SHOW
Is there an art to breaking up?
The Art of Breaking Up cast says the stage production asks its performers to carry emotions that words alone cannot express.
In the upcoming musical stag production The Art of Breaking Up, the songs carry the emotions the characters cannot put into words, becoming an extension of every scene.
That emotional responsibility is something the cast says sets the upcoming ABS-CBN Teatro Kapamilya production apart, as its featured vocalists and actors work together to tell stories of love, heartbreak and healing.
Jarren Garcia said the experience changed his perspective on performing, teaching him that every song begins with understanding the people behind it.
“As a singer, what I’ve learned in this production is how to take notes from the director and fully understand the scene because here, we’re not just performing. We’re not just releasing our own emotions — we’re embodying the emotions of the actors on stage,” he said.
Fellow featured vocalist Kolette Madelo echoed the sentiment, saying the songs only come alive when they are genuinely felt.
“Hindi ka lang basta-basta kumanta, kailangan mo rin siya i-feel talaga para ma-express mo kung ano ang nilalaman ng mga kanta mo at ‘yung mga ina-acting ng mga actors para ma-feel nila (You don’t just sing; you really have to feel it — to express the essence of the songs and to convey the emotion so that the actors can feel it, too),” she said, admitting that performing the show’s more emotional numbers can also take a toll on her.
There is no shortcut through heartbreak, according to Jude Hinumdum.
“Heal because you deserve to, and heal sa sarili mong timing. Allow yourself to allow the grief — hayaan mo siya maging bisita kasi pagkatapos niyang magawa ang business niya, aalis naman ‘yun (Heal because you deserve to, and heal at your own pace. Allow yourself to experience the grief — let it be a visitor, because once it has finished its business, it will eventually leave),” he said.
Dingdong Bahan believes the first step is simply sitting with the pain instead of running from it.
“I think the simplest way to deal with a breakup is to sit with it. You don’t need someone to distract you, even yourself. Have yourself a ‘me time’ and treat yourself to a good sweet after,” he shared.
Letting go comes easier when a failed relationship is viewed as a lesson instead of a source of anger, Me-Ann Espinosa said.
“Siguro, you don’t have to rush it. Mas madali sa akin mag-let go if I treat that relationship not with anger, but as something I learned from. Nobody owes you anything. Mahalin mo na lang ang sarili mo muna (Just love yourself first).”
Meanwhile, Nikki Valdez said the production reminded her that healing is always possible.
“Na-learn ko na ‘yung art of breaking up kasi pwede naman eh, naghe-heal naman ang tao (I’ve learned the art of breaking up — because it is possible; people do heal),” she said.
Produced by ABS-CBN Teatro Kapamilya in collaboration with PETA Plus, The Art of Breaking Up runs from 6 November to 6 December at the PETA Theater Center under the direction of Dudz Teraña. The cast also includes Yen Santos, Teroy Guzman, Brent Manalo, JC Alcantara, Anna Luna, Analain Salvador, Jel Tarun, Yesh Burce, AJ Sison, Bibeth Orteza, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Ruby Ruiz, Jake Cuenca and Janella Salvador.