The Rey Valera musical is finally happening.
It’s been a long time coming but businesswoman and Echo Jam producer Mhay Arenas recently revealed that she was entrusted the rights to the Rey Valera musical by the OPM icon himself, Rey Valera.
“Before pa pandemic, may usapan na kami ni Tito Rey Valera na sa akin nya in-award ‘yung Rey Valera musical. Si Eric Ramos ang magsusulat. Hindi nga lang natuloy, pero magpapa audition na sana kami,” she said.
Arenas said that with the pandemic restrictions easing up, there is a possibility that the auditions will happen soon because they are thinking of mounting the play this year.
“Nakaka-excite siyempre kasi Rey Valera ito. Iba talaga ‘yung mga kanta niya. Pinaka-favorite ko ‘yung ‘Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko’,” added the producer, who has also mounted the shows of Valera with Nonoy Zuñiga, Marco Sison and Dulce.
Since Valera’s hits are most notably ballads, such as “Tayong Dalawa,” “Maging Sino Ka Man,” “Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko,” “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako,” “Walang Kapalit,” “Kumusta Ka,” “Pangako,” “Malayo Pa ang Umaga,” “Hindi Kita iiwan,” “Ako Si Superman,” “Sinasamba Kita,” “Ngayong Wala Ka Na,” “Kung Sakaling Iibig Muli,” the musical will be a tale of love.
Arenas said the veteran singer-songwriter will have a part in the show. And she added that Rey has set his eyes on asking Sharon Cuneta to be in it.
“Siya na yung nagbibigay ng mga idea. Sabi nga niya, ‘yun na ‘yung legacy niya na maiiwan niya sa buong mundo,” related Arenas. “Sabi niya, ‘Ako, hangga’t ganito, medyo malakas pa ako, kumakanta pa ako pero gusto ko, may maiwan ako. Inihabilin ko ito sa ‘yo.’
“Alam mo, nakakatuwa ‘yun. Ang sabi pa ni Tito Rey, try lang niya raw kung papayag si Miss Sharon Cuneta na makasama sa musical.”
Arenas said she hopes to launch Valera’s book to coincide with the opening of the musical.
“Ibinigay niya sa akin ang rights to produce. Sabi ko sa kanya isabay na rin ang book niya kasi ang alam ko tapos na ‘yung autobiography niya,” said the concert producer, who also owns and operates several businesses, including JMJ Events Place and Bubbli-Moo’re in Malabon City.
