On stage: Facebook

The all-original, Cebu-made musical “You’ve Been Facebooked” played to enthusiastic crowds in St. Theresa’s College, Lakwatsa Lounge, the University of San Carlos-South Campus and Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus.

It was “the story of our generation,” said Pami Therese Estalilla, who is also the costume designer of the fun production.

The under-25 in the audience easily identified with the angst of the characters tangled in “love and lies, friendship and chaos as lived by the Facebook generation.”

A large screen flashed FB posts, as a cast of singers and dancers tromped the stage. In the final scene a booming voice from out of nowhere announced the presence of the California student-turned-billionaire, who gets a zestful accolade “Thank you, Mr. Zuckerberg.”

There was no dull moment. The music was a delightful surprise – catchy melodies and lyrical solos that were easy on the ear. For non-theater goers, the experience left many asking if this was a Broadway show adapted for a local audience.

Older, non-techy members of the audience got a bonus. Watching the show helped them lose their bewilderment over social networks in this entertaining parade of FB characters – the tweetums-sweet couple, the boyfriend stalker, the terminal ‘liker,’ the the gossip girl, the cyberbully and a wacky narrator who ends up behind hired by Mark Zuckerberg.

Composer, songwriter and producer Jude Gitamondo (the maestro behind another gem, Siddharta the Musical), has pulled off another successful stage production. It was a refreshing upbeat addition to the live theater scene in Cebu. / Eileen Mangubat