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One of the most acclaimed films in the history of Philippine Cinema is back onstage.

Aicelle Santos stars as Elsa of Himala, an enigmatic young maiden who becomes the faith healer of an isolated barrio in the middle of nowhere. Rumors that she makes miracles draw people from all walks of life, from the sick outcasts of society to wealthy bureaucrats, all of whom are looking for answers or at least a little relief. The sudden influx of visitors and outsiders revive the community's commerce on an unprecedented scale, while the undercurrent of depravity and corruption becomes as clear as the cracks in the dry, barren land that the very town is built on.

"This is the hardest role I'll ever play in my lifetime," says Aicelle Santos with a marked reverence. It's quite a statement considering her laurels: a meteoric rise to fame in the first season of ABS-CBN's Star in a Million, eight straight wins in Pinoy Pop Superstar on GMA, and an Awit Award for her performance in Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag. She was also recently seen in Ang Larawan, which garnered critical acclaim and swept up awards in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.

"I got excited but at the same time scared," gushes Aicelle about being cast for the role," It's big shoes to fill." After all, she is following in the footsteps of Nora Aunor, who played the role on the silver screen 30 years ago, and May Bayot, who played Elsa during the musical's multiple runs in the past 15 years.

"I have a different take on Elsa as compared to the movie," she states. Over the course of the musical, Elsa's character grapples with morality and her inner emotional conflicts as the town's collective expectations of her become too much to bear. Compared to the film, the musical lets the audience be more privy to her thoughts and emotions while leaving some mysteries unanswered. However, Santos clarifies, "She's not divine, she's human."

But not all humans can pull off the six-minute, three-part solo aria in one of the most dramatic scenes of the whole musical. The complex, experimental libretto by Vince DeJesus  is drastically different from past performances that Santos is famous for. "Especially kung sanay ka sa pop singing, it's really challenging."

The upcoming production of Himala deliberately features a completely new cast in order for it to reach newer audiences and finding an actress who was ready to be Elsa wasn't easy.

"It was a long, rigorous audition," recounts Director Ed Lacson, Jr. about the process of gathering the cast of Himala. It's one thing to sing the libretto, but acting compellingly requires a higher level of skill in order to convey the nuances and tension of each and every scene. Santos was cast for her emotional maturity and astounding vocal range.

"You have to be there," says musical director Vince DeJesus, "You have to shed your armor para lumabas ang emotions mo, otherwise you cannot take the songs." The musical itself is accompanied by the lone piano, which puts the vocal performances on a pedestal, with nowhere to hide. The songs have driven actors to tears in frustration as early as rehearsals on more than one occasion.

"Thank you. It's a big, big challenge but I have a very good director to help me." At the end of the day, the pleasure and the privilege is hers.

"It's a process, I take it day by day," Santos says, "I get to discover her in every rehearsal and find the inner Elsa in me." To become Elsa means exploring the universal human desire to find solution, solace, and inner peace, and what it's like to resist temptation in the form of a quick solution, however absurd it actually is. Ultimately, it takes innate talent to act and sing, and be able to step up to the challenge of starring in Himala. Call that a miracle if you will.

Leading the stage with Santos are Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, Neomi Gonzales as Chayong, Sandino Martin as Pilo, and Bituin Escalante as her mother Nanay Saling. The outsider filmmaker Orly will be played by David Ezra, while Floyd Tena and Omar Uddin will play the roles of priest and child respectively. Joining the cast as Jenny Villegas, Glenda Liao, Cristy Peredo, Matel Patayon, Sigrid Balbas, Hazel Maranan, Raflesia Bravo, Roxy Aldiosa, EJ Pepito, Joshua Cabiladas, Kits Falcis, Roby Malubay, Gary Junsay, Mano Domingo, Neil Tolentino, and Jasper Jimenez.

Rounding out the cast are Onyl Torres, Chuck Hipol, Ivan Panganiban, Alfritz Blanche, Ronna Gubba, Nel Gumalog, Katreen Dela Cruz, CK Manlili, Anjanette Vargas, Hannah Grefaroa, Joshua Isidera, Nhoel Obsequio, Eizel Marcelo, and Andrew Estacio.

Himala: Isang Musikal is an original musical with book and lyrics by Ricky Lee, and music and lyrics by Vince DeJesus, with direction and set design by Ed Lacson, Jr., musical arrangement by Jed Balsamo, lighting design by Barbie Tan-Tiongco and costume design by Carlo Pagunaling.

Heading the production team are executive producer Santi Santamaria, Anna Santamaria as operations director, Sab Jose as marketing and PR director, Erwin Romulo as creative consultant, Maine Manalansan as design director, Jonjon Martin as PR manager, Perky Parong as production manager and Pat Gascon as stage manager.

Ricky Lee and Vince DeJesus' Himala: Isang Musikal will be showing at the Power MAC Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati from February 10 to March 4, 2018. For inquiries and tickets, contact 09175545560, 5867105, sab@thesandboxcollective.com, or Ticketworld at 8919999. For a list of show buyers and contact details, please visit our Facebook page.