn't until I started working with Ma-Buhay! that I really dived into the world of musical directing. I still pinch myself every day. It is so surreal and crazy that I get to take on such an amazing opportunity at this age, and I'm enjoying every single part of it.
How important is music to this production?
I think music plays a crucial role in this production. Us Filipinos are such a musical culture, music plays a huge role in our culture, and so naturally, music would play a huge role in this Filipino centred show. There are lots of different melodies that come back. There are lots of different songs that are influenced by different things, from Filipino folk music to Britney Spears to Nicki Minaj. There's tons of musical influences and the show would not be the same if it didn’t have any songs or music on it.
What do you want audiences to take away from this production?
It's so important to be unapologetically yourself on stage, and that these spaces do exist no matter who you are, no matter what community you belong to. For Filipino audiences, specifically, I also want them to get the message that musical theatre is a very viable option for us to showcase our talent, our musicality, our singing, dancing, acting, everything that we already do. Musical theatre is such a wonderful way to showcase and tell stories.
Choreographer’s Lee Banaga, Sharlyne Chua and Jayel Masangkay
Is there a better dance floor than 10 p.m. at a Filipino wedding?
Banaga: I think that would be the karaoke house parties at Filipino parties which you can have everything there, the “Titas” and “Titos” belting, people dancing and the food.
Masangkay: I'm going to say the social of the wedding, instead of the wedding itself, the actual wedding social.
Chua: Which is apparently a Manitoba thing.
Can you tell us a bit about the choreography of Ma-Buhay!?
Banaga: The choreography for Ma-Buhay! is heavily influenced by the hip-hop genre, but it's really collaborating with the lyrical side of jazz contemporary and inspired by the cultural scene for Filipino dances. It's quite unique seeing all these dance genres come together for the show.
What's it been like working with such a young cast?
Masangkay: The young cast is great, not only in age, but with experience too. We've really built a sense of family and honestly without it, I think we'd all be scrambling but to have all the kids, just think of it as not work, but more fun and play. I think that's the most enjoyable thing about it. Everybody is lighthearted even though it's a professional gig, it's fun to show up and spend 12 hours a day with the cast. We're glad, we're blessed.
Ma-Buhay! runs from June 27 to July 14 at Kildonan Park's Rainbow Stage. For tickets and showtimes click here.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity
