MMSU Teatro Normal presents a contemporary twist on a Shakespearean classic
By Niña Christelle Sumintac, STRATCOM Correspondent
Homegrown theater guild MMSU Teatro Normal brought a fresh and imaginative take on William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy during three sold-out performances on January 26 at Teatro Ilocandia.
For this year’s production, Teatro Normal staged “Hashtag Deact: The Fall of the House,” a creative adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. The play reimagined the tragic love story of star-crossed lovers caught amid feuding families, set against the backdrop of feuding families while infusing a contemporary and local twist.
The adaptation renamed the feuding families Mondragon and Capule, showcasing the guild’s creativity and cultural resonance. True to the original story, the play showcased the lovers' untimely deaths—brought about by exile, deceit, and a failed plan—and offered a sobering message about the destructive power of prejudice and the profound strength of love.
The lead roles were performed by College of Teacher Education (CTE) students: Miko Jose as Rye Exekiel Mondragon, Ronalyn Soneja as Jesse Capule, and Marc Louis Bondoc as Tyballe Capule III. Supporting roles were given to Mark Louie Espejo, Mike Gio Medrano, Troy Mañosca, Errol Jae Manglal-lan, Roldan Jay Miguel, Keith Han Pascua, Richmond Andrei Rivera, Sean Kiean Agasid, John Patrick Domingo, Grant Matthew Nicolas, and Lorelei Eunice Domingo.
Dr. James Ventura III, MMSU Teatro Normal’s theater director and a faculty member of the CTE Human Movement and Arts Education Department, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support of the audience. “We’re grateful to our community for believing in the power of storytelling and the magic of our theatre.”
MMSU OIC-President Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco commended the theater group for staging the remarkable performance, describing it as a testament to the university’s commitment to promoting culture and the arts in the country.
The MMSU Teatro Normal is composed of passionate CTE theater student artists from CTE. The theater group has showcased annual productions during the MMSU foundation anniversary celebration, including, “Ang Lagusan” in 2023 and “Ang Unang Aswang” in 2024.
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