The fabulousness of Maxie is back--this time in a musical

If the songs I heard during the press preview of "Maxie the Musicale" are any indication (and I know they are), then this Filipino play adaptation of the beloved movie ("Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros") is bound to be one heck of a ride.

We know the movie so we're familiar with the story: A 12-year-old effeminate boy, Maxie, falls in love with a cop, who is out to get the former's family for their illegal livelihood. Will the friendship of the clip- and bangles-wearing fabulousness of Maxie develop into a relationship with the finger-licking good handsomeness of Victor?

I was hugely impressed with the handful of songs that the cast (in pink, of course!) performed for the press during the preview. The lyrics are clever, the melody catchy, the vocal performances of the cast topnotch. I can't wait to see the full show because I know the cast will deliver something hashtag-beautiful!

During the Q&A portion after the performance, the cast introduced themselves. This is when I learned that the lead actor (ahem, actress?) who plays Maxie, Jayvhot Galang, was discovered when producers saw a video of him in Facebook singing his heart out. He didn't disappoint during the press preview. Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston would be proud of this diva-in-training. This might be his debut work, but he appeared calm and ready for the spotlight.

So we know that there were several scenes in the movie between Maxie and Victor that would make the former the envy of many gay peeps, but will there be some in the play as well? If you were craving for an "I hope so" answer, you're in luck. There'll be, uhm, sexy scenes in the adaptation, too.

But producers were quick to clarify that the show isn't necessarily a strictly gay show. Obviously the musical deals with several universal issues as well--first love, family relations, and poverty, among others. So there should be something for everyone.

“Maxie the Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maxino Oliveros" (produced by Bit by Bit Company) will run from November 9 to December 8, 2013. Shows on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays start at 8pm while matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 3pm. All performances are at the PETA Theater Center in New Manila, Quezon City.

The show features book and lyrics by Nicolas B. Pichay (whom I met for the first time during the preview--I must say he's so witty and loveable), music by William Elvin Manzano, JJ Pimpinio, and Janine Santos, and direction and choreography by Dexter M. Santos.

Other cast members include Roeder Camañag and Nazer Salcedo (alternating as Paco Oliveros), Jojo Riguerra (Victor Perez), Al Gatmaitan and OJ Mariano (alternating as Boy Oliveros), and Jay Gonzaga (Bogs Oliveros).

For more info, please call 0917-8427346 or email maximooliverosmusical@yahoo.com. Follow Maxie on Twitter (@MaxieTheMusicale) or visit www.facebook.com/MaxieTheMusicale on Facebook. Tickets are available at all TicketWorld (891-9999) and SM Tickets (470-2222) outlets.