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Jerry Donato - The Philippine Star
June 20, 2025 | 12:00am
What makes a country’s musical theater vibrant and thriving are companies like Tanghalang Una Obra. They carry on the tradition of presenting stories and originals that have universal themes and familiar characters, told through singing, dancing and acting.
Tanghalang Una Obra’s contribution is “Jeproks: The Musical,” which features 15 songs of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) rock artist and legend Mike Hanopol, with Frannie Zamora as the director.
Essaying the role inspired by Mike Hanopol and immersing in the latter’s music era is singer and actor David Ezra, the son of OPM singer and also actress Dulce.
“Game na game talaga (I’m totally game),” answered David to the inquiry of The STAR about being part of the original musical and his Broadway and classical music branding in a group chat. Recently, he graced a private musical event in Jakarta, Indonesia and performed before distinguished and elite people, as reported in a story published in this paper.
As for “Jeproks: The Musical,” which also displays his versatility music genre-wise, David welcomes this latest development in his career.
“This (the musical) is going to show a different side of me and my singing style also,” added he. “Wala ng pag-aatubili (I had no hesitation about accepting the project). Sabi ko, ‘Rock? Sige, game yan kasi yan ang gusto kong makita ng mga tao talaga (I said, ‘Is it rock?’ OK, count me in and it’s another side of me that I really want people to see).”
During the interview, David shared that he did not go through the usual audition process. He has also worked with director Frannie and musical director Joed Balsamo. The latter knows the vocal range and style of David, including his capacity to sing rock songs.
He recalled that the people behind the production asked David to send videos of him playing the guitar and performing some rock songs.
David studied music in college and was also a band member. As an instrumentalist, he plays the piano, guitar and drums.
To play the part of Mike Hanopol and be part of “Jeproks: The Musical,” he will bank on his experience and insights gained from starring in “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” as one of its ensemble leads, “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Himala: Isang Musikal.” David was also part of the latter’s film version, “Isang Himala” and his performance as Orly, the filmmaker, earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Hindi naman siya bago sa akin (it’s not something new to me),” said David on playing a real-life character and the preparations it requires, “since I’ve done roles na totoong tao (before).”
The first was Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Philippine president, in “Mabining Mandirigma” back in 2016, and next was playwright and patriot Aurelio Tolentino in “Aurelio Sedisyoso” in 2017.
“I played real people, may experience na ‘ko (I have experience in taking on such a role),” shared he, “Inaaral ko sila and even the mannerisms (I take the time to study the persons and also their mannerisms, like way of walking).”
Part of character study is also knowing more the songs, aside from the Laki sa Layaw (Jeproks), and music of Mike Hanopol and the Juan de la Cruz band.
David is familiar with embarking on such an endeavor. He has learned it from school, specifically from the conservatory.
As a performer and a musician, he said he has the obligation to study the contexts such as the political landscape that shape the music and songs as well as the artist’s mindset at the time of the art production and creation.
“Kailangan meron ka ring input dyan (as an actor, you also have an input on the portrayal of the character),” said he.
What also excites and thrills the creative in David is the chance to originate the role and the work that comes with it, seeing him in some starting-from-scratch and exploratory activity.
“Yes, alam mo ang ganda niyan… gusto ko yung ganto, yung mag-o-originate ng role kasi ikaw yung pioneer, eh. Ikaw yung magsisimula (you know I find it nice, which is something I want to pursue that I will be originating, pioneering it and as someone who will play the role first),” shared he. “Tas, kung magkakaroon man ‘to ng re-run or movie adaptation, nauna ako. So, yun po yung maganda dun, yun yung gusto ko po dun (if it’s going to have a re-run or a movie adaptation of ‘Jeproks,’ I can say that I’m first to take on the role. It’s also the good thing about it).”
Also presented by The Hammock Production, Inc. and Twin Bill Theater, ‘Jeproks: The Musical’ will have its playdates from Nov. 20 to 23 and Nov. 27 to 30 at the GSIS Theater, J.W. Diokno Boulevard, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard.
