MANILA -- Restaging a musical about childhood cancer is a rather unusual choice to celebrate a milestone.
I was wondering, “Why 'Dani Girl?'” to celebrate the fifth anniversary of The Sandbox Collective, and the 10th anniversary of its parent, 9 Works Theatrical.
“Dani Girl” is the defiant story of Danica Lyons, a 9-year-old stricken with leukemia. When we meet Dani, she is at the stage where she loses her hair due to chemotherapy. We meet her imaginary friend, Raph, who goes from happy and helpful, to sarcastic and snide, as he pops up during Dani’s journey. We also meet Dani’s religious, mother who has committed to be by her daughter’s side until the end.
Through Marty, the references to all things geeky and nerdy are plentiful. Hearing the Imperial March from "Star Wars" being used as house music made me expect Darth Vader to appear on stage . Marty is a character that’s lovingly crafted, from his nerdy demeanor to his various accessories , to some sequences that could have been lifted straight out of the movies he likes.
This particular cast with young actors playing Dani and Marty made this musical much more heartfelt, joyful, and painful to watch. On one hand, you have wide-eyed kids with a sense of wonder getting lost in their imagination. On the other hand, knowing and seeing that these are kids, and that they are dying of cancer just makes the tragedy more real. Kudos to the Sandbox Collective for finding and casting Napuli and Drilon and pulling this off.
The central theme of “Why is cancer?” could easily be reworded as “Why is pain?” or “Why is suffering?”. There are religious overtones in the musical but these were reigned in. Making Marty an atheist though still believing in a higher power through his superheroes just makes the musical’s themes more universal.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
EXCLUSIVE: 'Beautiful Justice' star Derrick Monasterio, gusto sundan ang career path ni Aicelle SantosMasaya si Derrick Monasterio sa mga positibong komento tungkol sa performance niya sa hit musical na 'Rak of Aegis.'
Read more »
Amid ‘chaotic situation,’ Drilon says it’s about time’ to review MMDA powersAmid what he called a “chaotic situation,” Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon proposed that the mandate of the MMDA in managing traffic on Edsa be reviewed.
Read more »
Horn snail may prevent spread of cancer cells, claims UP study
Read more »
After provincial bus ban mess, senators want review of MMDA powers'The reason for the injunction is that the MMDA admitted that they have no power and it belongs to the LGU. It's an opportunity for us to review this particular aspect,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Read more »
Family of Fil-Am postal worker killed by racist 20 years ago continues crusadeLOS ANGELES – Joseph Ileto had the day off on Aug. 10, 1999, his mother recalled. But when his coworker called in sick, he didn’t hesitate to cover his shift, she said. She remembered speaking to her son briefly on the phone that morning, but she didn’t know it would be the last time she …
Read more »
ATM fee hikes can't exceed over-the-counter charges – BSPThe Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reiterates all proposed ATM fee hikes will be up for thorough review. The proposed charges should also be lower than the fees collected from over-the-counter transactions.
Read more »