Hey, theater fans, if you’re still on a musical high from last week’s streaming of “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” you’re in for a treat as announcements are going around that the Cultural Center of the Philippines will be streaming “Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Musikal” on May 30, as part of their #CCPOnline initiative.
Based on Carlo Vergara’s graphic novel entitled “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah,” the musical was originally staged from 2006 to 2011 in various locations like CCP and PETA theater by Tanghalang Pilipino. It was even supposed to be part of the theater company’s lineup for their 35th season which was unfortunately canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Still, a lot of fans can’t wait to relive, experience and enjoy the musical online.
Carlo Vergara did tell everyone on Twitter that he shares the fans’ excitement and urges everyone to watch out for CCP’s announcement.
The play stars Tuxqs Rutaquio and Vincent de Jesus as Ada, a gay beauty salon owner who swallows a meteorite that transforms him into the powerful, red-haired and incredibly sexy superheroine Zsazsa Zaturnnah, played by Eula Valdez and K Brosas.
In the meantime, brush up on your Zaturnnah knowledge by revisiting the 2006 film directed by Joel Lamangan where Zsa Zsa Padilla played Zsazsa the superhero and BB Gandanghari embodied Ada in all the best ways. Not gonna lie, Zsazsa fighting that giant frog remains to be a picture of strength and bravery for me. Pops Fernandez in that snow queen-esque two-piece will always be remembered as an iconic fashion moment.
The Filipino superhero also inspired an animated adaptation produced by Rocketsheep studio. While the full film is yet to be released, two teasers have already dropped and by the looks of it, Zsazsa is going to face much higher stakes in her pursuit to save the world.
If you also want to get to know Vergara, the one to thank for “Zsazsa Zaturnnah’s” rise to cult classic status, you can stream “Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady” a play about sibling rivalry that he wrote for Virgin Labfest, directed by Chris Martinez.
Screengrab from “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah – Ze Teaser”
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