‘Jeproks: The Musical‘ is ready to rock the stage this November with the timeless hits of Pinoy rock icon Mike Hanopol, but how can today’s younger audiences be convinced to watch a musical rooted in the 1970s? For the cast members, the answer lies in the show’s music, message, and heart.
During a press conference for the show held on October 8 in Quezon City, the cast shared their thoughts on how Jeproks, The Musical can connect with different generations of theatergoers.
For Jeffrey Hidalgo, Jeproks, The Musical will easily resonate with audiences who grew up with Mike Hanopol’s songs, but he acknowledges that reaching the younger generation may take a little more effort.
Jeffrey shared, “I think kung… magiging first time ‘to na panoorin na musical or musical production pagdating sa mga Gen X, madaling bentahan. Kasi pag sinabi mo na Mike Hanopol yung songs, actually ang dami nang nagme-message sa akin agad e. ‘Uy, gusto ko yan, ha?’ Kasi nga, siyempre Mike Hanopol e! Di ba? Classic yan e! Lahat tayo we can relate to that.”
“Yung challenge is, yun nga, to convince the younger generation kung bakit sila manonood. I think, yun nga, feeling ko may pagka-woke din… yung story in a way. Kasi madaming messages doon and may message in the story na I think relevant siya hindi lang ngayon pati din nung time nung mga 70’s. So, kumbaga kahit nababago na iyong times, same pa din talaga iyong… sentiments ng mga tao,” Jeffrey continued.
For David Ezra, music has always been a powerful bridge between generations—and that’s exactly what makes Jeproks, The Musical so inviting. He believes that Mike Hanopol’s timeless hits can easily draw in audiences, even those who may not typically watch stage musicals.
“Tingin ko mas madali to invite someone na walang alam, hindi masyadong mulat sa musicals ngayon, na medyo nasa older demographic. Kasi kapag narinig ‘yong Mike Hanopol, automatic [na] ‘Uy, alam ko ‘yan.’ So alam niyo ‘yung madaling humila sa theater ng hindi mulat. E kasi parang wala silang idea what it is. So kapag narinig lang nila na, ‘A, mga kanta ni Mike Hanopol’, marami diyan iisipin concert e! Pero, kasi, ang dami ko na na-experience sa previous productions ko na gano’n. ‘Akala, concert mo, pero hindi pala! May pinop-portray kang character’. So I think itong Jeproks is maganda siya lalo na November siya parang malapit sa Christmas time. So parang yong families na nag-a-advance na celebration with the whole family,” David said.
David added that the songs alone are enough to bring in audiences of all ages. “I think madali naman… to invite people with the music of Mike Hanopol… kahit anong age. Honestly, ako, 1987 ako, so medyo tapos na yung peak… I mean yung peak ng Juan Dela Cruz [Band], pero yung ‘Laki sa Layaw’ alam ko yun mula bata ako e! So yun pa lang, yung ‘Laki sa Layaw’, parang madali na siyang pang-invite.”
‘Jeproks: The Musical’ is a high-voltage celebration of Pinoy rock, bursting with iconic tunes, big laughs, and heartfelt drama. It follows three friends—Mico (David Ezra), Willi (Jeffrey Hidalgo), and Paulo (Nino Alejandro)—as they form the legendary Sikatuna Band and navigate friendship, fame, and freedom in the politically charged 1970s.
Also starring Geneva Cruz, Sheila Ferrer, and Jett Pangan, the musical is directed by Frannie Zamora with musical direction by Joed Balsamo.
With songs like ‘Laki Sa Layaw,’ ‘Himig Natin,’ ‘Balong Malalim,’ and ‘Titser’s Enemi #1,’ the musical promises to resonate not only with fans of Mike Hanopol and the Juan Dela Cruz Band but also with a new generation discovering how music can speak truth and inspire change.
Produced by Tanghalang Una Obra and The Hammock Productions, Inc., Jeproks, The Musical runs from November 20 to 30, 2025, at the GSIS Theater on Roxas Boulevard. Tickets are available via Ticketworld and www.ticket2me.net.
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