Queer pop culture icon Zsazsa Zaturnnah returns to the stage as Ateneo Blue Repertory restages the musical adaptation of the popular graphic novel, Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah, this March.

With Zsazsa Zaturnnah the Musical…‘Yun Lang! for its 31st season, the campus-based musical theater organization of the Ateneo de Manila University marks its return to onsite performances.
Headlining the production is actor Kim Molina, who will play the titular character and mark her return to musical theater after appearing in several movies. Molina rose to prominence with her award-winning performance in Philippine Educational Theater Association’s Rak of Aegis.

Zsazsa Zaturnnah’s human alter ego, the beautician Ada, will be played by Phi Palmos, Adrian Lindayag, and Shaun Ocrisma.

The first stage adaptation of Carlo Vergara’s 2002 graphic novel, Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal, was created by Chris Martinez for Cultural Center of the Philippines’ resident theater company Tanghalang Pilipino in 2006. The music, lyrics, and musical direction are by Vincent de Jesus, and it starred Eula Valdez as Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Tuxqs Rutaquio as Ada, and Agot Isidro as Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux. The play was staged until 2011.

Inspired by the Darna story, Zsazsa Zaturnnah follows the story of beautician Ada who finds a large rock that falls from the sky. Their friend Didi convinces them to swallow it. Upon swallowing the rock, Ada transforms into superheroine bombshell Zsazsa Zaturnnah. As Zsazsa, she battles threats to the town, such as a huge frog and a villainous band of alien women led by Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux. Zsazsa emerges victorious all the time, and Ada also catches the attention of town hunk and their crush, Dodong.

The cast includes Almond Bolante, Bradly Hao and Vino Mabalot as Didi; Kakki Teodoro and Anyah de Guzman as Queen Femina; Carlos Galano, Elian Dominguez, and JM Servilla as Dodong; Kyla Rivera as Aling Britney; and Dani Tan, Lena Evangelista, Carlin Maxino and Heart Romero as the Amazonistas.

Zsazsa Zaturnnah the Musical… ‘Yun Lang! is directed by ADMU Fine Arts professor and Philippine Theater Actors Guild secretary-general Missy Maramara. The production staff includes De Jesus, musical director; Tata Tuviera, production designer; Franco Ramos, choreographer; Adriane Ungriano, technical director; D Cortezano, lighting designer; Rio Reyes, graphic designer; and Louisa Tagulinao, production manager.

The musical will show on 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31 March and 1 and 2 April at the Doreen Fernandez Black Box Theater, Areté of Ateneo De Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.