It was an early ’00s Carlo Vergara comic book, then it was a movie starring Zsa Zsa Padilla. Superheroine Zsazsa Zaturnnah became such a cult favorite that it sprouted a Rocketsheep-produced animated film, several term papers by liberal arts students and a stage musical that played from 2006 to 2011. And if you missed that run, consider yourself blessed by the magical stone—the stage musical will soon be available for streaming.
Based on the original 2003 graphic novel by Carlo Vergara and performed by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)’s Tanghalang Pilipino, “Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Ze Muzical” follows Ada, a gay beautician from a small town, whose life drastically changes when he comes across a magical stone from the skies. Just as with Mars Ravelo’s Darna, swallowing the stone transforms Ada from his shy persona into his ultra-powerful alter ego—Zsazsa Zaturnnah, a vivacious superheroine out to fight the forces of evil.
Read more: An animated Zsazsa Zaturnnah film is in the works
The stage musical stars veteran actress Eula Valdez as Zsazsa and Tuxqs Rutaquio as Ada. As part of CCP’s streaming initiative, the show will be available online on their YouTube channel starting May 30. While other productions have a 48-hour run, “Zsazsa” is staying for awhile—it will have a limited run for one whole week. That’s seven days worth of reruns, if you ask me.
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Photo from “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah” by Carlo Vergara