Daan ng Krus: The Musicale 2024

Four years after the pandemic, Daan ng Krus: The Musicale is back. The musical stage play retells the story and passion of Jesus Christ from the time He was born, crucified, died and resurrected. Teatro Mensaheros de San Antonio, the non-profit church-based theater group once again staged its long-running passion play for the Cavitenos.

The theater group was founded in 1994 and they were able to produce various plays such as Daan ng Krus, Ang Pasko ni Mr Kamkam, Si Rizal, Ang Labintatlong Martir Atbp to name a few. This Church-based community theater group was founded by Mr Jose Jeffrey Camañag who’s also the brilliant writer and the director behind the Daan ng Krus musical while Maestro Jesse Lucas composed the music for the play.

Tracing back its humble beginning, the first Daan ng Krus Musical was performed as a one-act play by the San Antonio de Padua Church choir in 1993 in which Roeder Camañag (Jeffrey’s brother) portrays the role of Jesus. It took inspiration from Cavite City’s annual Live Via Crucis which recently celebrated its 50th founding anniversary. Interestingly, instead of the traditional passion play, Camañag decided to transform it into a musical. From a one-act play, Daan ng Krus eventually expanded into two-act musical of one-and-a-half hour long.

Teatro Mensaheros restaged the Daan ng Krus The Musicale in various venues in Cavite. They kicked it off with a fundraising campaign in Gen. Trias Convention and Cultural Center. The proceeds went to the construction of Mary Help of Christian Parish. They also had free-admission shows in Cavite City, Quezon City and Naic, Cavite.

Unlike the annual Live Via Crucis in Cavite City, Daan Ng Krus The Musicale 2019 begins with the annunciation of Mary and the nativity of Jesus. The last time I witnessed this musical play was in 2019 and I was really impressed how they managed to utilize a very small venue and successfully delivered a well-crafted masterpiece. This year, however, they performed the play in Cavite City in a newly renovated Montano Hall.

Since most of the cast has been on the show since the very beginning, you can really tell how much they have mastered their respective roles. I didn’t get the chance to ask for the song titles but each music where nicely inputted in each scene to set the right emotion and mood to the audience. Not to mention the impressive stage production and brilliant lighting.

Daan ng Krus The Musicale 2024 retells the life and passion of our Savior Jesus Christ. All the events depicted on the 14 Way of the Cross Stations were covered by the play but in an impressive phasing. Here are some stills from the recently concluded Daan ng Krus: The Musicale 2024.

The annunciation

Mary and Joseph

The birth of Jesus Christ and the Three Kings

Jesus and the Demon

Peter and Judas

Ensemble

Mary Magdalene

The Agony of Jesus

Peter

Judas’ betrayal

The Last Supper

Jesus in front of Pontius Pilate

The crowning of Thorns

Jesus carries the cross

The crucified Christ

Calvary – Mary Magdalene, John, and Mary at the foot of the cross

Mary and John

The death of Christ

Resurrection