A new jukebox musical adaptation of classic OPM songs will debut at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on September 18, offering a fresh take on beloved Filipino film stories.
The production draws from two late‑1970s films that featured the music of the band Hotdog, both originally starring Nora Aunor. Those movies centered on Annie Batungbakal, a modest saleswoman who transforms into a disco queen each night to escape her routine.
In the stage version, Annie is reimagined as an employee of a fashion design house called House of Pasion, shifting the narrative into the world of style and creativity.
The musical is presented by PETA Plus and produced in partnership with Viva Communications and the Philstar Media Group.
Director Chris Millado highlighted the blend of Hotdog’s iconic music with a story inspired by the original songs, emphasizing period‑accurate visual styling that evokes the late‑1970s and early‑1980s.
He explained that the show explores themes of identity, personal dreams, and inner confidence, while redefining the term “bongga” as a quality that originates from within rather than from external sparkle.
The creative team includes writer Liza Magtoto, music director Vince Lim, and choreographer Stephen Viñas.
Atasha Muhlach assumes the lead role of Annie Batungbakal in her first musical starring performance. She shares the stage with Sam Concepcion, Jeff Moses and Anthony Rosaldo, who rotate as Romer Pasion, a worldly flight attendant and heir to the fashion firm. KD Estrada portrays Burn, an aspiring folk‑rock musician, while Jackie Lou Blanco and Ring Antonio alternate as Aurora Pasion, the firm’s seasoned designer. John Lapus and Dindo Divinagracia take turns as Tarurit, the flamboyant proprietor of the Malate disco Coco Banana.
Muhlach returns to theater after a decade‑long hiatus, noting that the role demanded intensive dance performance and resonated with her desire to pursue new artistic challenges.
Concepcion described his character Romer as a high‑society figure who, despite outward confidence, harbors personal aspirations such as photography, and feels pressure to conform to family expectations.
Blanco characterized Aurora Pasion as a diligent yet traditional designer reluctant to embrace change, a stance that the narrative challenges through interactions with her son and Annie.
Millado emphasized the musical’s relevance to younger audiences, linking the era’s disco culture to contemporary quests for visibility and validation on social media.
The Coco Banana disco serves as a symbolic venue where characters seek acceptance; Tarurit’s intimidating presence underscores the barriers Annie faces in her pursuit of inclusion.
Central to the plot is Annie’s struggle with external expectations and self‑image, leading her to confront the temptation of losing herself in the glittering world she admires.
Ultimately, the production portrays each character’s journey toward authenticity amid the pressures of ambition and performance.
The musical will run from September 18 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.
