The cast of the Noli Me Tangere – The New Musical Concert was headlined by Broadway performers Kristian Lei (5th from left) and Evan D’ Angeles (4th from right) as Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra, respectively, and local artists. (Photo by Mark Salondaka)

(19 June 2018, Honolulu, Hawaii) Noli Me Tangere – The New Musical Concert, a musical adaptation of the novel of Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, of the same title, was staged on June 14, 15 and 16, 2018 at the New Life Theater in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Written by Filipino composer and arranger, Ryan Cayabyab, with the libretto or opera’s text provided by Philippine National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, the musical tells the story of lovers Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara who lived during the Spanish colonial era and how the ills of society – corruption, injustice and abuses by the Catholic Church - threatened their relationship.

The show was sung in Filipino but included English narration and subtitles. It was headlined by Broadway performers Kristian Lei and Evan D’ Angeles as Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra, respectively, and several Hawaii-based Filipino artists.

The musical was one of the activities organized by the Filipino community in Hawaii to mark Philippine Independence Month as well as the birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal. The musical was produced by the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Asian Artists (MAFFAA), in collaboration with Tanghalang Pilipino and Kristian Lei Enterprises.

MAFFAA, which has also produced the Noli Me Tangere in major US cities– Chicago, New York, Washington, DC and Boston, is non-profit organization committed and dedicated to bring Philippine musical production to the US and other parts of the world through its collaboration with the Tanghalang Pilipino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines) and the Philippine Popular Music Foundation (PhilPop).

The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu was represented by its officers and staff, led by Consul Joyleen E. Santos, at the Opening Reception and Show on 14 June 2018 (END).

Ms. Anna Davide (center) who plays Sisa, joins the personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu and some members of the FIlipino community during the Opening Reception on 14 June 2018. (Photo by Mark Salondaka)