MCS junior Jedric Villar directs Theatre Club film production

Mount Carmel School junior Jedric Villar, second from left, directs a scene from the MCS Theatre Club’s forthcoming movie, Zero2Hero, which will reopen Hollywood Theaters on May 21. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

As part of the ongoing celebration of its 25th anniversary, Mount Carmel School’s Theatre Club presents its next production, Zero2Hero, which will reopen Hollywood Theaters on May 21. A sequel to Zero to Hero, which was released 10 years ago, Zero2Hero is continuing a club tradition of having students direct shows, with this movie being directed by MCS junior Jedric Villar.

Villar is no stranger to performing, having been a crew member on several Theatre Club productions and being an active member of the school’s music program. Directing Zero2Hero, however, has been his biggest role, which he says has been “amazing.” As he put it, “Directing the sequel wasn’t only fun, but it’s also been inspiring to see both cast and crew so enthusiastic.”

When asked what he hopes the audience will take away from the movie, Villar said, “My No. 1 goal is to entertain and to inspire.” Remembering his source of inspiration for the movie, he recalled, “When I was about 6 I saw the first Zero to Hero and I said to myself, I want to do something like that someday.” He also believes that the message of the movie is an important one for everyone to learn. “This movie shows us that we all can be heroes, whether that be standing up for someone or even just talking to someone who needs someone to talk to.”

As an active member of the school’s Theatre Club, Villar noted, “The performing arts not only entertain us, but they inspire us by bringing positive messages to the audience and the performers.” Emphasizing his point, he added, “Theatre, film, and the performing arts have the power to change the world.”

Zero2Hero stars Jill Mallari and Aleia Santos as Re’ha and Roze, two school rivals who are mentored by their older cousins, Richard and Zero, played by the two stars of the first film, Kevin Bautista and Victor Cabrera. The movie is directed by Villar and was written by school president and the director of the first movie, Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, along with Theatre Club AlumKnight Justin Ocampo.

Zero2Hero will have two screenings at Hollywood Theatre next week Friday, May 21, one at 6pm and the other at 7pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Herman’s Modern Bakery, Java Joe’s, Kagman Mobil, Naked Fish, Shell Puerto Rico, Shirley’s Susupe, Tribe Marianas, and the MCS Business Office. To comply with COVID-19 Mitigation Guidelines, tickets are limited and available only on a first-come, first-served basis.

Launched in 1996, the MCS Theatre Club celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, commemorating over 50 theatrical and cinematic productions, including several Disney musicals, numerous Shakespeare plays, and a number of original productions. The club started this year’s celebration in February with the sold-out premiere of the latest entry in its award-winning We Drank Our Tears series, the Stories of Visitacion, Henry, and Dave at American Memorial Park. Those films were followed up by April’s sold-out performances of the club’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic comedy, As You Like It. Zero2Hero, a sequel 10 years in the making, continues the celebration when it premieres next week. Later this year, the club will continue the celebration with another feature film, Isla, and the classic musical, The Sound of Music.

Zero2Hero was made possible by the generous support of the Frances Sablan Arriola, Great Harvest Bread Co., KKMP, Northern Marianas College, the Northern Marianas Sports Association, Saipan Iceland Amusement Arcade, San Vicente Elementary School, and Triple J Enterprises.

Funding for this production is provided by the CNMI CARES Relief Fund for Organizations and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020. For more information, visit www.mountcarmelsaipan.com. (PR)