Lorenzo: The Musical

by Juan Ekis, Paul Dumol, and Joachim Antonio.

Lorenzo is a “musical-within-a-play” in three acts. The libretto of the musical was written by Juan Ekis; Paul Dumol wrote the introductory scene at the beginning of each act; and Joem Antonio conducted the research on the life of Lorenzo Ruiz. The three writers collaborated on the plot of the musical.

Synopsis:

Sitting in a prison cell awaiting his execution, Laurence tells his story to a reporter. Laurence, who had once been active in the theater scene, imagines writing a musical about San Lorenzo Ruiz. The parallel lives of Laurence and Lorenzo are presented side by side: Saint Lorenzo Ruiz's escape to Japan, which led to his martyrdom, and Laurence's imprisonment in an Arab country. The play also depicts the murders they committed, which led to their imprisonment; their spiritual struggles; their doubts; and, finally, their redemption. The reporter transcribes Laurence's ideas in the hope of staging the musical after his execution.

Lorenzo has three acts. In Act One, Laurence narrates how Lorenzo Ruiz kills a Spaniard and becomes a fugitive from the law. To escape, Lorenzo Ruiz accidentally joins a group of merchants en route to Japan. Unbeknownst to him, the merchants are actually Christian friars who would eventually be persecuted and tortured in Japan.

Act Two fleshes out the details of Laurence's crime in the Middle East. Laurence wonders about the circumstances that led Lorenzo Ruiz to kill a Spaniard. Was it premeditated murder or self-defense? Was it a crime of passion? Act Two is more exciting than Act One. It delves into the pivotal acts of murder that changed both their lives.

In Act Three, Laurence tells the reporter about his own conversion story. Laurence mirrors his own spiritual battles with Lorenzo Ruiz's own struggles.

Theatre Production:

First produced in 2013 at the SDA Theater of the College of St. Benilde.

Director: Nonon Padilla

Music: Ryan Cayabyab

Not published.