by Anna Patricia G. Valerio
Photos courtesy of Denise C. Santos
Although summer has already ended, Ateneo Blue Repertory chooses to mark the start of its 17th season with Summer of ’42, a tale of first love and loss in a time of war.
Under the direction of Mahar Mangahas (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), the stage adaptation of Herman Raucher’s screenplay and novel brings to life the coming-of-age story of Hermie (Marc Baluyan, III AB IS), a 15 year-old boy who is more concerned about getting to second base than with the ongoing war.
He develops a huge crush on Dorothy (Nica Reynoso, BS Mgt ‘03), a young woman whose husband (Reuben Uy, BS MIS ‘03) was sent off to fight with the other American soldiers. From having conversations over coffee to lamenting how “they don’t write songs like they used to” (from the song “Like They Used To”) anymore, Hermie’s friendship with Dorothy slowly grows into something he has never experienced before.
Aggie (Charmie Iñigo, IV AB Psy), Miriam (Isabella Jose, III AB Comm), and Gloria (Pearl Ganzon, IV AB PoS)—the girls that Hermie and his friends Oscy (Reb Atadero, IV BS Mgt) and Benjie (Adrian Ortiz, III AB Comm) fool around with at the movies—double as an Andrews Sisters-style Greek chorus, performing songs like “You’re Gonna Miss Me” and “Oh Gee, I Love My G.I.” throughout the show.
Other songs, such as “Little Did I Dream,” “Will That Ever Happen to Me?”, and “The Summer You’ll Always Remember,” make the play seem overly sentimental at times, but the show is still peppered with funny moments. Scenes such as Hermie gently stroking Aggie’s elbow and mistaking it for a “bare breast,” Oscy teaching his friends sexual education using a medical text book, and Hermie nervously buying condoms all portray the awkwardness and hilarity of teenage life.
Notable performances are given by Baluyan as the gawky Hermie, Atadero as the crazy Oscy, Reynoso as the lonely war bride Dorothy, and Kenneth Keng (BS LM ’03) as the wry Mr. Sanders. Their highly believable portrayals enable them to establish great rapport with the audience.
Scenes are also interspersed with Walter Winchell’s (also played by Keng) broadcasts about the war, but this theatrical conceit has very little impact on the audience. Since the audience isn’t all that familiar with the context of the play, his remarks often leave them clueless. It is the realistic set design, ‘40s-themed costumes, and evocative lighting effects that go a long way in helping capture the mood of the era and in giving the play some emotional precision.
Tinged with loss and nostalgia, Summer of ’42 not only gives you “The Summer You’ll Always Remember,” it also leaves you with a deep sense of longing for an era you never even lived in.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 g’s
This review makes me sad that i missed it. I love the ending lines. Well done!
“Walter Winchell’s … broadcasts about the war, but this theatrical conceit has very little impact on the audience.”
On the contrary, the audience who are familiar with the history of WWII (high school history anyone?) will be able to connect with the “news broadcasts.”
i loved this play! great review!
bluerep never fails to amaze me…their plays are really those types of plays that you’d be more than willing to pay for…unlike those of TA or ENTA (no offense) that you watch only because you’re required to, medyo madaya nga yun on bluerep’s part eh…but regarding the summer of ‘42 though…i’ve seen better plays coming from bluerep…this was just…okay…but who cares? can’t wait for their next attractions =))