WE AREN'T KIDS ANYMORE

goldwinreviews
May 3
2 min read

The Last Five Years and We Aren’t Kids Anymore share a similar format, wherein there are no dialogues, and everything is conveyed entirely through singing.

This format suits The Last Five Years better because the order of songs has a meaningful progression that is able to represent the characters’ journey. On the other hand, WAKA features fragmented timelines with no solid narrative on the ground.

WAKA is disjointed, with random songs keep popping up out of nowhere. Having 1 character with 5 distinct characteristics, the show struggles to seamlessly bring the stage actors together.

At first glance, the choreography seems delightful and whimsical. But movements aren’t enough to convey the emotional depth of the songs. The lights and staging aren’t particularly helpful and effective as well.

This musical features 19 songs—all of which can be streamed on Spotify. Listening to the songs is more emotional than watching the live musical, as the latter falls short in bringing life to the lyrics.

With the absence of dialogues and scenes, the story behind each song doesn’t shine through. Storytelling is neither cohesive nor engaging. At any moment, you can disconnect from the musical. Each performance stands on its own.

This isn’t a musical anymore.

This is basically a concert without spiels.

WAKA is a concert experience with impressive vocals in it. The first part of acapella in Faking Cool, where the 5 voices harmonize, is a complete eargasm. Turn the page has a head-turning tune. You’ll get caught up with the savory notes on Caught in the Loop. The most sensible moment is the monologue and the poem.

The songs are packed with ear-catching tunes. The lyrics capture universal experiences and emotions. The band deserves a round of applause. Is this enough for Php 3,200 worth of ticket price?

If yes, then buy your tickets here: bit.ly/waka2025tickets or visit Barefoot Theatre Collaborative for more details.