The Ateneo Blue Repertory (blueREP) recently opened its 25th season with an original play, “Real-Life Fairytales.”
It consisted of a series of six unique vignettes about “how fantastical real life can be, or alternately, how fantasy isn’t so different from real life.”
Current and relevant issues affecting students, including those in the Ateneo, such as mental health, body image and drug use are examined through the lens of the magical and unusual.
This musical scene-cycle was written and musically directed by blueREP talent Ejay Yatco. He’s a composer, musical director and pianist who in 2013 represented the Philippines in the World Championship of the Performing Arts where he made it to the top 3 and took home a gold and three silver medals.
He was also nominated twice for Best Musical Direction and once for Best Music at the BroadwayWorld.com Awards, and has composed and arranged music for well-known companies in the Philippines.
Direction was by Missy Maramara, renowned instructor in the Theater Arts Program of Ateneo’s Department of Fine Arts. She holds an MFA from the University of Arkansas, and has directed several plays for blueREP and Ateneo Fine Arts.
Choreography was by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde AB Technical Theater graduate Franco Ramos.
Inquirer Lifestyle’s To Be You asked Ateneo students to describe the play in one sentence, and to pick their favorite character and explain their choice.
Patricia Menchaca
BS Communications Technology
“The play’s use of characters from popular childhood fairytales to highlight various issues of society today not only makes it interesting and relevant but also gives a sense of nostalgia. Helene Enriquez, one of the playwrights and also the one who played the strange, reptilian-looking girl, was my favorite because of her amazing singing voice.”
Afiqah Mahrub
English Language and Linguistics; exchange student from University of Brunei Darussalam
“‘Real-Life Fairytales’ is an eye-opening musical that everyone can relate to. My favorite was the main actor in the first act (the one who ate the happy pills). He played his character very well and I can personally feel his pain about trying to be happy.”
Jollina Go
AB Interdisciplinary Studies; Ateneo Lady Eagles basketball team
“The ‘Real-Life Fairytales’ play performed by blueREP was socially significant and relatable. My favorite character was the boy who took happy pills to forget his problems and sadness. The Philippines is currently facing drug issues and the play’s character showed why teens resort
to drugs.”
Gaspar Lorenzo
AB Interdisciplinary Studies; Ateneo track and field team
“It was a uniquely different experience filled with emotional depth. My favorite character was Gwen from the segment Terminal. She proved that her love for Lance was indeed true and never failing.”
Maria Miguela Tibayan
AB Humanities
“Watching ‘Real-Life Fairytales’ was a wonderful experience. I found the character Ariel comical.”
Jamie Lavitoria
AB Interdisciplinary Studies; Ateneo Lady Blue Spikers volleyball team
“‘Real-Life Fairytales’ is a play that epitomizes the unspoken truth about college students. The character who drew pictures of the guy/girl was my favorite because she is a great actress and singer.”
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