tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66838742221449981552024-03-15T18:09:52.965-07:00Fred Said: THEATER, CONCERTS, EVENTSFred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.comBlogger448125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-55054444353311969172024-03-02T06:12:00.000-08:002024-03-07T01:51:25.807-08:00TP: Review of PINGKIAN: A Writer's Worth<p><span style="font-family: arial;">March 2, 2024</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gf4L_emggcn7zwXE_ljDm9ikxjAQmMkG0HSDSfZBVRBmtfsDTweHaWNwz-j_Jx7Da0XbmnmOG4a4_X9BALexqPropfrHkCAoKcMS5JhidZCmOS2Se558edLzUp3mlcAf8ZYg_N0Fx3d6hNbxVpFmrpQ2tVuPuQ-G5XCbil0yTBoLN8RyefHQht8bHOY/s1080/pingkian.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="873" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gf4L_emggcn7zwXE_ljDm9ikxjAQmMkG0HSDSfZBVRBmtfsDTweHaWNwz-j_Jx7Da0XbmnmOG4a4_X9BALexqPropfrHkCAoKcMS5JhidZCmOS2Se558edLzUp3mlcAf8ZYg_N0Fx3d6hNbxVpFmrpQ2tVuPuQ-G5XCbil0yTBoLN8RyefHQht8bHOY/w324-h400/pingkian.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1898, Emilio Jacinto (Vic Robinson) led his troop of revolutionary fighters on a mission in Majayjay, Laguna. They were ambushed by Spanish troops, and Emilio was severely injured in his right leg. He was captured and held prisoner by Spanish soldiers (led by Jonathan Tadioan). A sympathetic doctor (Marco Viana) was called in to treat his injuries. A young Katipunan scout Isyo (Joshua Cadelina) found him, but he was too weak to escape.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As Emilio's life lay precariously on the balance, he had bleak nightmares about dark moments in his past, and rosy dreams about the bright future ahead. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> He had fever-induced visions about his best friend Andres Bonifacio (Paw Castillo), his fellow revolutionary Dr. Pio Valenzuela (Almond Bolante), his mother Josefa Dizon (Bituin Escalante), his wife Catalina de Jesus (Gab Pangilinan) and his hero Dr. Jose Rizal (Kakki Teodoro). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In a time where the jukebox musical seems to be the easier formula to success for a new musical production, featuring songs by known acts, like Aegis and the Eraserheads previously. Three more of the same are premiering this year, featuring songs by Ben & Ben, Parokya ni Edgar and Jose Mari Chan. It is always a more formidable challenge to compose an all-original song score, so this one is a winner for me, even for that fact alone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Many songs were powerful anthems, like "Hindi Pa Tapos ang Laban," "Nasa Loob ang Himagsikan' and "Pangarap Ko'y Kalayaan" in Act 1 ("Dilim"), and "Liwanag at Dilim," "Katapusan" and "Kalayaan" in Act 2 ("Liwanag"). The highlights of Act 1 were Jacinto's masterpiece, "Ang Kartilya" ingeniously set into a rapping rhythm; and "Pahayag," showing the initiation rites of Katipunan members. "Ikaw ang Liwanag,"</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> a love duet between Emilio and Catalina, wa</span><span style="font-family: arial;">s a refreshing breath of fresh air in Act 2. The choreography by Jomelle Era brought these songs into vibrant motion, ending in dramatic tableaux. These songs, with catchy tunes and stirring lyrics, are all going to be released on Spotify soon, and we will be ready to play them on repeat by then.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Emilio Jacinto was onstage practically for the entire 2-hour length of the show, a most exhausting role for Vic Robinson. I do not remember seeing him tackle such a big important role before, and with such impressive conviction and passion. With every song, Robinson aced various genres, from the punishing belts of "Ang Kasalanan ni Cain" (in the style of "Jesus Christ Superstar") to the rapid-fire rapping of "Kartilya" (in the style of "Hamilton"). As early as now, he seems to be a lock for the Best Actor in a Musical award next year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Gab Pangilinan played two very different characters -- the Judas Iscariot-type traitor Florencio Reyes and the ever-smiling better half Catalina de Jesus. Bituin Escalante only came out in Act 2, and still she owned the stage with her singular presence and rich vocals. I do not know why they chose to cast a female actor Kakki Teodoro as Dr. Jose Rizal (and I'm not sure I'm totally on board), but, as always, she rocked the role, especially in her featured song "Ang Ating Pinaglalaban." But then again, Apolinario Mabini had been played by a female actor in multiple runs of "Mabining Madirigma," so gender-swapping icons is not new to TP.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Almond Bolante looked totally manly here as a Pio Valenzuela with a rockstar vibe, totally different from the very gay Didi with a soaring counter-tenor in "ZsaZsa Zaturrnah the Musical" (2023). As Bonifacio, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Paw Castillo had a strong singing voice that was perfect for inspiring nationalistic fervor. As the idealistic aspiring lawyer Isyo, Joshua Cadelina got to lead the ensemble in two songs -- "1898" and "Liwanag sa Dilim (Reprise)". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Roby Malubay, VJ Orejotse, and Chan Rabutazo played three priests clad in black. You may think they were Gomburza, but they were actually Frs. Agapito Echegoyen, Domingo Cadenas and Antonio Piernavieja, who were executed for being whistle-blowers against the clergy. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Jude Hinumdum had a solo spot number "Narito Na Ba ang Liwanag," as a townsperson named Cirilo Javier. Jam Binay played Emilio and Catalina's daughter Laya, who sang with her parents in "Ikaw ang Liwanag (Reprise)."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The rest of the ensemble include: EJ Pepito, Paula Paguio, Roxy Aldiosa, Laui Guico, and Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company members Mark Lorenz, Sarah Monay, Erick Alcontado and Llorvie Nuevo-Tadioan. Anchored by the solid bass-baritone voice of Roby Malubay, the impressive choral singing by the Ensemble provided an ethereal musical curtain that enveloped the action onstage, immersing the audience in what felt like a religious experience. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It is only March 2024 now, but I believe I just watched the musical which will sweep all the theater awards to be given out next year. It is a shoo-in for nominations and, very likely, wins in Outstanding Musical, Book of a Musical (Juan Ekis), Stage Direction (Jenny Jamora), Musical Direction (Ejay Yatco), and all its outstanding technicals (sets by Carlo Pagunaling, sound by TJ Ramos, lighting by D Cortezano, and projections design by GA Fallarme). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Most of us only knew Emilio Jacinto as the Brains of the Katipunan, and nothing much more beyond that monicker. This musical allowed us to enter the mind of this young man who loved his country, who used his talent in writing to inspire people to do the same. His codename "Pingkian" referred to a small stone which can produce a spark when struck to create a fire. That was exactly what his patriotic writing did to the hearts and spirits of his fellow Katipuneros. It was very sad to know that he only lived 23 short years, yet he was able to bequeath a valuable legacy in his writings. Thankfully, we now have this musical to highlight and celebrate that legacy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">*********</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Pingkian: Isang Musikal" runs from March 1 - 24, 2024, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">FRI (8PM) | SAT (3PM and 8PM) | SUN (3PM), at the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Get your tickets from the following: <a href="https://bit.ly/PINGKIAN2024" target="_blank">LINK1</a> or <a href="https://bit.ly/PingkianTickets" target="_blank">LINK2</a>. Price for Regular Tickets is P1,500 only.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-21615665909624882392024-03-01T15:21:00.000-08:002024-03-01T18:17:08.788-08:00REP: Review of BETRAYAL: Anatomy of an Affair<p><span style="font-family: arial;">March 1, 2024</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeZB65hBM0gZoICO5lWhw84EDrQvyTbuvtZ9iALOf_VPxCkEBGo7S89lk1lgRrs9URC3_CoYWIFYLWOLxjWyTjdg3HoZSescQoH66OazlMC6yCnnI0hNN0rPPI5mmderD4kkM800QpjwmVp-m4epE5RJ2IcXyiI90F9EjALg8KQN-HiJO3SOb0MP5hFo/s1536/betrayal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1086" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeZB65hBM0gZoICO5lWhw84EDrQvyTbuvtZ9iALOf_VPxCkEBGo7S89lk1lgRrs9URC3_CoYWIFYLWOLxjWyTjdg3HoZSescQoH66OazlMC6yCnnI0hNN0rPPI5mmderD4kkM800QpjwmVp-m4epE5RJ2IcXyiI90F9EjALg8KQN-HiJO3SOb0MP5hFo/w283-h400/betrayal.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One day, visual artist Emma (Vanessa White) was inaugurating an art installation in her own gallery in London. After the event, she got together to talk with Jerry (James Cooney), her husband Robert's (James Bradwell) best friend. It turned out that two years ago, Emma and Jerry just ended an illicit relationship which had lasted for seven years. Jerry thought no one knew about it, but Emma told him that she had already told Robert about their affair. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Repertory Philippines had been regularly staging English language plays and musicals every year since 1967. But after "Stage Kiss" had its run in February 2020, the next show "Anna in the Tropics" was shut down by the pandemic. They only had one show a year from 2021 to 2023. Rep comes back strong this year with its 87th season -- 4 new shows (with 2 of them original Filipino works) in a new venue -- the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Rep's opens this season is "Betrayal," a classic 1978 three-hander play by Nobel Prize-winning British playwright Harold Pinter. This is Rep's first time to tackle a Pinter play. For the first time in Rep's history, three West End British actors, all with Filipino blood, were cast in the lead roles. New York and London-based actor-director Victor Lirio, also of Filipino descent, also makes his theater directorial debut in the Philippines with this project.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Pinter wrote this play with 9 scenes depicting episodes of Emma and Jerry's affair behind Robert's back, presented in reverse chronological order. The first scene was a reunion of Emma and Jerry in the present day after two years of no contact, while the final scene was the start of their affair at a party 9 years prior. Younger theatergoers will recognize this was the same style used by Jason Robert Brown in "The Last Five Years" (2001). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the three main actors are actually based in London's West End, their Britishness lent more authenticity to the play. Their English accents were, of course, the real thing, with none of the inconsistent or overwrought artificiality some local actors tend to affect when playing British characters. Also, the whole play had a different feel from previous Rep plays -- everything felt toned-done and restrained, even the humor and the arguments. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Also in the cast are Philippine-based actors Jef Flores and Regina de Vera. During the play, you'd mostly see them moving furniture and set pieces around between the scenes. Flores would also play a bit part as the Italian maître d' at a restaurant Jerry and Robert had lunch in. However, more than that, Flores is ready to cover for either Jerry or Robert in case the actors are unable to play, while de Vera is the cover for Emma. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The set designed by Miguel Urbino was elegantly white, sparse but efficient. The centerpiece of the backdrop was a large Pacita Abad painting, which Emma had brought in from the Philippines to exhibit in her London gallery, framed by a huge rectangular arch. The lights of John Batalla were bright and glaring, to further emphasize the whiteness of the set. The resulting atmosphere in the gallery felt bleak, sterile and clinical. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Lirio added a prologue scene at the beginning of the play set in Emma's gallery inaugurating a Filipino painting. Aside from the Filipino reference, this was supposed to set the story in Emma's point of view while staying faithful to Pinter's text. According to the post-show Q and A, Lirio also added an epilogue scene of Emma and Jerry with no dialogue, set in a darkened bar or club, to establish the attraction between them, before Robert came into the scene.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>******</p><p>"Betrayal" runs from March 1 to 17 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza. Shows start promptly at 3:30 pm (matinees Saturdays and Sundays) and 8 pm (evenings Fridays and Saturdays). They close the gate promptly at start time (even when there are still people lining up at the door), so do not be late!</p><p>The play runtime is about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with no intermission. You can buy tickets through Ticketworld on this<a href="https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/Show.aspx?sh=betrayal24" target="_blank"> LINK</a>. Ticket prices: P2,500 (Orchestra Center and Loge Center), 2,000 (Orchestra Sides) and 1500 (Balcony). </p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-61410212387200383632024-02-29T07:19:00.000-08:002024-03-01T02:02:39.596-08:00Sandbox: Review of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE: Tournament Techniques<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> February 29, 2024</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESZdnV2QelDvReBk12hD8NJRrtClsDilDI_o-QKTp3HhFD8_NvfKTOCmwwZYSXXrHppsxy-W8lYa1ZwbgDBzWc0-I2ydMcpMfg6U8Pg1nQY4zQUAVWR4hc8xgx1byeuEJnHciOsomfLFUuHdJKQGSoAE_Gwy2dudvNCjOVQcakidOik7oc22AGrLjhKg/s1799/25th%20Annual%20Putnam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESZdnV2QelDvReBk12hD8NJRrtClsDilDI_o-QKTp3HhFD8_NvfKTOCmwwZYSXXrHppsxy-W8lYa1ZwbgDBzWc0-I2ydMcpMfg6U8Pg1nQY4zQUAVWR4hc8xgx1byeuEJnHciOsomfLFUuHdJKQGSoAE_Gwy2dudvNCjOVQcakidOik7oc22AGrLjhKg/w320-h400/25th%20Annual%20Putnam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For the past 25 years, Putnam County had been holding a prestigious spelling bee featuring kids who had won (or at least placed) in their respective local competitions. The master of ceremonies this year is Rona Lisa Peretti, who had been a grand champion speller herself. The actual word pronouncer was ill, so Vice Principal Panch pinch-hit. Ex-con on parole Mitch Mahoney was</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> the comfort counsellor, giving juice boxes to kids who get eliminated.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The contestants this year include: the lovestruck defending champ Chip Tolentino, the pig-tailed lisping daughter of a gay couple Loggaine SchwartzAndGrubennierre, the childish kid who thought he was "not-so-smart" Leaf Coneybear, the no-nonsense over-achiever Marcy Park, "Magic Foot" technique speller with peanut allergy William Barfee, and the shy girl often left on her own by her parents and whose best friend was her dictionary Olive Ostrovsky. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the matinee show I watched, Star Magic talents AC Bonifacio played Marcy, as Angela Ken played Olive. Becca Coates played Loggaine, Luis Marcelo as Chip, Ron Balgos as Barfée, and Elian Dominguez as Leaf. Among the adults, Robbie Guevara played Panch, while Jordan Andrews played Mitch. (Their alternates are: Shanaia Gomez, Krystal Brimner, Justine Narciso, Diego Aranda, Joshy Ramirez, Shaun Ocrisma, Audie Gemora and Nyoy Volante respectively in order.) The only actor without an alternate was Liesl Batucan as Peretti.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Director Missy Maramara made sure the show was filled to the brim with youthful energy and nerdy glee, from the yellow color motif of the stage to the frenetic pacing of the contest. In the show I watched, AC Bonifacio and Angela Ken stood out among the girls, and Ron Balgos and Elian Dominguez among the guys. The performances of Becca Coates and Luis Marcelo were affected by </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the muffled sound system of the venue so I barely understood their songs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the interactive gimmicks of this show was the calling of four members of the audience to come up the stage to become contestants of the Spelling Bee. During the show I watched, Nicki Gil was one of the guest spellers, but the other three were regular Joes, which can be boring to watch when they took a very long time spelling. One of the guests actually misspelled a word, but this error was not caught by Robbie Guevara, so she stayed on longer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The original 2005 Broadway show was directed by James Lapine, with music and lyrics by William Finn and a book by Rachel Sheinkin. I had seen this show before, staged by Atlantis at the RCBC Theater back in 2009. In my memory, I remember the show being very funny, so I enjoyed it a lot. However, I did not recall that there were some squirmy moments, like a boy's member getting excited, or that irreverent cameo by a supposedly Jesus character. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">********</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs from February 24 to March 17, 2024, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati. Tickets can be bought from Ticket2Me (<a href="https://ticket2me.net/event/21688" target="_blank">LINK</a>), with prices ranging from P3300 (Premium), P2700 (Regular) and P1900 (with obstructed views).</span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-26587314766520142512023-12-19T15:52:00.000-08:002023-12-20T00:24:04.343-08:00My Yearend Roundup: THE BEST OF PHILIPPINE THEATER 2023<p><span style="font-family: arial;">December 20, 2023</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the pandemic was declared in 2020, the theater industry was one of the worst hit. The experience of theater required people to gather in one venue to watch a live performance of actors and singers on a stage. However, these were the very things which were discouraged by the quarantine precautions set by health authorities. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">By March 15, 2020, all running productions at that time ground to a halt, including Black Box "Dekada 70," Trumpets "Joseph the Dreamer," TP's "Batang Mujahideen" and Blue Rep's "Next to Normal." Kapamilya Theater's "Tabing Ilog," Atlantis' "The Band's Visit" and Rep's "Anna of the Tropics" did not even get a chance to start their run at all. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The industry tried to adjust by resorting to online streaming of videos of plays and musicals, from June 2020 (the Virgin Labfest 2020 on CCP's Vimeo channel) </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to July 2022 (Benilde Theater Arts' "Doc Anna... Let's Kill This Lab!" on ticket2me.net). But of course, these did not have the same impact for true-blue theater fans. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Beginning August of 2022 as the populace had been vaccinated and the precautions eased up, theater production companies thankfully began to stage live face-to-face plays and musicals once again. The first shows to hit the stage were all excellent -- Barefoot's "Mula Sa Buwan," TP's "Anak Datu," DUP's "The Reconciliation Dinner" and Rep's "Carousel." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For the year 2023, I had seen and written about 25 theater productions: 10 musicals, 5 full-length plays, and 11 one-act plays. Philippine theater is very much alive and well again, selling out better than Philippine cinema, it seems. Broadway behemoth "Hamilton" even made its Asian debut at the Solaire in October this year, to quickly sold-out dates. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There were several shows re-staged this year -- Sandbox's "Every Brilliant Thing" (2019) RWM's "Ang Huling El Bimbo" (2018), TP's "Ang Pag-Uusig" (2017) -- which I was not able to watch again. Due to schedule conflicts, I was only able to catch two sets of the Virgin Labfest. I also unable to watch some college productions, like TA's "Ang Mga Pag-ibig Nina Elias at Salome" or DUP’s "Rosang Taba" and "Sidhi’t Silakbo."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I will list here what I feel were the best among those theater shows I had seen and written about for 2023:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I. ORIGINAL FILIPINO MUSICALS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjajt8YqK4Nfjs5Ogfft1Xov0bDftgPUqYCEJ9KYlyvurom7cWBlWhbAe9DgIud6DAgXZWSIeFr0fzccw2NoHK2dmbtG4NNgB26dL3p6J1DHkkrY5RQbm7jnlSd9QUegaIVsX1rhznOMWC44TSLtpz02VZ1oj476nGHQ3ST9K_1oTdM58q6Zcl67KOqI/s640/walang%20aray.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjajt8YqK4Nfjs5Ogfft1Xov0bDftgPUqYCEJ9KYlyvurom7cWBlWhbAe9DgIud6DAgXZWSIeFr0fzccw2NoHK2dmbtG4NNgB26dL3p6J1DHkkrY5RQbm7jnlSd9QUegaIVsX1rhznOMWC44TSLtpz02VZ1oj476nGHQ3ST9K_1oTdM58q6Zcl67KOqI/w256-h320/walang%20aray.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div><br /></div>Best: <b><span style="color: red;">WALANG ARAY</span> </b>(PETA)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Book: Rody Vera</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Music and Songs: Vince Lim</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Director: Ian Segarra</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Julia was a famous sarsuela performer and Tenyong was her patient true love. Julia had to keep their affair a secret from her demanding mother Juana, who wanted her to marry Miguel, the son of Don Tadeo. When the abuse of clergy led by Padre Alfaro led to his parents deaths, a furious Tenyong decided to leave town and join the rebels. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Other Notable Productions:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Rama, Hari" (Alice Reyes Dance Philippines)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah" (Ateneo Blue Rep)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Tabing-Ilog" (Teatro Kapamilya)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Hero Z" (PhilStagers) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Notable Performances:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Alexa Ilacad, Gio Gahol, Neomi Gonzales, Kiki Baento, Carlon Matobato, Johnnie Moran, and Gerald Dy (Walang Aray). Arman Ferrer, Karylle, Miah Canton, Katrine Sunga, and Poppert Bernadas (Rama Hari), Kim Molina, Phi Palmos, Almond Bolante, and Kakki Teodoro (Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah), Miah Canton and Vino Mabalot (Tabing Ilog), Wincess Jem Yana and Marynor Madamesila (Sandosenang Sapatos)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Memorable Tech Aspects:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The direction, witty book, catchy songs and music, and elaborate set and costume designs of "Walang Aray." The costumes of "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah." The nostalgic set design of "Tabing- Ilog." The futuristic costumes and the anti-zombie antidote machine of "Hero Z." The whimsical set design of "Sandosenang Sapatos."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">II. NON-FILIPINO MUSICALS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjHLQFhJNGcP2rURjtCaVqXkrQIuzpOt_O1Ywx013ohvB3JdrvSHbuOpC8QIVuQHEG5l8VL-t6JjZiYkO3DxI1wBY-RzcYsXiezBQMbwvwp3iUPAS0IrjYlplRv9lLWJelDNsVoy6zLp-wYIKhV8mxZUdjW9ZPnEPqeg3KObpiyHY_Eh3AwSuCSVviw4/s4000/20230820_165041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjHLQFhJNGcP2rURjtCaVqXkrQIuzpOt_O1Ywx013ohvB3JdrvSHbuOpC8QIVuQHEG5l8VL-t6JjZiYkO3DxI1wBY-RzcYsXiezBQMbwvwp3iUPAS0IrjYlplRv9lLWJelDNsVoy6zLp-wYIKhV8mxZUdjW9ZPnEPqeg3KObpiyHY_Eh3AwSuCSVviw4/w240-h320/20230820_165041.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Best: <b><span style="color: red;">TICK, TICK... BOOM!</span></b> (9 Works)</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Book, Music and Songs: Jonathan Larson</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Director: Robbie Guevara</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">New York City,1990. Jon is turning 30 years old in a few days but he is still waiting tables at a diner, yet unable to stage a show on Broadway as he planned. His best friend Michael was making serious money as a marketing executive, already owning a BMW. His girlfriend Susan, a dancer, had serious intentions of settling down and moving to Cape Cod. The pressure clock is loudly ticking, ready to explode inside Jon's head as his birthday drew nearer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Other Notable Productions: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"The Last Five Years" (Barefoot)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Snow White and the Prince" (Repertory Phils.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Notable Performances: Khalil Ramos, Reb Atadero and Tanya Manalang-Atadero (Tick Tick Boom), Gab Pangilinan and Myke Salomon (The Last Five Years), Jill Ita-as and Carla Laforteza-Guevara (Snow White)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Memorable Tech Aspects:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The "breaking-up" set design of "Tick Tick Boom". The "walkalator" set design of "The Last Five Years." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">III. FILIPINO PLAYS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A. One-Act: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZBoOjcynz-_p3ndS4NW53BSi6Nn7G1bpuno0gSv8PA7JjZlc3P50cclvTBsWlayDscDk_bQjUjDbnwnBrKPA8ZZnTnZByWQVCr7LmYyph7HU8_Xw6EPffMfFhDxmzpVRFwLL55PlRLs5oLJbDUuAXtMvN5OooeuttrTbgXzwei_LJHlQrfM3vsqAwW4/s4000/20230923_164508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZBoOjcynz-_p3ndS4NW53BSi6Nn7G1bpuno0gSv8PA7JjZlc3P50cclvTBsWlayDscDk_bQjUjDbnwnBrKPA8ZZnTnZByWQVCr7LmYyph7HU8_Xw6EPffMfFhDxmzpVRFwLL55PlRLs5oLJbDUuAXtMvN5OooeuttrTbgXzwei_LJHlQrfM3vsqAwW4/w240-h320/20230923_164508.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div>Best: </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: red;">THE IMPOSSIBLE</span></b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: red;"> DREAM</span></b> (Kumprontasyon)</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Writer: Guelan Luarca</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Director: Melvin Lee</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Pres. Ferdinand Marcos summoned Sen. Benigno Aquino from his prison cell to coerce the senator to confess to the crimes he was accused of. The two exchange views about their perceptions about the nature of the Filipino people and politics in the country.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Other Notable Productions: </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Lakambini" (Kumprontasyon)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Hukay" (Virgin Labfest Set C)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Room 209" (Virgin Labfest Set C)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Notable Performances: </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ron Capinding and Romnick Sarmenta ("The Impossible Dream"), Sherry Lara and Teroy Guzman ("Lakambini"), Missy Maramara ("A Color for Tomorrow"), Andoy Ranay and Floyd Tena ("Hukay"), Eshai Mesina ("O'Donnell")</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Memorable Tech Aspects:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The direction, script and set design of "The Impossible Dream." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">B. Full-Length: Original Filipino Material or Filipino Adaptation: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29FvgL_WpU6EM_wmWRqZCuBkilEbIBPMaMYQg_GXvWSNA5eu-ht_Gr2bFhizOTqXLS4H1mHnhze44Oz606fkD0ctQ8FLvGkO8FbDWCnMfLV4RtPmNPLb8pe5VlCMkD1fEVGzn0yp_Ys1iAegLUAHsDmSUoDy9vHKNwVIjx6HqwFwanf3Yv-J6wLCwMns/s1350/pride%20plays.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29FvgL_WpU6EM_wmWRqZCuBkilEbIBPMaMYQg_GXvWSNA5eu-ht_Gr2bFhizOTqXLS4H1mHnhze44Oz606fkD0ctQ8FLvGkO8FbDWCnMfLV4RtPmNPLb8pe5VlCMkD1fEVGzn0yp_Ys1iAegLUAHsDmSUoDy9vHKNwVIjx6HqwFwanf3Yv-J6wLCwMns/w256-h320/pride%20plays.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div>Best: <b><span style="color: red;">L</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red;"><b>ARO</b> </span>(Barefoot)</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Writer: Floy Quintos</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Director: John Mark Yap</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A Call Boy was accosted by a Policeman, who later met a Drag Queen, who later met a User, who later met a random online Lover, who went home to his Ideal, who then met up with a Student, who then confessed to a cousin Writer, who then interviewed a Model, who then met his Philosopher boss, who later hired a Call Boy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Other Notable Productions: </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Ardor" (Tanghalang Ateneo)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Nekropolis" (Tanghalang Pilipino)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Notable Performances: </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Gio Gahol, Al Gatmaitan and Jojo Cayabyab ("Laro"), Jon Santos ("Bawa't Bonggang Bagay" - Filipino translation of "Every Brilliant Thing")</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Memorable Tech Aspects:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Direction and lighting design of "Laro."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">IV. NON-FILIPINO PLAYS:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wSO130NsBcVq4oSgtqThW0iOloYF87tzOuefmhpBmfHqMRdo7sWkFrSMQZ3BcXUlhePQcyJfvdVUkKclu1s0bQuPLEf-dqfcaGNq8zMt1UTaVVVPreLfURhlKp9bXTHwYdAzky28pky1krwbSQzaNaT8C-Spyy2ALu4_2mOBRRg_RUHvHjcWHABluEo/s2048/red%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wSO130NsBcVq4oSgtqThW0iOloYF87tzOuefmhpBmfHqMRdo7sWkFrSMQZ3BcXUlhePQcyJfvdVUkKclu1s0bQuPLEf-dqfcaGNq8zMt1UTaVVVPreLfURhlKp9bXTHwYdAzky28pky1krwbSQzaNaT8C-Spyy2ALu4_2mOBRRg_RUHvHjcWHABluEo/w226-h320/red%202023.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Best: <b><span style="color: red;">RED</span></b> (The Necessary Theater)</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Writer: John Logan</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Director: Bart Guingona</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1958, abstract expressionistic artist Mark Rothko had just signed a contract to paint murals for the walls of the swanky Four Seasons Restaurant in the Seagram's Building. Because of the extensive scope of this job, he hired a young aspiring artist Ken (JC Santos) to be his work assistant at his studio in New York City. While working on the project for two years, the two discuss and argue about their clashing philosophies about art and legacy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Other Notable Productions: </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Lungs" (Sandbox)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Notable Performances:</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Bart Guingona and JC Santos ("Red"), Reb Atadero and Sab Jose ("Lungs")</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Memorable Tech Aspects:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Direction, set design and musical score of "Red"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-64353102290986948062023-11-10T02:16:00.008-08:002023-11-10T18:51:30.130-08:00Review of TABING-ILOG THE MUSICAL (2023): Hassles at the Homecoming<p><span style="font-family: arial;">November 10, 2023</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH73Zcv_Mc4orh_sJKTW9m-xu0JkmUV-dsrUAIvSHcCwGc6Ie6LjfPEh_gmak5tlf81PCtG4PLRUXHE7nlEiEIzQuiTwapA8I9wgNavJSDJSPjeoD-LuGEfzRew6Leqc7HqvCaTbVPBFm0IhiSwi2yBvUxjWRUKqR71AgYOhM-zBx7CyiN6lv1QA5ICjY/s1350/tabing%20ilog%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH73Zcv_Mc4orh_sJKTW9m-xu0JkmUV-dsrUAIvSHcCwGc6Ie6LjfPEh_gmak5tlf81PCtG4PLRUXHE7nlEiEIzQuiTwapA8I9wgNavJSDJSPjeoD-LuGEfzRew6Leqc7HqvCaTbVPBFm0IhiSwi2yBvUxjWRUKqR71AgYOhM-zBx7CyiN6lv1QA5ICjY/w320-h400/tabing%20ilog%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After their high school graduation, a group of friends from San Juan E got separated as they pursued their respective courses in different colleges. It was only four years later at the funeral of their favorite homeroom teacher, Ma'am Ciriaca, that they got together again at their favorite riverside spot where they played as children. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Rovic (Akira Morishita) was the boyfriend of Eds, and was already very close with her parents, but he seems to be distracted by his cellphone lately. Eds (Sheena Belarmino) was studying to become a teacher, but her mother had other plans in mind. James (Jordan Andrews) could not get along with his mother, who kept on nagging at him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Badong (Jude Servilla), who still had a problem with his English, was going for a career in local politics. Fonzy (Vino Mabalot) was dealing with his depression, made worse by the promiscuous reputation of his bisexual sister Corrinne (Miah Canton), and the avoidance of his New Age devotee ex-girlfriend George (Kiara Takahashi).</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6NsIl0ifnqkXIWn8uyjprU_MDLJVQAaIllTGvi4EgMpFPv99Ct4v5GFI6yuvWEFSt5Gaul6OFzTVIrDSUgzXpSKmwn-1vKsxnXd4vgqpaYS6qP-tRD536JJC3D9YQmprA0OecY9hKni5GIwKGAQjcIj_Jau1VQ-LDrGs0mVPE2H-gNA0FK71EqUFIEc/s4000/20231109_202237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6NsIl0ifnqkXIWn8uyjprU_MDLJVQAaIllTGvi4EgMpFPv99Ct4v5GFI6yuvWEFSt5Gaul6OFzTVIrDSUgzXpSKmwn-1vKsxnXd4vgqpaYS6qP-tRD536JJC3D9YQmprA0OecY9hKni5GIwKGAQjcIj_Jau1VQ-LDrGs0mVPE2H-gNA0FK71EqUFIEc/w300-h400/20231109_202237.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The reunited gang takes their first selfie together.</div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the 1990s, there was a very popular ABS-CBN teen drama series called "Tabing-Ilog" (likely based on the American TV series of the same genre "Dawson's Creek"). The characters' names in the play were the original character names from the TV series. Rovic was John Lloyd Cruz. Eds was Kaye Abad. James was Patrick Garcia. Badong was Paolo Contis. Fonzy was Baron Geisler. Corrine was Desiree del Valle. George was Jodie Sta. Maria. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In March 2020, a musical version of "Tabing-Ilog" was produced as the maiden project of Teatro Kapamilya, staged at the Dolphy Theater. It was directed by Topper Fabregas, witha book by Jade Castro, and music and songs by Vincent de Jesus. Unfortunately, within a week of its opening, the pandemic lockdown was enforced and cut the run short before it gathered any steam. My review of that original show is posted </span><a href="https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2020/03/review-of-kapamilya-theaters-tabing.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This year, Teatro Kapamilya revived the project in cooperation with PETA. It now has a new director Phil Noble, a new book by Eljay Castro Deldoc, and new songs also by Vincent de Jesus. This new show was focused mainly on the young people and their relationships -- about speaking up, mental health, platonic friendship and LGBT issues. To be updated with current topics, a subplot about dummy social media accounts was also included.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16KkjuIktcKNjHvZ8De1HFD8FVD2IwLEfOlAAbxMrUMS6wv599wVCmwgScnb_bsRV0rZzpiyZVnIrd2r1hEtfXZ3txDx_BblTKOxfzdoa1t2X8Q8vbf-QM04r9e2DwvTf_ndilexiSzI6VK6EZBMj8uprkCd__o5NoLOCfFAmmj3JPlzIRkzNjrSrWys/s4000/20231109_220447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16KkjuIktcKNjHvZ8De1HFD8FVD2IwLEfOlAAbxMrUMS6wv599wVCmwgScnb_bsRV0rZzpiyZVnIrd2r1hEtfXZ3txDx_BblTKOxfzdoa1t2X8Q8vbf-QM04r9e2DwvTf_ndilexiSzI6VK6EZBMj8uprkCd__o5NoLOCfFAmmj3JPlzIRkzNjrSrWys/w300-h400/20231109_220447.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eds with her parents, Rovic with his grandmother</div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The highlight of Ohm David's set was one huge tree with a makeshift ladder, benches, and platforms, surrounded by a ring-like stage representing the river. The effect of flowing water was done through lighting effects. Of course, the trademark wheel swing was hanging from one of the bigger branches. The backdrop represented scraps of paper from high school student's notebook on which were scribblings and doodles. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There was also a fun interactive element introduced in this show. You can scan the QR code in posters outside the auditorium to join the chat group of the gang onstage. Whenever they send or receive group messages, you will also receive them, so you will feel in the loop. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Eds' father Panyong (Red Nuestro) was still there, and this time around, his wife Azon (Neomi Gonzales) was still around. Rovic's grandmother Juling (Joann Co) likewise made a comeback. However, these veteran stage actors only stuck with one character this time. This was unlike the previous staging, when these supporting actors had multiple minor roles. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There were also the three owners of a neighborhood cafe called "Coffee-ratiba." Collectively called "Maritres," they were: Anchang (Teetin Villanueva), Toots (Vyen Villanueva) and Meow (Lance Reblando). It was not entirely clear what their relationship to the main characters were, but I assumed they were older neighborhood friends of the gang. A new LGBT character was introduced in the person of James' gay college classmate, Andoy (Benedix Ramos). </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevurt9K8Qd22KQ079vz2Jy3Dob4iVHwPvCebw_LHIYhvhDTyhc8m7NpAiuoeTH4c685kWO7KxAtiII2htcrYPQjvqJdMbmzMTFStLvQWKJmMLFZ4RrQTeVYCUP8zOhA2BZXiyBWfXktP91p__UscpSdV61pbKVXmsXJjvzh_NCqWjoq8YpunOJ2PciO4/s2940/20231109_223459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2940" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevurt9K8Qd22KQ079vz2Jy3Dob4iVHwPvCebw_LHIYhvhDTyhc8m7NpAiuoeTH4c685kWO7KxAtiII2htcrYPQjvqJdMbmzMTFStLvQWKJmMLFZ4RrQTeVYCUP8zOhA2BZXiyBWfXktP91p__UscpSdV61pbKVXmsXJjvzh_NCqWjoq8YpunOJ2PciO4/w261-h400/20231109_223459.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Cast Takes Its Curtain Call</div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The acting and singing of the neophyte cast were very promising, and will improve more during the run of this show. In the acting front, Vino Mabalot was heartbreaking in Fonzy's moment of dark despair. For singing, Miah Canton stood out, belting Corrinne's songs out of the park. Morishita, Belarmino, and Takahashi also shone in their solo songs. The experience and singing prowess of stage veterans Nuestro, Gonzales, Villanueva and Reblando were undeniable. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There are several combination of actors expected, promising a new feel for the show every time. Alternating as Rovic are JL Toreliza and Benedix Ramos.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Alternating as Eds are </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Jhoanna Robles and Vivoree Esclito. Alternating as James is </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Kobie Brown.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Alternating as Badong is Earvin Estioko. Alternating as Fonzie is Drei Sugay. Alternating as Corrinne is Anji Salvacion. Alternating as George are </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Andi Abaya and Chaye Mogg. Alternating as Andoy is Omar Udin.</span></p><p>**********</p><p>Under the leadership of stage director Phil Noble, the artistic team of "Tabing-Ilog the Musical 2023" is composed of writer Eljay Deldoc, composer and musical director Vincent de Jesus, choreographer Stephen Viñas, set designer Ohm David, costume designer Tata Tuviera, lighting designer David Esguerra and video designer Bene Manaois. </p><p>Show runs from November 10 to December 17, 2023 at the PETA Theater Center. Showtimes: Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Ticket can be purchased online on KTX. Prices: P2000 for Orchestra Center and Balcony Center and P1800 for Orchestra Side. </p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-10966356157258897412023-10-28T19:20:00.017-07:002023-10-30T03:08:16.860-07:00Review of PSF's HERO-Z: Patriotic Parallels<div class="separator"><span style="font-family: arial;">October 28, 2023</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ0ZblYLvS6v_Ff6V0j4Q5hBOSux-VxYZ2xeIGP8QdK1KFKOAsXpIeNnZvAEVLUT3gVyJZZ3vtsVFCKlzkdg91tqL88erRSstwvTWN8yQ2mMZKWaD4k__YN9j6sK6nFWnJtdqZUvwEOMDGD19LHECz09sHN85CWNwF4tsE1TcBfz4CxTVhylY2DD-96c/s1376/hero%20z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ0ZblYLvS6v_Ff6V0j4Q5hBOSux-VxYZ2xeIGP8QdK1KFKOAsXpIeNnZvAEVLUT3gVyJZZ3vtsVFCKlzkdg91tqL88erRSstwvTWN8yQ2mMZKWaD4k__YN9j6sK6nFWnJtdqZUvwEOMDGD19LHECz09sHN85CWNwF4tsE1TcBfz4CxTVhylY2DD-96c/w314-h400/hero%20z.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">100 years into the future, a country called Town-Z is ruled by corrupt dictator Boss Tsip (JP Lopez) and his wife (OJ Arci). Town-Z was hit by a dangerous virus that turned infected people into zombies. The residents of Town-Z were demanding relief goods as Boss Tsip ordered a lockdown, allegedly to curtail the spread of the virus. In reality, this virus had been invented by scientists under instructions from Boss Tsip with the aim of eradicating the poor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Four friends who lived in Town-Z -- Andy (Vince Tanada), Jayriz (Johnrey Rivas), Kudz (Gerald Magallanes) and Pol (Fidel Redado) -- decided to lead their neighbors in their demand for food and supplies, as well as equality and justice. When labor leader Ding Silang (Chris Lim) was captured and executed even before he did anything, his wife Ella (Adelle Ibarrientos) boldly took over his cause, with the help of elderly mentor Tata Selo (Chin Ortega).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcS7Jf57Hs2pUg9_Z3U0CRDZfoTKT8qKjOD18iAfYF4AzvG1RHVnTPa70LPDno0RVTftTqwqllovoeChUHtcfKmRXvl4W44RCvMTnG8JCrIuKxVvkr4jxBlVJxeFeTVhP-cHlyaaLF2ycQnP2AmwEgSjieiP7Q1mu9-nrIBiuSN-ZHRuOwreUr9HTHRg/s4000/20231028_203552.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcS7Jf57Hs2pUg9_Z3U0CRDZfoTKT8qKjOD18iAfYF4AzvG1RHVnTPa70LPDno0RVTftTqwqllovoeChUHtcfKmRXvl4W44RCvMTnG8JCrIuKxVvkr4jxBlVJxeFeTVhP-cHlyaaLF2ycQnP2AmwEgSjieiP7Q1mu9-nrIBiuSN-ZHRuOwreUr9HTHRg/s320/20231028_203552.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clockwise: Vince Tanada (Andy), Gerald Magallanes (Kudz), </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Johnrey Rivas (Jayriz) and Fidel Redado (Pol)</div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tanada gave his four central characters a love interest. Randy Andy had flirty rag seller Aya (Vean Olmedo), with whom he can trade naughty jokes. Jayriz had his one true love Lei Nora (Renee Escurel), whom her mother wanted to marry off with someone else. Kudz had Asti (Yvonne Ensomo), the feisty daughter of the local imam. As for Pol, Tanada snuck in a BL reference, letting him fall for his guard Emil (Awin Valencia).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The main antagonists were a husband-and-wife tag-team of political corruption and excess, the historical reference of their identities was not exactly well-hidden. There were even little dips into current events, which audiences easily caught. Lopez and Arci played the notorious Tsips with sinister glee. Their main henchman was an intimidating goon sporting a multi-spiked mohawk named Kuhol, energetically played by Rotsen Etolle. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfEBX77f174A2C5_5HkYWRV6UOnmdrUBxghLS3vJaUFcCQUssP8y2viEysC9luk68GQrFJ_d6VQYoj0Uqk7S_4tMdkGm3NyM3kCyTplHJZfqdB1aYgQVGW-GwuP2eDklyC4YLl5G6vpkOoxeHIqSwzf6MV2-dNXXtuZIeZ_bqwAdm3wpYFTJEFovOt1U/s4000/20231028_203846.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfEBX77f174A2C5_5HkYWRV6UOnmdrUBxghLS3vJaUFcCQUssP8y2viEysC9luk68GQrFJ_d6VQYoj0Uqk7S_4tMdkGm3NyM3kCyTplHJZfqdB1aYgQVGW-GwuP2eDklyC4YLl5G6vpkOoxeHIqSwzf6MV2-dNXXtuZIeZ_bqwAdm3wpYFTJEFovOt1U/s320/20231028_203846.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">JP Lopez and OJ Arci (Boss and Madame Tsip)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">The material of Tanada's musicals over the years had often been culled from the pages of Philippine history. The stories of Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio had been tackled several times before in his previous shows, and again this one. Jayriz's storyline was quite faithful to Rizal's history -- his further studies in Europe, accusations for his alleged treachery, his advocacy for education as the best solution and his execution by firing squad.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">However, for the other heroes, the parallels can be confusing. While true to Andres Bonifacio's advocacy for revolution, Andy repeatedly called himself dimwitted and implied that he was illiterate -- which the real Bonifacio was not. Kudz was there to represent for the Moslem sector, but not much was told about the real Sultan Kudarat, who was 200 years older than the other three. The absence of a quotable quote from him was even a punchline. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6dPRgRf6eISRlPzaB4laVF5v2vGxELX3ZqMAkfki6KbuSpaHFJ2_qQgREwdNWynwUZ9J7zsfpHoB0woOJ6wTigjLqrYdX7bVcaiXgpIufHQTcjAyXaYxpF9ErI16eAaFxZ1qNhumtO-cQxsX3OaCWDhmf8dgGuxQ_jDTftBq8cDXDltAavlJ5r5kVRY/s4000/20231028_203913.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6dPRgRf6eISRlPzaB4laVF5v2vGxELX3ZqMAkfki6KbuSpaHFJ2_qQgREwdNWynwUZ9J7zsfpHoB0woOJ6wTigjLqrYdX7bVcaiXgpIufHQTcjAyXaYxpF9ErI16eAaFxZ1qNhumtO-cQxsX3OaCWDhmf8dgGuxQ_jDTftBq8cDXDltAavlJ5r5kVRY/s320/20231028_203913.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Renee Escurel (Lei), Vean Olmedo (Aya) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and Yvonne Ensomo (Asti)</div></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Lest they misunderstand, younger viewers should be guided by their elders that the story of Pol here should not be taken as a historically-accurate retelling of Apolinario Mabini's life and heroism. Pol was portrayed here not only as a gay man, but also as HIV-positive, which later led to him being wheelchair-bound. Also, Mabini never wrote for La Solidaridad, but Pol wore its name on his shirt and held up a copy of the paper at the finale.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Other heroes of the Philippine Revolution against Spain were also included in the story, like Diego and Gabriela Silang (in the characters of Ding and Ella Silang), and Melchora Aquino (gender-swapped in the character of Tata Selo). The martyrdom of Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were mirrored in a scene about the senseless execution of three priests, Fathers Gumabao (Lloyd Relatado), Borromeo (Renz Saavedra) and Zaragoza (Jason Chan). </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaXx4H5_EOMRftFAwu0lR4WzkqnVEMx8JFq4Br16Gar-aEuSEnloTd4kJqcHKYq1mnB_IGnfKftj7aCbj41CYzXg5pDNsyVUqa34NeV4Uoj55coLMiFcb8OPYnaRDN49Jzhp0LD_MFlkKRTTNVRhvSqaXCHDW3mw1FQn-04bZ4JCKtgfvUwCYD85-NgI/s4000/20231028_204200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaXx4H5_EOMRftFAwu0lR4WzkqnVEMx8JFq4Br16Gar-aEuSEnloTd4kJqcHKYq1mnB_IGnfKftj7aCbj41CYzXg5pDNsyVUqa34NeV4Uoj55coLMiFcb8OPYnaRDN49Jzhp0LD_MFlkKRTTNVRhvSqaXCHDW3mw1FQn-04bZ4JCKtgfvUwCYD85-NgI/s320/20231028_204200.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The whole cast at the curtain call</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Anyhow, Hero-Z still possessed the same energy and humor that made Tanada's musicals a hit with the high school and college crowd it targets. The acting, particularly Tanada and Rivas, was as over-the-top as ever, as young people liked it. Their costumes were all crazy colorful, outrageous and attention-getting. The zombies looked ghoulish and grotesque, but Jayriz's cool antidote-machine in action was something you've got to see to believe. Pipo Cifra's rousing songs pushed the belting powers of the singers to their limits, and they nail them.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Like many PSF musicals in the past, the grand finale of this entertaining 2-hour show (no intermission) was again a fervent flag-waving call for revolution. This ending was historically-appropriate for shows like "Bonifacio: Isang Sarswela" (2014), "Katips" (2016) or "Supremo Redux" (2018). For this play with a futuristic setting, it reminds Generation Z that, as there will always be politicians who will try to oppress them, they need to strive to educate themselves, and be ready to fight back if ever the direness of the situation calls for it. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-12642316670644030352023-10-15T06:59:00.009-07:002023-10-16T01:48:28.875-07:00Rep: Review of SNOW WHITE AND THE PRINCE: Virtue Vs. Vanity<p><span style="font-family: arial;">October 15, 2023</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AA-pDiA0MOufdjOtc1DOtCh5dR_KtIqp22msUKi29Ih8iA7oTTfLSJ0rV_RHbRU9IDSsOLBKqFHFn6Yi4adFUJ2jyP4jCJvNTTCj4s1xO9PYen5vj-rT1j0r2AOb45YZn0_IaNBT3o5M7lOXcclcwBEBIwsyNWH795bH8nVB9qhQR0_eh7cSwgybloA/s2048/snow%20white%20and%20the%20prince.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AA-pDiA0MOufdjOtc1DOtCh5dR_KtIqp22msUKi29Ih8iA7oTTfLSJ0rV_RHbRU9IDSsOLBKqFHFn6Yi4adFUJ2jyP4jCJvNTTCj4s1xO9PYen5vj-rT1j0r2AOb45YZn0_IaNBT3o5M7lOXcclcwBEBIwsyNWH795bH8nVB9qhQR0_eh7cSwgybloA/w300-h400/snow%20white%20and%20the%20prince.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The story of Snow White was written by the Brothers Grimm, and published in their collection of German fairy tales in the year 1812. However when Walt Disney released his full-length animated classic "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" in 1939, this maiden whose "skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood and hair as black as ebony" became a beloved character for children all over the world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The truthful magic mirror revealed that to the vain Queen that her step-daughter Snow White is the fairest woman in the kingdom. To escape the Queen's plot to kill her, Snow White ran off into the woods where she sought shelter in the house of seven dwarves. The Queen disguised as an old peasant and put Snow White into an enchanted sleep with a magic apple. A Prince woke her up with true love's first kiss.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This stage musical version of the Snow White fairy tale is current production of the Repertory Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA), now on its 31st year as the children's theater arm of Repertory Philippines. It is also the only production Rep mounted this year. The delightful book, music & lyrics were </span><span style="font-family: arial;">by Janet Yates Vogt and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark Friedman, the same team behind another hit children's play RTYA staged in 2018, "Rapunzel! Rapunzel!" (<a href="https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2018/10/review-of-reps-rapunzel-rapunzel-hairy.html" target="_blank"><b>MY REVIEW</b></a>). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">With their rhyming lines and lyrics keyed for younger audiences, Vogt and Friedman made some major tweaks to the familiar story of the Disney classic. Perhaps to address the controversial issue of the Prince randomly planting a kiss of an unconscious Snow White without her consent, it was shown here that they've met in a ball and were actually falling in love at first sight with each other even before that kiss. After Snow White was revived, there was an additional scene where the heroes and the evil Queen have a showdown. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Several aspects of that 2018 production were also found in this new show. The director is still RTYA's founder Ms. Joy Virata. The very colorful and fanciful costumes were also designed by Raven Ong. The dramatic lighting design was still by John Batalla. New members of the artistic team were: Stephen Vinas for the choreography (which went from ballet to tap), and London-based Kayla Teodoro for the set design (from the pastel-colored forest to the cute dollhouse-like dwarves' cottage). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the "Rapunzel" show I watched, the antagonist Lady Zaza was played with glee by Carla Guevara-Laforteza. This time around I again catch Laforteza playing the evil Queen. She had a short bob hairstyle and severe make-up so I did not recognize her at first. However, she certainly knew how to work this villainous role for the kids in the audience. She could be dark and scary, yet balanced with a tongue-in-cheek delivery of her lines and wicked laughter. (Pinky Marquez and Julia Serad alternate as Queen.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Jillian Ita-as still looked like a pre-teen when I first saw and heard her sing a "Frozen" song on the CCP stage in "Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time" in 2014 (<a href="https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2014/11/recap-of-disney-in-concert-tale-as-old.html" target="_blank"><b>MY REVIEW</b></a>). Now almost ten years later, she is playing the title role in a Rep production. Her diminutive height may make her look much, much younger than her actual age, but her cherubic face, natural charisma and crystal-clear singing made her a good fit as pure-hearted Snow White. (Kiara Dario, Ashlee Factor a.k.a. Pappel, and Fil-Am talent Anyah alternate as Snow White.) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Neo Rivera first caught attention of theater critics when he took on the challenging title role in the 2022 restaging of Trumpets' "Joseph the Dreamer". Now, he is taking on the role of the Prince Alexander Emmanuel Heinrich Nicholas Philippe Augustus, and he brings to the role a lovesick charm, which seemed to delight the little </span><span style="font-family: arial;">girls in the audience, especially when he went up and down the aisle stairs in certain parts of the play. (Rapah Manalo and MC dela Cruz alternate as the Prince.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sebastian Katigbak played the key role of the Magic Mirror a tad too much swish, but his solo number "I Got the Queen" with tap dancing was a showstopper. (Franco Ramos and Chino Veguillas alternate as the Mirror.) Chesko Rodriguez also played the Prince's butler Rupert a tad too prissily, so his "shipping" with Snow's more mature nursemaid (Cara Barredo) was rather unconvincing. (Diego Aranda and Dingdong Rosales alternate as Rupert. Abi Sulit and Ring Antonio alternate as the Nursemaid.) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Vogt and Friedman departed from Disney's depiction of dwarves as little people, instead going for the current norm of inclusivity, specifying that they should be of all "sizes, shapes, ages and sexes." And diverse they were in the show I watched -- stage veteran Nelson Caruncho, Ralph Oliva, Barbara Jance, 16 year-old StarMagic artist Omar Uddin, ensemble member Liway Perez, dwarf swing Czar Decena, and, most remarkably, the very cute Sophie Banaag, the youngest member of the cast -- telling us to “just call us friends” instead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">However, the definition and image of how "dwarves" should look like are simply too deeply ingrained in us, so it may take some time for kids and parents to accept Vogt and Friedman's definition, despite their </span><span style="font-family: arial;">noble intention. In fact, I thought the two actors who played the palace guards in that show I watched looked more like dwarves than the actual "dwarves." (Also alternating as Dwarves are Kenny Isidro, Jay Barrameda, Basti Santos, Reese dela Vega Iso, Tiago Santos, and Mica Fajardo.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Watching this hour and a half (with an intermission) was a rollicking fun time, especially with the kids in the audience all engaged and interacting with the colorful and wacky characters and their silly antics. It was heartening to hear the excited chatter and laughter of future theater lovers, which is certainly always an additional bonus when we watched these delightful RTYA productions over the years since 1992.</span></p><div>******</div><div><br /></div><div>"SNOW WHITE AND THE PRINCE" runs weekends from September 16 to December 17, 2023 at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1 in Makati City. Tickets can be booked at the Ticket2Me or Ticketworld websites, with prices ranging from P2000 (orchestra center) to P800 (balcony). </div><div><br /></div><div>Greenbelt 1 is scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt by January 2024, so this will be the final production staged at Onstage. (RTYA's first play at Onstage was "Beauty and the Beast" in 2003.) In the meantime, the upcoming 2024 season of REP (with four exciting productions) will be staged at the RCBC Theater.</div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-272247185976209912023-10-04T08:00:00.006-07:002023-10-04T20:04:53.486-07:00Harlequin: Review of HALIMAW: Mythic Metaphors<p>October 3, 2023</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0QsiXfmRDc6cHE45dk9lk0AI9TLRP-vwXKXwmx21Cdq1fUyaWkmZsugzaiAlOySBNjj3w8N2M23JGPzdwDj3NFB11rKLzM5y4Ep9VvfyqjT3L8DAHBtwZeX4reWzhLw_15KxJDIHGoDPYbE4xMqYKjZ6XEZN0JMO66NvqXYgxFt-Ir2q4NU9uJpouOo/s900/halimaw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0QsiXfmRDc6cHE45dk9lk0AI9TLRP-vwXKXwmx21Cdq1fUyaWkmZsugzaiAlOySBNjj3w8N2M23JGPzdwDj3NFB11rKLzM5y4Ep9VvfyqjT3L8DAHBtwZeX4reWzhLw_15KxJDIHGoDPYbE4xMqYKjZ6XEZN0JMO66NvqXYgxFt-Ir2q4NU9uJpouOo/w320-h400/halimaw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The current King of the Philippines (Bene Manaois) was a sadistic tyrant who cut off the heads of people who went against his wishes. One day, his three daughters, all named Maria (Andrea Mendoza, Keanna Encarnacion, Reina Tejada), went missing. A lowly, dim-witted janitor at the palace, Alberto (Noel Comia, Jr.) took it upon himself to track the princesses down and rescue them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">With magical items he "borrowed" from characters of local myth, Alberto went on his quest accompanied by twin brothers, the Juans (Joaquin Naguit, Gian Torres). The boys located and released the three Marias from the captivity of three monsters -- the flamboyant Bb. Sirena (Vinas Deluxe), the old-fashioned Gng. Purista (Murline Uddin) and the vicious three-headed G. Dragon (Huse Timbungco).</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4XwD-76AqyjTVtirBrojzoKE8xK9-Dap7w8cg_f_pqMeC5qrOQ7WQ8cDjoXa4FtpceNML31zQpn5hpNoNdYlRrPxYTU7Vr3OtU87yTA68D-FJ2L9mUSex7IbfedGNu3hIESakIClaUM2GcQyB_tgGdzLgjK-7nfg0Gpztr1-niXmUUfsjH8KUjfPRcU/s4000/20231002_162710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4XwD-76AqyjTVtirBrojzoKE8xK9-Dap7w8cg_f_pqMeC5qrOQ7WQ8cDjoXa4FtpceNML31zQpn5hpNoNdYlRrPxYTU7Vr3OtU87yTA68D-FJ2L9mUSex7IbfedGNu3hIESakIClaUM2GcQyB_tgGdzLgjK-7nfg0Gpztr1-niXmUUfsjH8KUjfPRcU/w300-h400/20231002_162710.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alberto (Noel Comia, Jr.) and Maria 1 (Andrea Mendoza)</div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The original material by Isagani R. Cruz was a zarzuela first staged in 1971. Noted theater stalwarts from PETA -- stage director Raffy Tejada, musical director Vince Lim, and choreographer Carlon Matobato -- have updated it into a pop-rap musical-comedy to appeal to the Gen Z/ Gen A audience. This current incarnation runs for </span><span style="font-family: arial;">almost three hours, with a 10-minute intermission between the two acts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The setting was basically a reworking of local fantasy classic "Ibong Adarna" tropes of the Philippines as a monarchy. The current ruler was an abusive King with a harem of 11 wives. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It would be stated later in Act 2 that the government had once been a democracy, but that this monarchy seemed easier to run and more efficient for the leader. A dilemma about this issue would be tackled towards the end.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpLDY6Q9pV7_TX4qeivGLPabOFyr7kg7-4p0iJ2rmOd_2U7y1R2mmUJhOzToipgOeG5F9SCBUIGQstom3F1bJavnXUiO6fXq4mukyGpiPqEOkivJTJakz0bqF-zTDPe8CQdvzf09IBAYGqoD20Wg6FpTHL46aR6I5d7bUgf7Qf3fKIJcY5rfUoPOYO70/s4000/20231002_163415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpLDY6Q9pV7_TX4qeivGLPabOFyr7kg7-4p0iJ2rmOd_2U7y1R2mmUJhOzToipgOeG5F9SCBUIGQstom3F1bJavnXUiO6fXq4mukyGpiPqEOkivJTJakz0bqF-zTDPe8CQdvzf09IBAYGqoD20Wg6FpTHL46aR6I5d7bUgf7Qf3fKIJcY5rfUoPOYO70/w300-h400/20231002_163415.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gng. Purista (Murline Uddin), G. Dragon (Huse Timbungco) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and Bb. Sirena (Vinas Deluxe)</div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">More touches of local folklore would be shown in the forms a </span><span style="font-family: arial;">duwende, nuno sa punso, enkantada and tikbalang, whom Alberto would outwit to gain paraphernalia with supernatural powers useful for his quest. These were magic boots for instant translocation, a magic ring for instant knowledge in the form of a information genie, a magic guitar to coerce anyone to dance, and a magic hat to render him invisible. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Production designer Leeroy New's designs can be seen in both local and international productions of both film and theater. His vision for this production were ambitious given the epic scope of the story. However, budget constraints were real issues here, so the sets may not look as sturdy as they should be. Any action that took place on the second level of the stage looked precarious for the actors. With all the movement up and down the set, I trust that precautions were in place for the safety of all concerned.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib10PI7LjXxLm1UAjLedQJKqcY-FrXxDtDlqaUaTm3LLm7uupNEimvch2Ee51sej7txwWpXHEVmrvUrzu9P9brZ_Weof_m0k8U76OEtOn_bvYSw6iKhhEJqenaLQOcFipysmP3KjR6LXcwuvqhRvE6VCx29XjSqwVuKyFRKoNDW-wB4sWUntSP4kPddDM/s4000/20231002_154808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib10PI7LjXxLm1UAjLedQJKqcY-FrXxDtDlqaUaTm3LLm7uupNEimvch2Ee51sej7txwWpXHEVmrvUrzu9P9brZ_Weof_m0k8U76OEtOn_bvYSw6iKhhEJqenaLQOcFipysmP3KjR6LXcwuvqhRvE6VCx29XjSqwVuKyFRKoNDW-wB4sWUntSP4kPddDM/w300-h400/20231002_154808.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The King (Bene Manaois) and his Harem</div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Costume designer Santi Obcena gave the Sirena a shimmering green gown with a huge seashell-shaped headpiece, and tentacles which needed two assists to carry. Gng. Purista's costume was all-white satin dress embellished with water bottles at the back part, formed to look like spider legs. G. Dragon carried a giant paper-mache head at his back, while two assists carried the two other heads and the dragon's long body made from gallon water bottles painted red. In contrast, the three Marias all had drab outfits, rather ironic in my opinion. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The show I watched was the press preview held two days before the formal opening. I am not sure if the cast was entirely ready to perform in front of an audience yet at that point in time, as the acting still felt rather awkward and rough overall. The projection of voices were inconsistent so there were several lines which could not be understood clearly. The singing was not yet on point nor perfectly in unison or harmony at all in the group numbers. I do cut this show some slack as this was a student production after all. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBDm74knnUYYOXbSuBHf-p7YxFwGLvmWhsISOazhkNNNrxv0GEwYcdVz9oBr1hvZwRlDfmWZAuGSqFUNBby1o1ru8YnZYH16im82SWj1NV3hsox2GZSgJmxIo2dLgqhaqveI5mrg7iA3VVvOLojU0SPsx0xo6Rj_vcuIhGz_6NAgt_wqE819QynUjRhc/s4000/20231002_162626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBDm74knnUYYOXbSuBHf-p7YxFwGLvmWhsISOazhkNNNrxv0GEwYcdVz9oBr1hvZwRlDfmWZAuGSqFUNBby1o1ru8YnZYH16im82SWj1NV3hsox2GZSgJmxIo2dLgqhaqveI5mrg7iA3VVvOLojU0SPsx0xo6Rj_vcuIhGz_6NAgt_wqE819QynUjRhc/w300-h400/20231002_162626.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Full Ensemble</div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I believe the confidence of the actors will improve more with each show coming up, so I am not so worried about that. However, I hope the societal ills that each evil monster was supposed to represent could be more clearly pointed out and emphasized, so that their defeat would be more meaningful. In</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> a colorful humorous show like this, the visual spectacle and jokes tend to overshadow the full patriotic message, even if a sidebar about the Kian delos Santos murder and the singing of the National Anthem attempt to bring the focus back.</span></p><p>**********</p><p>"Halimaw" runs from October 4-5 (2:00 pm) and 5-7 (7:30 pm) at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium, on the fifth floor of the Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall, De La Salle University. </p><p>Purchase your tickets from these links as follows: Premium Seating, Orchestra, & Balcony 1 (<a href="https://ticket2me.net/e/38244" target="_blank">LINK</a>), Balcony 2 (<a href="https://ticket2me.net/e/38252" target="_blank">LINK</a>). Ticket prices are: P1,500 for Premium Seating, P700 for Orchestra, P500 for Balcony 1 and P350 for Balcony 2. </p><p><br /></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-38312921198883787532023-09-30T19:39:00.001-07:002023-09-30T19:45:21.790-07:00Barefoot: Review of THE LAST FIVE YEARS ( 2023): Bane of a Breakup<p><span style="font-family: arial;">October 1, 2023</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgcHJQ0q01wdiaqO4fHYb3s82S_3_41Q_ABJD1a76sACxBlnKN8SMvmKwISD39-5ntvBbUJhCdQn0Cfm6wb83tXVnbPOISOYgR_etQ70yxscDsJfk67tM8-iUnT7oLnjsdyHqRfHC2u4bHc_JTe16zD4PNtoEwESF1COMK9vpXsYooBRokFqoZllUKVQ/s1440/the%20last%20five%20years.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgcHJQ0q01wdiaqO4fHYb3s82S_3_41Q_ABJD1a76sACxBlnKN8SMvmKwISD39-5ntvBbUJhCdQn0Cfm6wb83tXVnbPOISOYgR_etQ70yxscDsJfk67tM8-iUnT7oLnjsdyHqRfHC2u4bHc_JTe16zD4PNtoEwESF1COMK9vpXsYooBRokFqoZllUKVQ/w320-h400/the%20last%20five%20years.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Jamie was a writer who just had a book out. Cathy was an aspiring actress. They were happy together and got married. However, for the next five years, circumstances kept them apart most of the time. Jamie was frequently in New York City promoting his book, getting high on his success. Cathy was left in Ohio, making the rounds of auditions, usually getting disappointed with rejections. They eventually broke up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">That last bit was not exactly a spoiler, as this whole show was all about their break-up rather than how they met. It opens with a miserable Cathy finding a break-up note from Jamie and his ring which he left behind, and she was singing "Still Hurting." Sudden shift of mood at the other end of the stage, watching an excited Jamie singing about a non-Jewish girl he was dating, whom he called his "Shiksa Goddess" -- Cathy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">From there, writer Jason Robert Brown told Cathy's story going backwards in time, while telling Jamie's story going forwards. The show essentially had its two actors singing monologues on their own sides of the stage for the majority of the time. They only got together once in the middle of the show, to sing "The Next Ten Minutes" as a duet, depicting the blissful time in their lives, when Jamie proposed to Cathy and they get married.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in 2003, this show had already been staged locally at the RCBC Plaza, starring Philippine theater royalty Audie Gemora and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, directed by Bart Guingona. I was able to see the second local staging in 2014 produced by 9 Works, staged also at the RCBC Plaza, starring Joaquin Valdes and Nikki Gil, directed by Robbie Guevara. In 2015, a film version was released, starring Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I admit that when I first watched this show in 2014, I found the non-linear telling of the story confusing, and the wordy narrative songs not very much to my liking. This time around, I am now familiar with the story and the unique storytelling style, but those long-winded songs with many obscure ethnic references, I am not exactly a fan yet still. I believe that these are the types of songs that need repeat listenings to be familiarized with.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As the lyrics were key to full appreciation of the songs, It was unfortunate that the sound system at the Power Mac Spotlight Blackbox Theater in the matinee show I watched made it difficult for me to understand the lyrics, especially the first half of the show. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I am actually not sure if the sound issue is just with me only or where I was seated. I observed that there were other people reacting to the certain lyrics with laughter in another part of the theater. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I noted in my 2014 review (<a href="https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2014/08/review-of-9-works-last-5-years.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;"><b>MY REVIEW</b></span></a>) that it was the actors who elevated the whole show experience for me, and again the same is true this time around. Real-life newly-wed husband and wife Myke Salomon and Gab Pangilinan were in a unique life situation and undeniable chemistry to be able to imbue this material with unfiltered emotions that connect with the audience, those unclear lyrics and unfamiliar references notwithstanding. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Gab Pangilinan's soaring singing voice is truly sparkling, seemingly effortless as she navigated those high notes and tricky lyrics of songs like "A Summer in Ohio" and the emotional depths of songs like "See I'm Smiling." The role of Jamie was a thankless one as he seemed to be the one who failed to make his marriage work. Nevertheless, Myke Salomon's charm still made him sympathetic. For me, his best vocal performance was in that song he sang to his sleeping mistress, "Nobody Needs to Know."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">New York City-based set designer Joey Mendoza built a long raised stage in running lengthwise when you enter the blackbox theater, with the viewers seated on either side. This stage was divided into three long sections -- two covered with faux grass, and a central aisle where a mechanized platform moved from one end to the other, ferrying the characters where the story required them to be. When you are watching an actor sing on one end, you cannot see the other end, so you will tend to look left and right during the show. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Kudos to director Topper Fabregas for his sensitive directorial style for tell this heavy depressing story. Musical director Rony Fortich expertly conducted his talented string musicians on violin, cello, bass and guitar, with Farley Asuncion on the piano.</span></p><p>*****</p><p>The Barefoot Theater Collaborative's "The Last Five Years" runs from September 29 to October 15, 2023 at the PMC Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati.</p><p><br /></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-62245106106729659952023-09-10T08:51:00.025-07:002023-09-10T15:11:49.628-07:00Recap of ANYWHERE WE SING IS HOME: The CCP's 54th Anniversary Gala<p><span style="font-family: arial;">September 10, 2023</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8qgV3qHfcULmIaiswzVTeVODlZZVrlbFVI_o5kiR0GhwIApkrszcLLR1qj1xRNBgG1-8tAGI_mTGkxGDl63j0_RTfx6rCBWzxABQza4fswI0lqiYbDrItN6kmUCtlzj-FnUSTpIIU5Yougmp0QXsY8QZyVnLYT3ve9lmVFHymXdV-zW11mYl06cw7Hs/s1350/anywhere%20we%20sing%20is%20home.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8qgV3qHfcULmIaiswzVTeVODlZZVrlbFVI_o5kiR0GhwIApkrszcLLR1qj1xRNBgG1-8tAGI_mTGkxGDl63j0_RTfx6rCBWzxABQza4fswI0lqiYbDrItN6kmUCtlzj-FnUSTpIIU5Yougmp0QXsY8QZyVnLYT3ve9lmVFHymXdV-zW11mYl06cw7Hs/w320-h400/anywhere%20we%20sing%20is%20home.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is celebrating its 54th founding anniversary this month. However, since it is currently being renovated, the whole CCP proper is not available to stage a major gala concert to be held to celebrate the milestone. Therefore this special event was instead held in the Samsung Performing Arts Center in the Ayala Circuit Makati Mall for two performances, September 9 at 8 pm and September 10 Sunday at 3 pm. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra played the music conducted by no less than by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. For each artist who sang in the show, their spiels revealed what year their first time to perform on the CCP stage was and on what production. They will then relate their own stage experiences with more personal detail with nostalgic effect. The show was directed by the ever-fabulous Floy Quintos.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Headlining the gala this year is Joanna Ampil, who was prominently in theater news lately for portraying the Engineer in the latest revival of "Ms. Saigon" in the UK. Not only that she was the first female to do so, the fact that she had played Kim before made this inspired casting even more remarkable. (Ironically, Ampil did not get to sing any song from "Ms. Saigon" in this concert, be it a Kim song nor an Engineer song.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wearing a shiny black suit and pants ensemble, Ampil</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> opened the concert by coming down a spiral flight of stairs on stage right, singing "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from "Sunset Boulevard." She followed this up with an energetic rendition of the sassy "Don't Rain on My Parade" from "Funny Girl." She then introduced the next two singers, both "Ms. Saigon" alumni abroad like her, to sing the next medley of Filipino songs with her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After singing a triumphant "Nais Ko," Ampil left the stage. Gerald Santos sang "Hahanapin Ko,"</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> followed by a visibly expecting Aicelle Santos in a white maternity gown, singing "Narito Ako." Aicelle went on to sing "What I Did for Love" from "A Chorus Line". Gerald came back on to sing "Hanggang," his winning song when he won "Pinoy Pop Superstar" 2005, which he won over Aicelle. The two ended their set with </span><span style="font-family: arial;">"Ms. Saigon" most famous duets -- "Sun & Moon" and "Last Night of the World."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ampil came back out on the stage wearing a bright green body-hugging gown with fuschia designs and a matching scarf on her head to sing "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from "Jesus Christ Superstar." Then she introduced Sheila Francisco, and they sang a slowed-down arrangement of "Happy Talk" and the ethereal "Bali Hai," both sung in "South Pacific" by Bloody Mary, a character they've both played in the UK. Francisco then took centerstage to sing a powerful, gritty and show-stopping rendition of "Some People, " a song by a character she longed to play onstage, Mama Rose of "Gypsy." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ampil returned onstage to introduce her next three younger guests, who had never performed in musical productions abroad yet -- Arman Ferrer, Reb Atadero and Gab Pangilinan (the only one of them who had not actually sung on the CCP stage yet). The four of them sang a medley of dreamy songs by Michel Legrand, including "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" and "The Summer Knows" (love theme from the film "The Summer of '42").</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Three songs composed by Ryan Cayabyab for Filipino musicals were next, so Toma Cayabyab came out to replace his father to conduct the orchestra for this segment. With her rich soprano, Pangilinan led off by singing "Magbalik Ka Na Mahal," then duetted with Ferrer in "Iisa ang Tibok," both from "Rama Hari." Ferrer then brought the house down with an impassioned "Awit ni Isagani" from "El Filibusterismo" with his robust tenor voice, then ending on an exquisite head tone key switch in his final note.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Reb Atadero returned to sing "Being Alive" from Sondheim's "Company," then gushed about his surreal experience of having Mr. C playing piano for him. He then reintroduced Ampil, who had now changed into an elegant silver evening gown. She sang two big ballads from her most iconic Broadway roles -- Fantine's "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Miserables" and Grizabella's "Memory" from "Cats." </span><span style="font-family: arial;">All her guest artists, this time dressed in glittering black, returned to the stage to join Ampil to sing Wency Cornejo's "Next in Line" as their inspirational finale, dedicated to the artists who will grace the CCP in the future.</span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-25487433853272642642023-09-03T00:58:00.008-07:002023-09-03T17:41:00.442-07:00Review of Tanghalang Ateneo's ARDOR: An Affair in Anarchy<p><span style="font-family: arial;">September 3, 2023</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXZqKTUSwGfA3BZ27Zxzn5EgU-rwTd4vBkH1M5NsjxYcCwHPtDQmrJuDdZgCrpPdjP19bTKXuJkKc6-_E3KYcwPWuTETRld1-TCmCLQRh-9C2eMY6g1uagpUxWqa0iGCBL5SS_U8TWUBSyBI8StHG2Z1v7xzyzK0Z0BvdYX4hnm06Ozo2ZK8kSNRL3Vo/s2048/ardor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXZqKTUSwGfA3BZ27Zxzn5EgU-rwTd4vBkH1M5NsjxYcCwHPtDQmrJuDdZgCrpPdjP19bTKXuJkKc6-_E3KYcwPWuTETRld1-TCmCLQRh-9C2eMY6g1uagpUxWqa0iGCBL5SS_U8TWUBSyBI8StHG2Z1v7xzyzK0Z0BvdYX4hnm06Ozo2ZK8kSNRL3Vo/w320-h400/ardor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A bomb exploded at one political rally being conducted by student activists. When their leader Astrid was hit and injured by shrapnel, she was rescued and brought to a safer place by one of her members named Z. Outside, there was the smoky confusion and anguish over the casualties was going on. Meanwhile, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Astrid and Z got carried away with the intimacy they shared and made love in spite of the pain and peril. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This was the central love affair that was born in the middle of the violent revolutionary movement threatening to oust a corrupt dictator out of his position. Astrid still worked closely with her ex-boyfriend Luther, who still co-led their movement with her. Z was taking care of his precocious </span><span style="font-family: arial;">7-year old cousin named Kali, whom people knew as an indigo child. Based on secret information she learned, Kali roused the other activists into more fiery action. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This complicated play was written and directed by Guelan Varela-Luarca. It unfolded in one tense continuous act, one hour and 40 minutes long, with several scenes in which the young cast would be running all around the stage. Opening with a scene of a young girl Kali (Teia Contreras) talking to her petticoat-wearing cat (Nicole Chua) about the cosmos, you somehow get an inkling that this would not be as straightforward as you thought. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When Kali let loose her long incendiary monologue in Act 2, it was at that moment that you be able to make sense of all the confusing dots together to that point. Still, Kali was such an over-the-top and and out-of-the-box character, as only Luarca could have created. Delicate-looking Teia Contreras really gave this character her all, even at the risk of losing her voice with her passionate orations, which required her to shout her lungs out. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyr30CYwpbwM1Pb_M883ezcjzpbZGQ8-zvtGusSIZg5JTz5yVzRjUACAtWrzR2ttSuQsgzxNLyT111mOlEf9NaZd9JHOyc4rBtFHzxD4ofiz9xuIuTMmODpNnJmlGMpMI62QZ1zVtvhL68jJIfha0YtfBczmmOKsnXqKd9VzfosXw5NQ61w3PrrXB7PM/s4000/20230902_161243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyr30CYwpbwM1Pb_M883ezcjzpbZGQ8-zvtGusSIZg5JTz5yVzRjUACAtWrzR2ttSuQsgzxNLyT111mOlEf9NaZd9JHOyc4rBtFHzxD4ofiz9xuIuTMmODpNnJmlGMpMI62QZ1zVtvhL68jJIfha0YtfBczmmOKsnXqKd9VzfosXw5NQ61w3PrrXB7PM/w300-h400/20230902_161243.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jam Binay, Zoe De Ocampo, Teia Contreras, Kagi Umpad</div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The love triangle angle of the story gave a more personal dimension, but for me it did not work, mainly because a casting choice. I do not usually comment about an actor's physical features, but in this case, Zoe de Ocampo, his acting skills notwithstanding, felt miscast as Z, mainly because of his diminutive height and build beside Jam Binay as Astrid. Astrid saying "I love you" to him never once rang true, as there was no chemistry or "kilig" at all. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">That thought-provoking scene of Z and Luther talking about their art was very well-written. Ideally, it should have come across as something like a similar scene of the two men in Celine Song's current film "Past Lives." However again, de Ocampo as Z did not look like much of a credible romantic rival, because he looked and acted too immature to match the stronger stage presence of Kagi Umpad as the jaded Luther. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Overall, all the bourgeois hypocrisies, double-dealings and double-crossings going on in student groups, rebel groups and corrupt dictatorships, and their violent consequences -- were solidly plotted. Luarca's stage tricks using actual flames, definitely raises the sense of danger in the play. By the time that scene with the "Three Little Kittens" video comes along, you are in total sympathy with Kali, even if we do not fully understand why she acted the way she did. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">*****</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Guelan Varela-Luarca's "Ardor," maiden production of Tanghalang Ateneo's 45th season with the theme "Pag-ibig at Himagsikan," runs at the Rizal Mini-Theater, Faber Hall, Ateneo de Manila University, from August 26 to September 9, 2023, 2 pm at 7 pm. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ticket prices at P500 (General Audiences), P350 (ADMU Loyola School students) and P300 (for ADMU Loyola School scholars). Buy tickets via this <a href="http://tinyurl.com/TA45ArdorTickets" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>LINK</b></span></a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Reminders: "Ardor" is rated R-13 for its mature theme and scenes of violence. It has strobe lights, smoke and flames, gunshots and explosions</span>.</p><p><br /></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-57369199710384122782023-07-16T18:03:00.002-07:002023-07-18T00:52:32.112-07:00Recap of APO HIKING SOCIETY 50 YEARS THE CONCERT<p><span style="font-family: arial;">July 16, 2023</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE-rgQMOUok7yRpVQ4RkoLAA0RrYPHj1Fibz_XO_Wore-jEsfCx3j0zZWAcvZAxxwJCz17XefX4tLRqQvkttdREZwU9g6POG7Mwi9lL4oTg0sDvREr1LOD3fSUpjeLdlYmNSm5dwT3_14U77hommWRQVldRryvncOXuiWxzHSKlJ9SoOa5Dbfr6kkjzg/s960/FB_IMG_1689467522775.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE-rgQMOUok7yRpVQ4RkoLAA0RrYPHj1Fibz_XO_Wore-jEsfCx3j0zZWAcvZAxxwJCz17XefX4tLRqQvkttdREZwU9g6POG7Mwi9lL4oTg0sDvREr1LOD3fSUpjeLdlYmNSm5dwT3_14U77hommWRQVldRryvncOXuiWxzHSKlJ9SoOa5Dbfr6kkjzg/w266-h400/FB_IMG_1689467522775.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The very first concert I had ever seen was an Apo Hiking Society concert when I was still in high school and they performed in our school. That was 40 years ago, and tonight, they are already celebrating their golden year as an musical act. Like me, the whole Hyundai Hall of Arete in Ateneo was abuzz with excitement. At 8 pm, t</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he concert began with an overture of familiar Apo Hiking Society tunes played by musical director Bond Samson and the 50 Years band, while a humorous history of the band was being flashed on the big screen onstage. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Boboy Garovillo and Jim Paredes made their entrance on wheelchairs, pushed by nurses wearing bunny suits. Their first song was an upbeat new song about their 50 years together. Halfway though the song, Boboy and Jim changed into black Chinese-collared shirts with gold baybayin characters embroidered on the left side than meant "limampu" or "fifty. Meanwhile their "nurses" had stripped off their PPDs and were gyrating in skimpy tops and shorts. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFFoJbKF8RHiZ6u_IZUCQXuQ-GBm0kL0eA-lUgRdvdN6oU1e0ZB3UD4_XGmBsFh72rSffdPWg7inCV23zr30KDM3Eg5kY4vDHEBu_F-KHwwLtUylbZJ267mpTbLd80JqymO3xx6LrWDBQhx2MFmayFXAEHc1wTU1dHSycu9xhgLPjUXYlfu6h27nuRI0/s4000/20230716_200808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFFoJbKF8RHiZ6u_IZUCQXuQ-GBm0kL0eA-lUgRdvdN6oU1e0ZB3UD4_XGmBsFh72rSffdPWg7inCV23zr30KDM3Eg5kY4vDHEBu_F-KHwwLtUylbZJ267mpTbLd80JqymO3xx6LrWDBQhx2MFmayFXAEHc1wTU1dHSycu9xhgLPjUXYlfu6h27nuRI0/s320/20230716_200808.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first hit song they sang was <span style="color: red;"><b>"Ewan"</b></span> followed by <span style="color: red;"><b>"Love is for Singing"</b></span>. Then they stepped up the energy and sang the theme song of their first movie <b><span style="color: red;">"Blue Jeans,"</span></b> letting the audience sing the "Whoo!" part. After this, they performed their first comedy song number, singing classic songs like "Yesterday" and "Do, Re, Mi" with all the skipping, pitch changes and various other sound effects of a scratched up vinyl record. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Boboy then sang a song he wrote entitled <b><span style="color: red;">"Paano"</span></b> which they said was their last major hit, and this was all of 15 years ago. The next song was <b><span style="color: red;">"Yakap sa Dilim"</span></b> which they naughtily branded as an "immoral" song. The guy who played the sax solo nailed his featured part and the audience appreciated that. This was followed by the novelty pop song <b><span style="color: red;">"Syotang Pa-Class,"</span></b> with sexy back-up dancers and the giggling care of the female backup singer Camille Johnson.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJZCul0PUSqyiR_rea41cSKVLIZ9wWyUm1ZJ5Akk26GSc3CTCpaNBz7thmUR4TrBKuheZukgxa0WK_D9_vymCxht3wErKjOsflLEFYN4YqwoJgOTLx22oH8oxHujppfxdtuRvy-Zs84xp0DKm1I4U2B0qixIArXJQ8os24VG6yaI66vYdeT_6oEHm1XM/s4000/20230716_202412.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJZCul0PUSqyiR_rea41cSKVLIZ9wWyUm1ZJ5Akk26GSc3CTCpaNBz7thmUR4TrBKuheZukgxa0WK_D9_vymCxht3wErKjOsflLEFYN4YqwoJgOTLx22oH8oxHujppfxdtuRvy-Zs84xp0DKm1I4U2B0qixIArXJQ8os24VG6yaI66vYdeT_6oEHm1XM/s320/20230716_202412.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Jim introduced their next song which was from their "latest" album, which they then told us was released 13 years ago. This was "Boboy, Jim and Danny" which was the 27th album they had recorded. The song was a ballad entitled <b><span style="color: red;">"Giliw,"</span></b> which Jim submitted to the soundtrack of a movie starring Regine Velasquez and Robin Padilla. Even if it was the first time many of us heard it, we still clapped and cheered.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The next three numbers were sung with a guest music ministry choir of Ateneo students called Hangad. They backed the Apo up when they sang<b><span style="color: red;"> "Wala Nang Hahanapin,"</span></b> a song they've dedicated to wives. When Boboy and Jim left the stage for a break, Hangad sang an Apo song (said to be inspired by a Pan-Am commercial) called <b><span style="color: red;">"Minsan sa Buhay."</span></b> The Apo guys came back out for another comedy number -- <b><span style="color: red;">"Salawikain"</span></b> sung in operatic style.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjd31tOJQHRnSFfbUXjxJ2dre7jycSY9GMyZtNqGyNnxQJXZdpCl5euSwvJxsvtJJhL32TKlEg9qaj8Fp5tNVWoGDQcSmGjSTDXWSJVFZ9_yNzatX0LnwS9FqdX8OvpQQOy2ALGUkX03m5UneABroZUgzZQVQeW2n48BUGRMXRQYO1HyBuYwfGObAnb3o/s4000/20230716_204535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjd31tOJQHRnSFfbUXjxJ2dre7jycSY9GMyZtNqGyNnxQJXZdpCl5euSwvJxsvtJJhL32TKlEg9qaj8Fp5tNVWoGDQcSmGjSTDXWSJVFZ9_yNzatX0LnwS9FqdX8OvpQQOy2ALGUkX03m5UneABroZUgzZQVQeW2n48BUGRMXRQYO1HyBuYwfGObAnb3o/s320/20230716_204535.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With Hangad</div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When Apo sang <b><span style="color: red;">"Awit ng Barkada"</span></b> and <b><span style="color: red;">"Tuyo ng Damdamin,"</span></b> fans knew this was a tribute dedicated to their late friend and collaborator Danny Javier, who passed away last October 31, 2022. The two guys sang with Danny's voice and video on songs like <b><span style="color: red;">"One, Two, Three"</span></b> and <span style="color: red;"><b>"Batang-bata Ka Pa."</b></span> However, to sing the second verse of "Batang-bata", out came Danny's son Jobim Javier in a most touching surprise guest appearance. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They then played a video of Danny singing the last song he ever wrote, a serio-comic song about dying called <b><span style="color: red;">"Lahat Tayo"</span></b>. Despite its rather morbid lyrics, like "Lahat tayo'y mamamatay, gusto bang makisabay?" or "Sige akong mauuna, pangako susunod ka, ha? Malungkot ang nag-iisa, mas masayang kasama ka." In this new arrangement by Lorrie Illustre, Boboy and Jim comically responded with a vigorous "Ayoko pa!"</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7i0oQVajw6Rnl7GBKW5maSkZvLyEH0F_Jzj_lbT3Kxak5eQIq3UrwIbYp79wBjgj4tIKOsAVV2dVEbtCLq1L9MjnMakMK4vSSm5dfuBs-Sx4XbbZQLYnBeeU2hJx01BsQ5jxK8Lwji-9997oQtCm_5dmVBAVx6TBZLLWwpT--CXTvhAJ9Aznb7KFuVU/s4000/20230716_221103.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7i0oQVajw6Rnl7GBKW5maSkZvLyEH0F_Jzj_lbT3Kxak5eQIq3UrwIbYp79wBjgj4tIKOsAVV2dVEbtCLq1L9MjnMakMK4vSSm5dfuBs-Sx4XbbZQLYnBeeU2hJx01BsQ5jxK8Lwji-9997oQtCm_5dmVBAVx6TBZLLWwpT--CXTvhAJ9Aznb7KFuVU/s320/20230716_221103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With Jobim Javier</div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Boboy and Jim proudly shared that the first local artist to coin the word "OPM" or Original Pilipino Music was Danny Javier. From there, they went on to perform<b><span style="color: red;"> "Pip-T,"</span></b> a elaborate medley of folk songs and kundimans mashed up with foreign pop songs. Some of the notable ones are "Magtanim ay Di Biro" with EWF's "September", "Waray Waray" with Van Halen's "Jump," Diomedes Maturan's "Bulong-bulungan" with the "Voltes V" opening theme, and "Penpen de Sarapen" with the "Ting Ting Tang Tang" viral Tiktok dance craze. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They shared an anecdote about an extravagant man who hired them to deliver a Valentine morning serenade of a single song in an effort to win back his ex-wife, then sang the song itself <b><span style="color: red;">"Panalangin."</span></b> This was followed by another one of their popular love songs <b><span style="color: red;">"When I Met You."</span></b> After they they argued about the definition of "medley," they sang their "Tagalog Medley" with <b><span style="color: red;">"Lumang Tugtugin,"</span></b> <b><span style="color: red;">"Pag-Ibig,"</span></b> <b><span style="color: red;">"Araw"</span></b> and the beautiful <b><span style="color: red;">"Nakapagtataka." </span></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuWdrypeZF-pOxtPgow8PkzHVOl4JCK_yaQaoeQIdKno0ObmdqlZl939YxT8BACYj1g0N-OtIIi5A9x8PCd7x7oalSQ6NvBOBUqixVfFkf0-1hRf52MeUR8TuaFuwoqtLi81092bB9MvL9t_0JGcrsWazIylDKfqYBPUQ9zl1P78ENtAaw3sgQk2_ODk/s4000/20230716_221057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuWdrypeZF-pOxtPgow8PkzHVOl4JCK_yaQaoeQIdKno0ObmdqlZl939YxT8BACYj1g0N-OtIIi5A9x8PCd7x7oalSQ6NvBOBUqixVfFkf0-1hRf52MeUR8TuaFuwoqtLi81092bB9MvL9t_0JGcrsWazIylDKfqYBPUQ9zl1P78ENtAaw3sgQk2_ODk/s320/20230716_221057.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They could not resist to crack a political joke before singing <b><span style="color: red;">"Tanggapin Mo Kung Gusto Mo"</span></b> (from their 1996 album "Dating Alternatib") in a limbo rock rhythm. They then sang the rousing and hopeful <b><span style="color: red;">"Kung Gusto Mo, Gusto Ko Pa"</span></b> (from their 1991 album "Songbuk"), introducing their band, dancers and backup singers (one of whom was stage actor Juliene Mendoza!), which turned out to be the final song of their main set.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, the audience clamored for more. So for their encore, they obliged to return onstage and sing three more of their most popular hits <b><span style="color: red;">"Pumapatak ang Ulan,"</span></b> <b><span style="color: red;">"Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba"</span></b> and finally <b><span style="color: red;">"Show Me a Smile."</span></b> Everybody in the 900-strong audience that night was standing up, singing and swaying along up to the very last note. The rain was pouring very hard outside the Arete, but everyone's mood and energy was definitely happy and positive from their healthy dose of Apo Hiking Society music that night. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Congratulations to Boboy and Jim, as well director Leo Rialp and his crew, for the success of this concert. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-57361858977945986022023-06-22T01:28:00.002-07:002023-06-26T00:03:06.478-07:00Review of VIRGIN LABFEST 18- SET D (Muwang): Mind, Maid, March<p><span style="font-family: arial;">June 21, 2023</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgdeKVlITrKy1Dq7Kdr5vhof-pYr9FDAlzpa-AR8vTnsMWIi7650DZ2qIH6SXISBIJFc_4heosTrmV68EDoT9ibjOAAvdildqPGn_7rxwWnEphdbpamZq1e1BfeKhZrbe0iFKMxEerww9QWGbFhEn34tKlaCMOiq-YGTYa4mHoceycNWwUIPOMwe2xZU/s2000/tuyom.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgdeKVlITrKy1Dq7Kdr5vhof-pYr9FDAlzpa-AR8vTnsMWIi7650DZ2qIH6SXISBIJFc_4heosTrmV68EDoT9ibjOAAvdildqPGn_7rxwWnEphdbpamZq1e1BfeKhZrbe0iFKMxEerww9QWGbFhEn34tKlaCMOiq-YGTYa4mHoceycNWwUIPOMwe2xZU/s320/tuyom.jpg" width="256" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>1. ANG TUYOM</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Writer: M. Manalastas</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Director: Gio Potes</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">M (Jude Matthew Servilla) was a playwright cross-examining himself as he was drowning in his own loneliness. In the process, he interacted with his characters representing his younger self Batang M (Zöe De Ocampo), his mother Ma (Opaline Santos), his friend Raul (Fred Layno) and his love Elimar (Serena Magiliw).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To be fair, I came in a little late so I missed how it started. However, I never really got into the drift of this piece at all. The concept was theoretically good, but everything felt so abstract onstage. The lines were not connecting with each other. The humor was not working for me. The actors were trying to make things work, but I was not getting it. It just ended with a whimper with barely any impact to remember. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz_E0Mgvcu1b0eHUYlbQjz7gubAKXwFPHhsDe532AnByKTX53Rtyq5U8OzooAH1mBhTXpcaB_AocEOECMthpQjJuQzgYt_enEBHejfr1PVuSDsPHKp6EbEi2dWuO0XtiJnqxmqDp5dXEROclbX8x_bwGl9qY7KI1-ecwlitOVmv0MgVhALAPd7ExJmvo/s2048/hawaii%20here%20I%20come.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz_E0Mgvcu1b0eHUYlbQjz7gubAKXwFPHhsDe532AnByKTX53Rtyq5U8OzooAH1mBhTXpcaB_AocEOECMthpQjJuQzgYt_enEBHejfr1PVuSDsPHKp6EbEi2dWuO0XtiJnqxmqDp5dXEROclbX8x_bwGl9qY7KI1-ecwlitOVmv0MgVhALAPd7ExJmvo/s320/hawaii%20here%20I%20come.jpg" width="256" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>2. HAWAII, HERE WE COME</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Writer: Shenn Apillado</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Director: Mark Mirando</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As a crowd was forming outside Malacanang Palace during the final day of the ruling family, trusted aide Shirley (Madeleine Nicolas) asked her niece Angge (Sheryll Villamor Ceasico) to help her pack things for her dear Madam (Gem Padilla-Thomas). Angge came with another purpose in mind, to ask Madam's help to look for her missing son who was a political activist.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The story of this play could had more impact had it been part of Virgin Labfest 17 last year. However, since it was only staged this year, it was simply too late. The very controversial mega box-office hit film, Darryl Yap's "Maid in Malacanang" (2022) already beat it to the punch. Nicolas and Ceasico were dynamic in their banter as the lead duo. It was a pity that Padilla-Thomas's dry portrayal of the iconic Madam was not up to par, rendering the anticipation to her grand entrance a disappointment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNRJ55muXGW_BC3G6dzUPONP6v_is5974evhxeA4eHAYUK8Ia1EMhva4fsiidJcc1cNbOxPoNgmJ6O9DB2ZUHDpFWs6KsYF5flsKtbNTqfeJRN7a_X-Z9EOMAYA7prvNlScp5rAyuSYc_CzVG6pCoLuAq7pCKdk6u1HK38A3f5rUrrOOdpqxhWODvLmg/s2048/o%20donnell.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNRJ55muXGW_BC3G6dzUPONP6v_is5974evhxeA4eHAYUK8Ia1EMhva4fsiidJcc1cNbOxPoNgmJ6O9DB2ZUHDpFWs6KsYF5flsKtbNTqfeJRN7a_X-Z9EOMAYA7prvNlScp5rAyuSYc_CzVG6pCoLuAq7pCKdk6u1HK38A3f5rUrrOOdpqxhWODvLmg/s320/o%20donnell.jpg" width="226" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>3. O'DONNELL</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Writer: Jerry O'Hara</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Director: Issa Manalo Lopez</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A group of Filipino soldiers were in a field in Camp O'Donnell, where the Japanese confined prisoners of war from the fall of Bataan who had survived the death march. Tunying Isleta (Eshei Mesina) was trying his best to keep the spirits of his comrades up. Pedro Peralta (Aldo Vencilao) had dysentery. Francisco Basa (Miguel delos Santos) wanted to escape. MSgt. Melchor Bautista (Joel Garcia) had gone mad. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Like "Room 209" in Set D, this was another play that featured an all-male cast of characters who were struggling with serious issues of life and death. It was interesting that, like "Room 209," this was also directed by a female director, Issa Manalo Lopez, who was able to give the formidable material a beating heart. This was undeniably powerful, moving stuff, but the play could use some streamlining, with edits of certain repetitive lines and situations.</span></p><p><br /></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-23984584339767268672023-06-18T08:35:00.007-07:002023-06-24T00:26:49.018-07:00Restaging Reviews: RED and PRIDE PLAYS (UNICA HIJAS, LARO)<span style="font-family: arial;">June 17, 2023</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUYM7C8v277Y3l6wLopnLy7z3shUsj0I1GjD0wFHNLgU7vb4VGzjZkZoGf7SjW9mLDv2G-OEOdNc_gzOQfkHLg4PkxoOsHKCmWZ9mMiOxFk1h1PxAmMBpSEoZCYwKMVUjukhu1VLBxQJLT_jTPZHbVw7bI9cpxXu_2zObhzavo-EWtCHoo6nVE8PY/s2048/red%202023.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUYM7C8v277Y3l6wLopnLy7z3shUsj0I1GjD0wFHNLgU7vb4VGzjZkZoGf7SjW9mLDv2G-OEOdNc_gzOQfkHLg4PkxoOsHKCmWZ9mMiOxFk1h1PxAmMBpSEoZCYwKMVUjukhu1VLBxQJLT_jTPZHbVw7bI9cpxXu_2zObhzavo-EWtCHoo6nVE8PY/w283-h400/red%202023.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>RED</span> (</span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Necessary Theater)</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Writer: John Logan</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Director: Bart Guingona</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1958, abstract expressionistic artist Mark Rothko had just signed a contract to paint murals for the walls of the swanky Four Seasons Restaurant in the Seagram's Building. Because of the extensive scope of this job, he hired a young aspiring artist Ken (JC Santos) to be his work assistant at his studio in New York City. While working on the project for two years, the two discuss and argue about their clashing philosophies about art and legacy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Bart Guingona was in his element as the arrogant, temperamental Rothko, after all he had played him before 10 years ago, with Joaquin Valdez as Ken. I was not able to see this original staging. This time around, Ken is played by JC Santos, whose command of English may surprise those who only knew him by his Filipino films. This is not a play that an actor can simply just memorize his lines to portray. They need to live and breathe their characters, immerse themselves fully into their talents, knowledge and neurotic idiosyncrasies before they can pull them off.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This was a deep, multi-layered script written by John Logan, who was nominated for a Tony in 2010 in its original Broadway run. It even actually required a glossary of artistic and historical terms in its souvenir program. However, despite its formidable premise, "Red" was a truly absorbing and immersive theater experience that will make us evaluate how we see our respective "arts" (even if they did not involve paint and brushes. It will also make us reflect on your own professional principles as we grow older in our careers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">**********</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: red;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuIrpd5B8Fo_Fxn4GtLeoLbf_XBDFhgGCoZkaqPclNScppudpXez7ikeINSE94BWttxGkXGS-Jhg9OFNWhHocq7d6-HA9rDnSJccRJOROOc1CTBYauX8yMyGSwicEzYlFzG0ApXzy9x6QyYDLqmuojZtEGUAY1U99JdUEc_uA5O6U4uNuxrtmS7LA/s1350/pride%20plays.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuIrpd5B8Fo_Fxn4GtLeoLbf_XBDFhgGCoZkaqPclNScppudpXez7ikeINSE94BWttxGkXGS-Jhg9OFNWhHocq7d6-HA9rDnSJccRJOROOc1CTBYauX8yMyGSwicEzYlFzG0ApXzy9x6QyYDLqmuojZtEGUAY1U99JdUEc_uA5O6U4uNuxrtmS7LA/w320-h400/pride%20plays.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>PRIDE PLAYS</span> (</b></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">Barefoot Theater Collaborative)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Writers: Mikaela Regis, Floy Quintos</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Directors: Pat Valera, John Mark Yap</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This twin-bill of LGBTQIA+ plays has been staged by the Barefoot Theater Collaborative to celebrate Pride Month. The first feature "Unica Hijas" written by Mikaela Regis and directed by Pat Valera. It was a one-act play first staged last year as part of Set C of the Virgin Labfest 17 "Hinga." The second feature "Laro" was written by no less than Floy Quinto, directed by John Mark Yap. It was a two-act play first staged in 2004, then only restaged in 2019 by Artists Playground. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"Unica Hijas" was about two senior high school girls -- Nikki (Joy delos Santos) and Mitch (Ash Nicanor) -- who were caught in the act of almost kissing. They were called to the Principal's Office for this offense. This dreaded meeting will also have their parents in attendance. Before this moment of truth, the two were talking with each other, trying to come to grips with their sexuality, their parents and their school. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Mitch was already sure of her gender orientation and was out and proud about it, even with her mother. The more interesting character here was actually Nikki, a girl who was still in the closet, hoping that she could still shake off this unnatural feelings she had sometime in the future. She did not want to disappoint her parents by announcing that she may be gay. She wanted to deny everything, keep things status quo, and not stir a hornet's nest.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The winsome and very realistic portrayals of both girls made this play light, sweet and engaging, despite the sensitive LGBTQ topic that it tackles. Gay audiences would invariably be behind Mitch all they way. Straight audiences may feel that doubtful Nikki was being pressured into coming out. It was just too bad that the director chose that Nikki's final decision had to be done via a phone call with loud music drowning out that actual words. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"Laro" was a series of short intense scenes following a chain of gay men, with one character connected to two other characters. It began with an Call Boy and a Policeman, who later met a Drag Queen, who later met a User, who later met a random online Lover, who went home to his Ideal, who then met up with a Student, who then confessed to a cousin Writer, who then interviewed a Model, who then met his Philosopher boss, who later hired a Call Boy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The most memorable scenes and acting were those which involved the scary Policeman (Gio Gahol), the perverse Ideal (Al Gatmaitan) and the megalomaniac Philosopher (Jojo Cayabyab). I had seen the original staging before and these scenes felt like Quinto could've upped the shock factor, or if not, director Yap may have intensified these specific encounters to make them seem more monstrous with his improved lighting, sound design and sets. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, only Phi Palmos can play a Tina Turner Drag Queen. Al Gatmaitan played Ideal and Mike Liwag played User before, though it was their alternates that I saw. The other members of the original cast took on different roles. Ross Pesigan from Student to Call Boy, and Gio Gahol from User to Policeman, and both of them upped their acting intensity. However, Andre Miguel, who went from Call Boy to Model, looked awkwardly miscast in his new role. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Even if there was dark humor imbued in all the episodes, even queer audiences will find these salacious stories very disturbing. Straight audiences will likely react with disgust and revulsion to the sex scenes, all non-consensual. With all the gay predators depicted here, there was nothing positive nor feel-good in the whole of this lurid play. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As "Pride Plays," while "Unica Hijas" tries to make straight viewers understand lesbian issues, "Laro" could actually alienate them against gays more. Provocative as he always is, Quintos surely will not let something like that get in the way. The cold truth needs to be told, uncomfortable and inconvenient as it may be. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-78591493010328204662023-06-16T08:09:00.001-07:002023-06-16T08:10:06.372-07:00Review of VIRGIN LABFEST 18- SET C (Y.O.L.O.): Monsters, Machismo, Mush <p><span style="font-family: arial;">June 15, 2023</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For the first time since the pandemic, the Virgin Labfest is completely face to face at the new Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez, with the theme "Hitik." The initial reviews for these 12 new one-act plays have been circulating in social media since they premiered last week, and they were all generally glowing. It had always been difficult for me to catch all four sets because of my day job. This year, this Set C might actually be the only set I could catch. (But I hope not.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSLvhMdXzgwvLJKS30mRJ8S4vq9h1J7GTXcyWACKHhe69Husm46XT1lFIxhU11VKAwocsey4WiPk00QWmLKf8V8byKeZmYk6-RpwNCp7VZSltnX1aE7oM-pGn7pJx74d1GMtjwoN-SEGkoHPTIZN00iWzp0wyC95iAZK0_xV-SlsVsXBjrm7OSLFG/s1350/mga%20halimaw.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSLvhMdXzgwvLJKS30mRJ8S4vq9h1J7GTXcyWACKHhe69Husm46XT1lFIxhU11VKAwocsey4WiPk00QWmLKf8V8byKeZmYk6-RpwNCp7VZSltnX1aE7oM-pGn7pJx74d1GMtjwoN-SEGkoHPTIZN00iWzp0wyC95iAZK0_xV-SlsVsXBjrm7OSLFG/s320/mga%20halimaw.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>1. MGA HALIMAW RIN KAMI</b></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Writer: Jules Pamisa</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Director: Tats Soriano</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A centuries-old Aswang (Chrome Cosio) encountered a Manananggal (Skyzx Labastilla) who landed on the same rooftop as him. They tell each other their life stories, and compare their killings to the killings going on among the humans in the streets below them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This was basically an amusing two-hander (with veterans Cosio and Labastilla at their most over-the-top) about the misadventures of two traditional monsters of Philippine myth. Pamisa juxtaposed the monsters' stories of killing human victims alongside the extra-judicial killings done with impunity during the drug wars. However, since it has been more than a couple of years after the height of these EJKs, this play concluded with an oddly dated feel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2J12RM9Xgy4voro9P_CfZGqrxOOzBmA53GRAMdz5ITGDKD1eEgkHMowZzC8G4T0HUZ649Ugq1aacr41ZiTm2hclgcZfMIvFHmG9x0GOh8NRObkxIi0votOHNBerSPWkvc9tYxA_djNmFTbk69JEoIi4r1CGvDjKavrD3U5xMkTo1_qb75zEQ9Rw6Y/s1800/room%20209.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2J12RM9Xgy4voro9P_CfZGqrxOOzBmA53GRAMdz5ITGDKD1eEgkHMowZzC8G4T0HUZ649Ugq1aacr41ZiTm2hclgcZfMIvFHmG9x0GOh8NRObkxIi0votOHNBerSPWkvc9tYxA_djNmFTbk69JEoIi4r1CGvDjKavrD3U5xMkTo1_qb75zEQ9Rw6Y/s320/room%20209.jpg" width="256" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>2. ROOM 209</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Writer: Zheg Arban</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Director: Delphine Buencamino</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Since he was a child, Cadet 4th class Perez (Jao Catarus) was prepared by his late father and his older brother (Gino Ramirez) to enter the Philippine Military Academy, where they both graduated from. However, Perez became the target of bullying by his upperclassmen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Arban's script was powerful, but it was the dynamic direction of Buencamino that gave this play such a galvanizing effect. The ensemble of new young actors (CJ Barinaga, Denmark Brinces, Raphne Catorce, Earvin Estioco & James Lanante) was solid in their performances as the cadets, especially Jao Catarus in the vulnerable central role. However, I wish they also mentioned what happened to the perpetrators of the unforgivable crime. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk_7M4Kc-Nnr1rTlVyFKgr4dUZ8BKnMqK8SVma3ihStCaifaM4T9ZZbnJ_16j58FR-zGn7_Pd3gD3wJ8OtA_sBuA3of5tHVqfGujBRbkOhU227iHVSj6wfZomHvWJN_FDPJB-E4OOrhAjSOiamL5LI_35nrQ6MVOhg4ZERyF5PnpDHwIkkJuTZDJi/s600/hukay.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk_7M4Kc-Nnr1rTlVyFKgr4dUZ8BKnMqK8SVma3ihStCaifaM4T9ZZbnJ_16j58FR-zGn7_Pd3gD3wJ8OtA_sBuA3of5tHVqfGujBRbkOhU227iHVSj6wfZomHvWJN_FDPJB-E4OOrhAjSOiamL5LI_35nrQ6MVOhg4ZERyF5PnpDHwIkkJuTZDJi/s320/hukay.jpg" width="256" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>3. HUKAY</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Writer: Ophalain Margaux Serrano</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Director: Melvin Lee</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When Noel (Andoy Ranay) was burying his dead horse in a field, his policeman friend Rico (Floyd Tena) came by to help. The two middle-aged men talked about their friendship began, and how they think this friendship will proceed in the future.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The way this play began with Noel digging a hole, you would never really see where the play would be going. However, along the way, several hints, both subtle and frank, were already being dropped to clarify the plot direction. This two-hander worked so well because the rapport and chemistry between Ranay and Tena was simply so realistic and actually quite sweet. If there was any significance about the horse being buried, I do not recognize it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-38397968508550542352023-05-13T16:51:00.008-07:002023-05-14T03:12:31.455-07:00Theatre Titas: Review of TWENTY QUESTIONS: Intimate Interviews<p><span style="font-family: arial;">May 13, 2023</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l_l9Qt-DcaFI5dwOObVtkXk7VxUnjbaA9EyWiRA43O-4-tsiLvjbAY1To_Gqz2A62yboVtcBjS9Ntk6_mVo2DopGhbBUYOuHVi46cOMuHQOWQVCR204okGRM48mdc4SNPUrh4KSv6aZ9uDD72bqkRUxL7LYFz2miO4kVgqmFSB7wg9WEopG0_RiF/s1350/twenty%20questions.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l_l9Qt-DcaFI5dwOObVtkXk7VxUnjbaA9EyWiRA43O-4-tsiLvjbAY1To_Gqz2A62yboVtcBjS9Ntk6_mVo2DopGhbBUYOuHVi46cOMuHQOWQVCR204okGRM48mdc4SNPUrh4KSv6aZ9uDD72bqkRUxL7LYFz2miO4kVgqmFSB7wg9WEopG0_RiF/w320-h400/twenty%20questions.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Jigs (Diego Aranda) and Yumi (Isabelle Prado) were members of one gang of friends. They had a yearly tradition to lock one boy and one girl, supposedly randomly picked, to spend 24 hours together in one hotel room. So far, those who had been locked together before all went on to have successful romantic lives as couples. At the start, Jigs and Yumi were determined to be the first couple not to end up together when they get out of the room. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As an ice breaker, Jigs suggested that they play a game of "Twenty Questions" to be able to get to know each other better. Each one gets to ask any question on any topic about the other one. They would go alternatingly one after the other. One cannot ask the same question once it had been asked of him already. The questions started off easy, but each subsequent question got more and more uncomfortable to answer, even with the wine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Twenty Questions" was the very first play written by playwright Juan Ekis in 2003. It won Ekis second place in the one-act play category in the Carlos Palanca Awards. This year, 20 years later, the play was chosen by the Theater Titas to be their fourth project, their first since the pandemic and since their membership in Philstage. Their first show "What's in the Dark?" was staged Halloween 2017, which I was able to watch back then (<a href="https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2017/10/review-of-theater-titas-whats-in-dark.html" target="_blank"><b>MY REVIEW</b></a>). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The twenty questions started with mundane questions like biggest frustrations or future plans. However, they soon went on to discuss more private matters, mostly about their past relationships. At first their conversations were light and jovial. However, as the questions become more challenging (and the wine they kept drinking loosened their tongues and inhibitions), the mood turned darker as more serious secrets were revealed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Because of Yumi's more colorful love life and long list of past lovers, it was Isabelle Prado who had the more exciting and provocative stories to confess. This being her professional theatrical debut, Prado nailed her tough role, shifting seamlessly from wacky comedy to painful drama. Because Jigs was the conservative guy with a rigid-as-an-arrow sense of morality, Diego Aranda played him as the dorky yet charming straight-man in this two hander. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I have not seen the original "Twenty Questions" so I could not comment on how director Cheese Mendez (one of the founding Theater Titas) had adapted the script to the present Gen Z milieu. The issues about virginity, living-in, sex and its attendant problems among the youth probably did not change that much in 20 years. However, there still wasn't much mention about social media and the major effect it had on relationships these days. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In any case, the material still held up very well even twenty years after Juan Ekis wrote it -- a testament of its timeless appeal of Ekis's words and how they could make viewers reflect on their own attitudes about sex and relationships. It was a full-house when I watched, and the audience of mostly Gen Z and millennials lapped it up heartily, laughing and swooning in all the right places (probably also aided by the wine sold on their merch table).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">*********</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Theater Titas' production of Juan Ekis's "Twenty Questions" opened last May 12, 2023 and will run up to May 28, 2023, weekends only. The play is staged at the Mirror Studio Theater, an intimate venue located on the 5th floor of the SJG Centre, along Kalayaan Ave., in Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City. It plays for one hour, without intermission, in Taglish. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">SJG Centre has no parking slots for private cars. They suggest parking in Century City Mall (approximately a 10 minute walk away) or Power Plant Mall (approximately a 15 minute walk away). They</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> do not recommend Kalayaan Ave. street parking as it is a clamping zone, but there were cars parked along the road that Saturday night I watched.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-20932786817380260892023-04-22T07:23:00.002-07:002023-04-22T16:55:08.819-07:00TP: Review of NEKROPOLIS: Actualizing Anarchy<span style="font-family: arial;">April 22, 2023</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLz3YRLWqlX-jv8HYU4HU_IvT5qAePWGRDoE7wT5DFzeQTgECfQ3FRDwVthzD2OWKZpikQdagD-kydmzWe0zJvxwjHrlMmq-xETX2lxyzHrGCGg4s1J-Jzebo8bwp1ds-OrHWEML_nKoNzM8arAuS4dER1wm4kDW8bxxr5LcKgxUeEZk8Z_JSTLYr/s960/nekropolis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLz3YRLWqlX-jv8HYU4HU_IvT5qAePWGRDoE7wT5DFzeQTgECfQ3FRDwVthzD2OWKZpikQdagD-kydmzWe0zJvxwjHrlMmq-xETX2lxyzHrGCGg4s1J-Jzebo8bwp1ds-OrHWEML_nKoNzM8arAuS4dER1wm4kDW8bxxr5LcKgxUeEZk8Z_JSTLYr/w400-h400/nekropolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There were two sections in this city. The rich lived in Mariposa, where the rich residents were called butterflies. The poor lived in the Projects, where the poor residents were derisively called mosquitoes. The authoritarian leader was a man they called the Mayor. The main opposition was a woman they called the Kapitana (Julie Dimayuga). The nights in the city ring with gunshots as drug addicts were shot down without compunction.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One night, Miggs (Marco Viana) was contemplating about an imaginary wormhole where he can come out the other end as his younger self. A nervous young man named Alex (Marc Lorenz) met up with government employee also named Alex (Vince Macapobre) for his first sexual rendezvous. Claire (Lhorvie Nuevo) allowed lesbian drug pusher Karina (Mitzi Comia) into their apartment to hide during a surprise raid. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This was an experimental project unlike anything I had seen from Tanghalang Pilipino before. It begins with a series of world-building episodes where various characters described their lives in this chaotic city which was on the brink of civil war. Admittedly, it was very confusing at first, I did not know what was going on. Even at the end, I cannot claim to understand everything that transpired, but I definitely felt the urgent unsettling message it was conveying.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The production design of Tata Tuviera was so abstract, beginning with bodies on the floor covered with newspapers, and ending with an explosive shower of waste paper and skulls making a big mess on the stage. There were ropes crisscrossing from ceiling to floor in all directions, giving the illusion of shattered glass. The projection designs of Joyce Garcia on the floor or the live shots of the actors onstage on the backdrop heightened the mood of tension. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The whole play felt like a madhouse when it reached that crazy climax when the whole cast was on different parts of the stage, simultaneous doing their own things, while some random characters were running around like headless chickens, I did not know where to look at or whom to listen to. Director Charles Yee wanted to show</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> writer Guelan Luarca's idea of a society descending into anarchy, and that bleak dystopia was exactly what we saw and felt. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">*****</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"Nekropolis" runs only for six shows at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenex in one weekend from April 20-23, 2023. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-39531825487860086622023-04-16T03:36:00.004-07:002023-04-17T20:31:17.046-07:00Upstart: Review of BREAKUPS & BREAKDOWNS: Mercurial Millennial Mindsets <p><span style="font-family: arial;">April 15, 2023</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7y0zy01SXpSUDYI9j9LNoFxg-EyapuZyNHEgvisMTogjk2GYsjwpAI30U6dUONeaROsy5FE8ni_X1NT5QjaM1Dl6-kCSHlMFImeB5G9W4IvCk6svwdD0KVveCO0SoLfWA5nEkKDGlfUdBh7-aaa8W_I1ekLZl1S4HJ25jHA4A4SPf-eE_mUu5Cnc/s1600/breakups%20and%20breakdowns.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7y0zy01SXpSUDYI9j9LNoFxg-EyapuZyNHEgvisMTogjk2GYsjwpAI30U6dUONeaROsy5FE8ni_X1NT5QjaM1Dl6-kCSHlMFImeB5G9W4IvCk6svwdD0KVveCO0SoLfWA5nEkKDGlfUdBh7-aaa8W_I1ekLZl1S4HJ25jHA4A4SPf-eE_mUu5Cnc/w400-h400/breakups%20and%20breakdowns.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One Friday night, playboy commercial model Derek (Nelsito Gomez) was getting prepared for spending a night in a bar to meet up with a new girl. He was trying to convince his roommate and long-single best friend Mark to go out with him so he could meet girls. However, Mark (Reb Atadero) was still struggling to begin writing his new play about finding the perfect girl, so he won't budge from his computer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark's ex-girlfriend graphic artist Nina (Tanya Manalang), with her boss Felicia (Sarah Facuri), was dealing with difficult clients Howard (Joel Trinidad) and Morgan (Rachel Coates) at work. Sandy (Nicky Trivino) who was seeking advice from her friends Richard (Trinidad) and Pamela (Facuri) on how best to get on Derek's good side. She was leaving for Singapore in a few weeks and wanted to get serious with Derek before that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The libretto of the original musical "Breakups and Breakdowns" was Joel Trinidad's first work for theater back in 2005. Its music was composed by Rony Fortich back then and even now as new songs were added to beef up the show. This present edition of the play had been reworked extensively by Trinidad, together with his creative partner and dramaturg Nicky Trivino, along with additional script suggestions by the cast members themselves. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Reb Atadero and Tanya Manalang are powerful belters, and, as the lead couple of the show, they both get to sing the best songs in the show. The most vocally- and emotionally-challenging song is "Tired of Goodbyes" sung by Mark and Nina, the most traditional showtune in the list. Both also get show-stopping solo numbers -- "Only Words" for Mark, "Outside the Lines" for Nina -- to highlight their vocal range.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Those who only knew Nelsito Gomez for his iconic roles in "Angry Christ" or "Asher Lev" will be pleasantly shocked with his all-out transformation of persona, as much as they will be shocked by the electric colors of his shirts. The energy of the show tends to sag when his Derek was not onstage. The most attention-getting songs were those naughty ones by Derek, especially "Be Prepared," sung with a small square packet in his hand. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Rachel Coates, Sarah Facuri and Trinidad himself got to play multiple distinct characters, and their side stories were sometimes wittier than the main love story. I liked the "Clients from Hell" side story best of all. The wishy-washy boss Howard was Trinidad's best character for me. The wig he wore made him look like a totally different person. Coates was so good playing annoying suck-up Morgan, practically echoing everything Howard said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The current version of the show now runs for about 2-1/2 hours, with a 15-minute interval between acts. Admittedly, because of the slimness of the plot, I felt the length of this running time, particularly when the momentum and the wit faltered in the second half of both acts. Surely, this pacing issue can still tightened for the regular shows. Anyhow, the vibrant talent and personalities of the actors still kept the show afloat and engaging to the end. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">*****</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Upstart's "Breakups & Breakdowns" runs from April 15 (3 p.m.), April 16 (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.), April 22 (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and April 23 (3 p.m.) at the Creative Arts Centre, The British School Manila, 38th Street, BGC, Taguig. For ticket inquiries, call or text Upstart at 0917-8116156 or e-mail upstartproductionsinc@gmail.com. Ticket prices are P2300, 2100, 1800, 800 and 500. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For those who will be driving their own cars, the nearest parking areas would be in the two malls near the venue -- Market! Market! and Uptown Mall. However, the distance between each mall to the venue will take about a 10-minute walk in each direction. Walking back to the car alone at 10:30 pm after an evening show may not feel safe for nervous types. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-21995169260606979662023-03-17T06:38:00.004-07:002023-03-17T17:10:24.975-07:00Review of ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH THE MUSICAL... 'YUN LANG: Effeminate Empowerment<span style="font-family: arial;">March 17, 2023</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiLsYNfhZV5LVS5J1wReTT25feBkPLHsvY_As1-Q3_t-0CUH3wOvOS34ZtbenSXdpuxh3h_qPc4yQeI7pgnt1PWiynTAsbQ-cWIQjRkWUJcvWCcxMgg5fhgTnuarbWwcSFEwgC0mRyHyurR9XCmd1z7PFg2lWOQAzf9zv9hwmQkwJa93nXVwpX9Bq/s789/zzz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiLsYNfhZV5LVS5J1wReTT25feBkPLHsvY_As1-Q3_t-0CUH3wOvOS34ZtbenSXdpuxh3h_qPc4yQeI7pgnt1PWiynTAsbQ-cWIQjRkWUJcvWCcxMgg5fhgTnuarbWwcSFEwgC0mRyHyurR9XCmd1z7PFg2lWOQAzf9zv9hwmQkwJa93nXVwpX9Bq/w266-h400/zzz.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Ada (Phi Palmos, Adrian Lindayag, Shaun Ocrisma</span><span style="font-family: arial;">) was a serious gay guy who lived in a small province town. He earned a living by running his own beauty salon. His loyal best friend was his very gay, very gregarious assistant Didi (Almond Bolante, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Joshua Cabiladas, Robert Bradley Hao</span><span style="font-family: arial;">). The two friends were used to being the butt of jokes in their community but they boldly charge on being themselves. Ada's crush was the strapping guy at the vulcanizing shop, Dodong (Juan Carlos Galano</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, Jude Matthew Servilla, Elian Dominguez</span><span style="font-family: arial;">).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">One night, a glowing pink rock fell into the bathroom where Ada was taking a bath. Didi convinced Ada to go ahead and swallow it to gain superpowers. When Ada shouted the word "Zaturnnah" which was written on the rock, he was transformed into a sexy woman with red hair and a healthy bosom, whom they would christen Zsazsa Zaturnnah (Kim Molina). They would soon discover that while Zsazsa possessed powers of super-strength and super-speed, she did not possess Ada's skills for cutting hair and doing makeup.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This comic homage to Filipino super-heroine Darna originated from the pages of a 2002 graphic novel written by Carlo Vergara. In 2006, Tanghalang Pilipino staged an adaptation of this cult-favorite into a musical with book by Chris Martinez, music by Vincent de Jesus and direction by Chris Millado. The original cast was led by Eula Valdez as the titular heroine, with Tuxqs Rutaquio as Ada, Ricci Chan as Didi and Arnold Reyes as Dodong. This show would have seven runs up to 2011, TP's longest-running musical show. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In this press show, all the lead actors had powerful belting singing voices which matched de Jesus's soulful arrangements perfectly. Body-wise and voice-wise, Kim Molina, much missed on the musical stage after memorable lead roles in "Rak of Aegis" and "Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady," is a perfect choice to play Zsazsa. Phi Palmos has been playing all the major gay characters in recent musicals like "Ang Huling El Bimbo" and "Mula sa Buwan," making his casting as Ada an inspired choice as well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The role of Didi was written for an effortless scene-stealer. The actor who played him needed a strong stage presence, precise comic timing and Jennifer Hudson-like vocals -- and fortunately, they were able to find this rare combination of talent in the incredible Almond Bolante. Juan Carlos Galano had the handsome face and chiseled body to play the neighborhood dreamboat Dodong. The vocal demands of his first song may have been a bit beyond his range, but by his final song, he has proved his worth as singer as well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Kakki Teodoro seemed born to play the silver-clad and formidable alien dominatrix, Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux. Her excellent command of complex English dialogue and fluidly dynamic speaking and singing voice more than made up for her diminutive stature. Her four minions, the Amazonistas, were hilarious parodies of local movie queens, Nora A, Sharon C, Dina B and Vilma S. During their featured song number, Carlin Maximo, Jelena Evangelista, Dani Tan, and Heart Romeo all showed off their remarkably distinctive vocals.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><br /></div><div>This latest revival, presented by Rizal Library, co-presented by Areté Ateneo, and #Ateneo Blue Repertory, had updated the original script with various pop references of events and trends which had transpired since the last staging and the present. Some story elements about how badly gays are treated may seem dated at first. However, after a while, you'd eventually realize that, SOGIE Bill and all, perhaps not much had actually changed and they still feel persecuted, not only by society, but also within their families. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was seated in one of the two mosh pits on both sides of the catwalk. While they give a very close-up view of the actors, it was not easy for me to keep track of everything happening on different parts of the stage, especially the end of the catwalk which was behind me. I imagine it might actually be better to sit in the bleachers at the back in order to see the whole stage. During press night, there were sound and mic glitches, damaged props and a number of gags which did not fly -- nothing too serious that can't be corrected in the next shows. </div><div><br /></div><div>Director Missy Maramara had a talented team working with her, with musical director Vincent de Jesus, lighting designer D Cortezano and sound engineer John Robert “Ago” Yam. The most challenging technicals should be the production and costume designs by Tata Tuviera. He had to create the illusion of the giant frog attacking the town and how to show that Zsazsa could uproot a big tree and throw it into the sky. His eye-catching costumes for Zsazsa, Femina, the Amazonistas, as well as the zombies, all deserve commendation. </div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div>**********</div><div><div>"ZSA ZSA ZATURNNAH THE MUSICAL...'YUN LANG !!!!" plays from March 17 to April 2, 2023 at the Doreen Fernandez Black Box Theater, Arete, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. </div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>For tickets, click <a href="http://ateneobluerep.com/zz-ticket-reservations" target="_blank">ateneobluerep.com/zz-ticket-reservations</a> (the form is strictly open from 11:00AM-7:00PM only daily).</div></div><div><br /></div></div>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-69023911673698173222023-02-17T15:53:00.005-08:002023-02-17T17:28:21.858-08:00PETA: Review of WALANG ARAY: Riotous Rollicking Revolutionary Romance<p><span style="font-family: arial;">February 18, 2023</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziiIearVYo8v4cYBONYY-fDRn4K-EDmIaMYJ9A3etx-X1ZrFwgVYyr64cW_tRNSHKQ-koQebcGTjD6LPVTD0Atp3U_I1Z7Yzh_r2qTcOkf82kSrsokP7LgVrZzusGaiJLfSYgiuS7sLSmDzB7h1r2V8P2uDQxbWXnXtXlzl18GhqVvHT90jmetKPl/s640/walang%20aray.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziiIearVYo8v4cYBONYY-fDRn4K-EDmIaMYJ9A3etx-X1ZrFwgVYyr64cW_tRNSHKQ-koQebcGTjD6LPVTD0Atp3U_I1Z7Yzh_r2qTcOkf82kSrsokP7LgVrZzusGaiJLfSYgiuS7sLSmDzB7h1r2V8P2uDQxbWXnXtXlzl18GhqVvHT90jmetKPl/w320-h400/walang%20aray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">First performed in 1902, Severino Reyes' Tagalog zarzuela "Walang Sugat" told about the love story between Tenyong and Julia set during the Philippine Revolution of 1896, with music by Fulgencio Tolentino. The play was revived in 1971 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Mike Velarde Jr. and Constancio de Guzman composed new music to augment Tolentino's original music which got lost. This music is still used in revivals since then.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">PETA's "Walang Aray," written by Rody Vera with music and songs by Vince Lim, is a musical-comedy spoof of "Walang Sugat." Julia was a famous sarsuela performer and Tenyong was her love. Julia kept their affair a secret from her demanding mother Juana, who wanted her to marry Miguel, the son of Don Tadeo. When the abuse of clergy led by Padre Alfaro led to his parents deaths, a furious Tenyong decided to leave town and join the rebels.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Despite the play being set during the Philippine Revolution, the libretto used mostly Tagalog, English, Taglish and a smattering of Spanish. Vera's script was also peppered with several anachronistic pop culture references from today, from gayspeak lingo to Tiktok dance steps to political jargon to "Maria Clara at Ibarra". The styles of Lim's eclectic music and songs went from the kundiman to rock to rap to current pop. These modern touches updated the story and humor of "Walang Aray" especially for Gen Z audiences it wants to attract. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Director Ian Segarra had put together a solid show. The technical crew -- Julio Garcia's production design, David Esguerra's lights, Happy Constantino's sounds, Gio Gahol's choreography -- all contributed majorly to the slapstick fun and the romantic atmosphere of the show. However, the most visually-striking work has to be Jaylo Conanan's collection of costumes for this show, which consisted of fancy brightly-colored formal wear for rich folk, glittering stage wear for the theater performers and peasant chic for the poor folk. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The PETA stable of actors -- Jarred Jaicten (as Julia's rich suitor Miguel), Kiki Baento and Carlon Matobato (as Julia's househelp Monica and Lucas), the gloriously funny Neomi Gonzales (as Julia's mother Juana), Gie Onida (as Miguel's father Tadeo), Johnnie Moran (as the slimy Fr. Alfaro), the hardworking ensemble playing multiple roles (with Gerard Dy and Tom Bienvenida as the comic standouts) -- were all engaging all-around entertainers, fully reveling in the outlandish, over-the-top comedic spirit this play possessed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today's show was the opening night gala. However, I was also able to watch a sneak preview staged for the press last November. So, by now I have seen two out of the three sets of actors who had been cast to play the lead roles of Julia and Tenyong. They are: TV and movie stars Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada on Opening Night, and theater veterans Marynor Madamesila and Gio Gahol during the Preview. Hoping to still get the chance to watch the third pair in action -- Shaira Opsimar and Jon Abella.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The pair of Gahol and Madamesila were very good individually, as actors and singers. The ever-consistent Gahol in particular was an excellent Tenyong. Madamesila shone in her first lead role in a major theater production. However, their chemistry as a couple was not instant, and only gelled later in the first act as they spent more time together onstage. But again, this was only their very first show together on a sneak preview that I watched last year, so there is more time during this run for them to work on this partnership.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Playing leads right off the bat in their theater debuts, Estada and Ilacad had clear and effortless chemistry. Barely out of his teens, Estrada had strong stage presence and cut a dashing leading man figure. His singing style now may be more suited for pop than for theater, but that can still develop with more experience. With her patrician beauty and unmistakable star quality, Ilacad was a radiant natural as the feisty Julia. Her ability to sing the challenging variety of Julia's songs which ranged from ballads to rap was an impressive revelation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This new partnership between PETA and ABS-CBN Star Magic was a stroke of genius, both in terms of artist talent development and for the marketing of theater as mass entertainment. Not to diminish the quirky charms of our theater actors, but it cannot be denied that there was something more thrilling about watching younger, popular TV and film actors and love teams, especially for the Gen Z market who are may just be watching their very first theater show. Let these film stars draw them in to discover the many wonders the world of theater holds. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">*******</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Walang Aray" runs from February 17 - May 14, 2023, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">LIVE at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Book your tickets now at <a href="http://www.ticketworld.com.ph" target="_blank">Ticketworld </a>or the<a href="http://www.petatheater.com/walangaray" target="_blank"> PETA website</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-65037097021272786582022-12-04T16:00:00.001-08:002022-12-04T16:15:51.717-08:00Rep: Review of CAROUSEL: Baleful and Bizarre <p><span style="font-family: arial;">December 5, 2022</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h1pJZsRN8AgYQ70pbnMsZno3fnLTrLhOc3AbqMLChSWOFWPQGkBVCzNSMIk1SmlGpEaWjMAhmbVrZWZ6JTdCOFgmzckxohVvm4saZ4EmTsUX9cgWDFQfroOPivdqClR6JgKcJXUHzSssTGVHqnohkKMgG5VAH-AL2nAqaWx3z1VlZhKPznv7-vjd/s1440/carousel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h1pJZsRN8AgYQ70pbnMsZno3fnLTrLhOc3AbqMLChSWOFWPQGkBVCzNSMIk1SmlGpEaWjMAhmbVrZWZ6JTdCOFgmzckxohVvm4saZ4EmTsUX9cgWDFQfroOPivdqClR6JgKcJXUHzSssTGVHqnohkKMgG5VAH-AL2nAqaWx3z1VlZhKPznv7-vjd/w320-h400/carousel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Billy Bigelow (Gian Magdangal) worked as the barker of a carousel in a small town in Maine. One night, two young millworkers, Julie Jordan (Karylle Tatlonghari) and Carrie Pipperidge (Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante), took a ride on the carousel. Billy and Julie developed an obvious attraction for each other, much to the annoyance of the carousel owner, the widow Mrs. Mullin (Roxy Aldiosa). She banned Julie from her carousel and fired Billy for taking Julie's side.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After Billy and Julie were married, things were not going too smoothly with the couple. Word even got out around town that Billy beat Julie. He also got involved with a notorious man named Jigger Craigin (Noel Rayos) who was trying to convince the jobless Billy to join him to rob Julie's former employer Mr. Bascombe (Red Nuestro) during the town's yearly clambake picnic. When Billy learned that Julie was pregnant, he reluctantly accepted Jigger's plan.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Carousel" (1945) was the second musical created by legendary theater-meisters Richard Rodgers (for music) and Oscar Hammerstein (for book and lyrics) after their smash debut "Oklahoma" (1943). This was based on a much older Hungarian play entitled "Liliom" by Ferenc Molnar with the same dark plot and flawed characters. However, its name lives on mainly because of its two immortal songs -- "If I Loved You" and "You'll Never Walk Alone). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For people who only know Rodgers and Hammerstein from their big hits like "Sound and Music" and "The King and I," they may be in for a surprise with "Carousel." The story about toxic men and submissive women </span><span style="font-family: arial;">was not bright and cheery at all. There were casual depictions of lecherous men making sexualized moves on women in several scenes, all very uncomfortable to watch, which may be the intention of director Toff De Venecia. Aside from this, the afterlife scenes with the Starkeepers may also come off as too bizarre. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dance was an integral part of this musical. As choreographed by Stephen Vinas, they were contemporary balletic interpretations of the plight of Billy and Julie's daughter Louise (ballerina Gia Gequinto in her Rep debut) with anachronistic props like cellphones and a ring light. These dance interludes have a very serious mood to them, danced to instrumental music only, not to songs with lyrics. If one is not fond of this type of dance, he might find these parts tedious and too long. I still do not know what those two silver blocks really represented. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">However, the acting and singing prowess of its lead actors cannot be denied. Karylle's soprano was more brilliant and stronger than I've heard her before. Too bad she only had "If I Loved You" as her main solo showcase. Gian Magdangal really captured Billy Bigelow's handsome but brutish character. Aside from "If I Loved You," his powerful renditions of "Soliloquy" and "The Highest Judge of All" were riveting in emotional substance. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante always had that delightful, scene-stealing stage presence, and her turn as Carrie was no different, with her cheery renditions of "You're a Queer One, Julie Jordan" and "(When I Marry) Mr. Snow." Senior actress Mia Bolanos really stood out when her Nettie Fowler led the ensemble in the ebullient "June is Busting Out All Over" and then sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" heart-rending exquisiteness -- not just once, but twice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Lorenz Martinez played Carrie's husband Enoch Snow in a comic style. Among the ensemble, Cara Barredo and Steven Hotchkiss play various roles, Julio Laforteza made his mark with his dance moves, as Roby Malubay also did with his deep baritone. Playing live dueling piano accompaniment were musical director Ejay Yatco and Joed Balsamo. Notable among the technicals were the lighting by Barbie Tan-Tiongco and the costumes by Jodinand Aguillon. Hoping the microphones could still be improved so that the lyrics won't sound garbled.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Watch Repertory Philippines’ Carousel at the #CCPBlackBoxTheater from November 26 to December 18, 2022. Tickets are available through <a href="https://bit.ly/3rCm2fH" target="_blank">TicketWorld</a> and the CCP Box Office: 8832-3704 | 8832-1125.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-18472089023138926342022-11-19T14:51:00.003-08:002022-11-19T15:59:40.675-08:00DUP: Review of THE RECONCILIATION DINNER: Unhinged by "Unity"<p><span style="font-family: arial;">November 19, 2022</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HdpYVKcGrID7yY88MurLN_doRYJBKJArB1tsEN6VyBqh8tubooifYronqCDrD1NnXVux_8bDDxuHo5b6AqdBeW0j1aqwXArDntCdwH2CRqjoKGrjqSC0hmHMTPLIdU0DVS0D4xLUk1Jb9zWYC49DONFmTqB82uI7GaCc63Z__vhKvogL3IZzgcP0/s960/the%20reconciliation%20dinner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HdpYVKcGrID7yY88MurLN_doRYJBKJArB1tsEN6VyBqh8tubooifYronqCDrD1NnXVux_8bDDxuHo5b6AqdBeW0j1aqwXArDntCdwH2CRqjoKGrjqSC0hmHMTPLIdU0DVS0D4xLUk1Jb9zWYC49DONFmTqB82uI7GaCc63Z__vhKvogL3IZzgcP0/w400-h400/the%20reconciliation%20dinner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dina (Stella Canete-Mendoza) and Susan (Frances Makil-Ignacio) had been the best of friends since their college days. When they had their respective families, they remained close. Dina married Bert Mendoza (Randy Medel Villarama) and had a daughter Mica (Hariette Mozelle), who is now married to Ely (Reb Atadero). Susan married Fred Valderama (Jojo Cayabyab), and had one gay son Norby (Phi Palmos). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One night, in November 2016, Dina invited Susan and Fred for dinner at their home. However, Susan was distracted because of the news that the body of a past president had been buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani by the current president, and Dina can't see why it bothered her so much. It turned that both women supported different presidential candidates in the last elections which caused their friendship to chill.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">From "Collection" (2013, <a href="https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2013/02/collection-dulaang-up.html" target="_blank"><b>REVIEW</b></a>) to "Ang Nawalang Kapatid" (2014, <a href="https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2014/02/review-of-dulaang-ups-ang-nawalang.html" target="_blank"><b>REVIEW</b></a>), "Angry Christ" (2017, <a href="https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2017/04/review-of-uppts-angry-christ.html" target="_blank"><b>REVIEW</b></a>) to "The Kundiman Party" (2018, <a href="https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2018/04/review-of-uppts-kundiman-party.html" target="_blank"><b>REVIEW</b></a>), plays written by Floy Quintos and directed by Dexter M. Santos had been the most exhilarating, most memorable plays produced by Dulaang UP that I had ever seen. Dealing with larger-than-life personalities and staged with elaborate sets, they were bombastic shows that hit you hard with their thought-provoking stories.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In contrast with these previous plays, Quinto's 20th play "The Reconciliation Dinner" is about regular middle-class people going through an experience we are all probably going through ourselves in our own circle of friends. We've had plenty of elections before and we do not always choose the same candidate, but never had these differences in vote been so dramatic, and even traumatic, than the elections of 2016 and then again in 2022.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Every member of the ensemble cast got their moments to shine. Stella Canete-Mendoza and Frances Makil-Ignacio clicked as old BFFs, so we all feel the strain in their friendship and the stress it caused both women. Jojo Cayabyab's Fred may seem mild-mannered, but he can speak his mind when it mattered. Harriet Mozelle's Mica was a product of her parents' influence, while Reb Atadero's Ely kept a critical secret from his in-laws and his wife.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">While the friendship of Dina and Susan was the heart of the story, they were not really the characters who made the biggest impact. Passionately pink was Phi Palmos's Norby, so defiantly progressive that he criticized his own parents as "old-school Pinklawans." On the other extreme, Randy Medel Villarama's Bert, the rabid loyalist, a joker who can't take a joke, a character you hate so much, you will cheer when he gets his comeuppance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">With skill and eloquence that he is known for as a playwright, Quintos had practically summarized the uneasy experience of Philippine society in the past 6 years into this 1-1/2 hour-long one-act play. This divisive drama had been played out on social media, made even worse by revisionist memes by troll farms. We have heard all of the triggering issues Quintos referenced, and they will raise the same emotions in us all over again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">*****</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"The Reconciliation Dinner" runs from November 18 - 20 (10:30am, 3:00pm and 7:30pm) at the UP Theater Main Hall Stage, UP Diliman, QC. Buy tickets from Ticket2Me via this<a href="https://ticket2me.net/e/36022" target="_blank"><b> link</b></a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-2751555710414318082022-09-17T05:07:00.005-07:002022-09-17T16:07:54.752-07:00TP: Review of ANAK DATU: Fresh, Frank and Fearless<p><span style="font-family: arial;">September 17, 2022</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2c8BN8A_qJ4xyz2VO5gq1hNYoL33oxfgPPDBHSmhfPX8TYVDCb4BuiC7C3vn4m_3cVXPRE1JRNqWjOinkK5NjJRuwowPK4Ptw61uYIorYxP4_vPE4uuneqmO3SWr89QZU-rT6byKzF4S5QYmsdeKa6MmX3B2h515SVuIgJedcihhsTVN-Ldt99vN/s4961/Anak%20Datu_Flat%20A3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4961" data-original-width="3508" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2c8BN8A_qJ4xyz2VO5gq1hNYoL33oxfgPPDBHSmhfPX8TYVDCb4BuiC7C3vn4m_3cVXPRE1JRNqWjOinkK5NjJRuwowPK4Ptw61uYIorYxP4_vPE4uuneqmO3SWr89QZU-rT6byKzF4S5QYmsdeKa6MmX3B2h515SVuIgJedcihhsTVN-Ldt99vN/w283-h400/Anak%20Datu_Flat%20A3.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It all started with a short story written for young readers </span><span style="font-family: arial;">by National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Imao in 1968. It was only </span><span style="font-family: arial;">about a kidnapping incident that happened in pre-colonial Mindanao. However, the fertile imagination of </span><span style="font-family: arial;">playwright Rody Vera was able to spin from it a complex multi-layered script that also involved the Imao family during the 1970s, as well as key events in the history of the Muslim conflict in the Philippines.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We meet Abdulmari Imao (Marco Viana) as a painter busy at work at his easel in their home, with his muse, his supportive Christian wife Grace de Leon (Antonette Go), by his side. They had a spirited young son Toym (Carlos Dala) who was obsessed with watching Japanese robot shows on TV, particularly "Voltes V" and was constantly engaged in imaginative game play inspired by his anime action heroes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We meet Jibin Arula, both as an eager Tausug teenager (Mark Lorenz) excited to be training with his friends, and as an old man (Nanding Josef) telling his story about how their adventure in Corregidor went wrong. The trainees found out that they were going to be used for a sinister purpose different from what they were told so they sent in their objection. Arula was the sole survivor of this massacre, an event that sparked the Muslim insurgency in the country. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We meet Datu Karim (Hassanain Magarang) and his wife Putli Loling (Lhorvie Nuevo) who were ambushed at sea by pirates, led by the notorious plunderer Jikiran (Earle Figuracion). Putli Loling's son Karim (also played by Carlos Dala) grew up recognizing Jikiran as his father. Jikiran would later confess his crimes to young Karim while showing him all his cache of treasures he had collected over the years, and apologize for them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There was a narrator in the person of Tex Ordonez-de Leon. We first meet her as the storyteller who would sing the ballads about Putli Loling. Later on, we will see her as well as an English-speaking Rita Gaddi-Baltazar type pro-Martial Law TV spokesperson, extolling the Folk Arts Theater, the Miss Universe Pageant 1974 and the Thrilla in Manila 1975. Unfortunately, the live playing of percussion rendered some of her words unclear. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In Act 1, it might take a bit of time for the audiences to settle into the groove of these multiple threads before they could be woven into the complicated patterns of its ambitious fabric of epic design. The changing scenes, with various characters being played by the versatile ensemble, can be confusing for those who have not read background information about this play. The pace of the storytelling was still slow, so it may be difficult to focus.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">However, by Act 2, everything settled into place and the engagement factor picked up considerably. Each scene will hold your attention, be it about how Nur Misuari (Ahrjay Babon) established the Moro National Liberation Front, how the youth reacted when Voltes V was pulled out of the TV or how Karim reunited with his father. The grand finale that put all the segments of the story together into one spectacular whole was genius.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Setting up the whole story was a challenge as they had to juggle with the different set pieces (designed by Toym Leon Imao) and colorful costumes (designed by Carlo Pagunaling) for each of these three stories being told. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The lighting design by Katsch Catoy, projection d</span><span style="font-family: arial;">esign by GA Fallarme completed the visual illusion. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The hypnotic original music by Josefino </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Chino Toledo was played live with Muslim instruments, mixed into the sound design by TJ Ramos. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The pangalay (the traditional dance of the Tausugs, done with elaborate poses of the body and the wave-like gestures of the arm and hands), as well as the martial arts fighting scenes were choreographed by Hassanain Magarang, and the PWU Indayog Gong </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Ensemble was very elegant to watch. Carlos Dala in particular was very graceful in both his dancing and fighting movements, quite an auspicious stage debut for this young indie film actor. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">TP Artistic Director Nanding Josef, TP Associate Artistic Director Marco Viana and TP Actor's Company senior members Antonette Go and Lhorvie Nuevo delivered solid performances as would be expected of them. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">For their debut performance with Tanghalang Pilipino for live theater, new </span><span style="font-family: arial;">TP Actors Company scholars Arjhay Babon and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Earle Figuracion made strong impressions in their prominently featured roles of Misuari and Jikiran respectively.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Director Chris Millado's ideas for the staging of scenes were fresh and innovative. The Imao living room had the easel, the television set and the coffee table were all on their own movable little stages. The scene where Jikiran's body was being wrapped with a white cloth for his funeral was haunting yet beautiful. The AFP soldiers taunted the MNLF rebels with lines delivered in a strange cadence and inflection. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The show still managed to end on a positive note, with hope of real long-lasting peace among Filipino Muslims and their Christians, conveyed in a closing anthem that amusingly sampled the "Voltes V" theme into it. However, there was a series of slides flashed on the screen at the end that had some ironic information in text form for the audience to read. It is just too bad it was difficult to finish reading </span><span style="font-family: arial;">some of these slides which had very long paragraphs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hearing the familiar introductory notes of the Martial Law anthem "Bagong Lipunan" which opened the play was a grim portent of the dark political themes the play would tackle. Rody Vera certainly minced no words when he described what the ruling government did during those years to cause Muslims to fight back. Vera's social and historical commentary about the events depicted in his play was frank and fearless.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">*********</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">“Anak Datu” is also the maiden production of the newly built Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez at </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the Cultural Center of the Philippines from September 16 to October 9, 2022. For tickets, go to </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://bit.ly/AnakDatuTickets">bit.ly/AnakDatuTickets</a> and stay tuned to the Tanghalang Pilipino Facebook Page for promos </span><span style="font-family: arial;">and discounts.</span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-38573784305409335682022-08-27T20:57:00.000-07:002022-08-27T20:57:52.928-07:00Review of MULA SA BUWAN: A Congenial and Charming Cyrano<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> August 27, 2022</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pMh2oONWwmvp3FaSvmc49V9cYMEumqoceZfWfARBAyTrD-3DGqDY8sG8JXaQeHnYPNvoKR6x9bca1xH_teLhh0aDR3HUm6w-iXRPNTeVsYie0ZNpntctS1AFqmeT3m8XARMQY9giAIu8MDmTXz1UmSd63QTohbBesH2GDRf-bcm_SElGFOYgynlO/s2048/mula%20sa%20buwan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pMh2oONWwmvp3FaSvmc49V9cYMEumqoceZfWfARBAyTrD-3DGqDY8sG8JXaQeHnYPNvoKR6x9bca1xH_teLhh0aDR3HUm6w-iXRPNTeVsYie0ZNpntctS1AFqmeT3m8XARMQY9giAIu8MDmTXz1UmSd63QTohbBesH2GDRf-bcm_SElGFOYgynlO/w278-h400/mula%20sa%20buwan.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Cyrano de Bergerac" is a classic French play by Edmond Rostand written in 1987. Since then, the play had been translated into and performed in English and other languages, and adapted into stage musical versions as well. There have been a number of film versions, the latest of which was "Cyrano" (Joe Wright, 2021) starring Peter Dinklage; as well as adaptations where the story was transposed to modern times and/or gender-swapped, the latest of which was "The Half of It" (Alice Wu, 2020).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"Mula sa Buwan" is the Filipino musical adaptation of Cyrano's story by Pat Valera (book and lyrics) and William Elvin Manzano (original music and lyrics) based on Soc Rodrigo's Filipino translation of Rostand's original verses. It has itself undergone a number of reworkings since its first staging in 2010 at the University of Asia and the Pacific by the Dulaang Rock Opera Company. These tweaks in the book were done in order to make the material more relevant to the prevailing social climate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It had gained more popularity when it was staged at the Ateneo de Manila University twice </span><span style="font-family: arial;">by Black Box Productions</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. In 2016, it was staged at the Irwin Lee Theater, with Nicco Manalo and Boo Gabunada alternating as Cyrano, KL Dizon as Roxane and Fred Lo and Edward Benosa alternating as Christian. In 2018, it was restaged at the Hyundai Hall of Arete, with Manalo and Gabunada again alternating as Cyrano, Gab Pangilinan and Cris Go alternating as Roxane and Edward Benosa and Myke Salomon alternating as Christian.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For this current production, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the Barefoot Theatre Collaborative brings the beloved work to a much bigger venue -- the new and beautiful Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati, which has a seating capacity almost twice that of Hyundai Hall. The dashing Markki Stroem joins the cast as Christian. The ever-incandescent Gab Pangilinan reprises her role as Roxane. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">From playing Christian in 2018, musical director Myke Salomon now dons the iconic prosthetic nose to play the lead role of Cyrano. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The main supporting characters include the fabulous Rosanna (Phi Palmos), the transgender cabaret owner who supported projects to promote equal representation and freedom of expression; the haughty Maximo (MC de la Cruz), the raffish rich young man who dared to challenge Cyrano; the loyal Tato (Jon Abella), Cyrano's best friend, and the sweet Gabriel (Jillian Ita-as), Roxane's best friend and Tato's love interest. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The cadets under Cyrano were played by Abe Autea, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Jep Go, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Rapah Manalo, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Stephen Viñas and the diminutive </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Ericka Peralejo. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The ensemble of townspeople includes: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Miah Canton, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Francis Gatmaytan, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Mitzie Lao, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Deborah Lemuel, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark Anthony Grantos, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Eizel Marcelo, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Kinnara Mayari , </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Ace Polias, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Liway Perez, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Lance Reblando, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Mikaela Regis, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Chesko Rodriguez, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Keith Sumbi, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Shaira Opsimar and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Khalil Tambio</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Set designer Ohm David transformed the spacious stage of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater into a lively city street corner with a makeshift stage for the first song number "Ang Tanghalang Ito," then he would bring us into Rosanna's cabaret, where she sang her spirited "Manifesto." David's main backdrop was a wall of crumpled white fabric, which conveyed different moods depending on the colors of Meliton Roxas's lights. A full moon and a sky full of twinkling stars would occasionally appear up there to create a most beautiful effect. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The costumes designed by Bonsai Cielo transported the audience back to 1940s Manila before and after World War II took its toll. As most of the boys were in their khakis, the girls' were in rainbow-colored dresses which flowed as the they spun around in JM Cabling's vibrant choreography. Roxane's dresses were made for standing out in the crowd, with their bright primary colors that reflect her moods. For Rosanna's featured number, Palmos rocked an ensemble of polka-dot sleeveless blouse, purple pants and red shoes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first act on its own took about two hours already, with 10 song numbers that introduced the three main characters and built up the love triangle they will be engaged. the mood of the this act was generally upbeat (the boisterous "Ang Ilong"), with a healthy dose of sweet nothings for romantics to sigh on (the longing of "Ikaw"). The final song of the act, "Malaya," was sung when the war reached the city, as the Philippine flag waved with the red on top, dramatically switched abruptly with the Japanese Rising Sun flag at blackout. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In stark contrast with the high energy of Act 1, the second act had a more somber atmosphere as themes of war and mortality took over. This hour-long act only had four songs, all with titles that dealt with the misery of war, the loss of loved ones, and hope for a better tomorrow. These are "</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Awit ng Mga Naiwan," Christian's soaring anthem "</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Matatapos Din,"</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> "</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Tahan Na," and "Ang Sabi Nila," Roxane's song about her difficulty of moving on from a lost love, the emotional highlight for Gab Pangilinan's sparkling soprano. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you are not familiar with Cyrano's story, it may not easy to get into the musical at first with the flowery Tagalog used. However once the main love triangle gets going, you will be hooked. The romantic chemistry of real-life couple Salomon and Pangilinan is undeniable even though their characters were not exactly lovers, as Stroem gamely played third wheel. Abella and Ita-as were delightful as second couple Tato and Gabriel, also eliciting thrilled shrieks from the audience. MC dela Cruz registered strongly as the bad boy Maximo.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I was not able to see any of the Ateneo stagings of this musical, so I would not be able to compare this staging from the previous or if there were any major changes made. Myke Salomon had a light, child-like, and congenial portrayal of Cyrano that kept the story, especially the grim second act, from becoming totally maudlin and depressing. As "Ang Huling El Bimbo" set Salomon apart as musical director par excellence, "Mula sa Buwan finally confirmed Salomon to be a true leading man. This multi-talented man has truly arrived. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p>*****</p><p><br /></p><p>MULA SA BUWAN, a musical about love & defiance by Pat Valera & William Elvin Manzano runs from AUG. 26—SEPT. 11, 2022 for a LIMITED ENGAGEMENT at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati. Tickets are now on sale at <a href="http://ticketworld.com.ph">ticketworld.com.ph</a> or <a href="http://mulasabuwan.com/tickets">mulasabuwan.com/tickets</a>. </p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6683874222144998155.post-58006153794660529132022-07-31T16:20:00.001-07:002022-07-31T16:20:19.070-07:00Review of DOC ANNA ... LET'S KILL THIS LAB!: Political Pressure, Scientific Snags<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> August 1, 2022</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrDusDLEbyYd3aq8e2v29S8IGZghcSLmjyaL_Dgz0GpZzAiX1DIaAzI1hA5MgQEJXJVxkLoGt--BAAjiftFR9I7ClL8qrklUNoouae1BQAfp2qGcmEJ1BVvsZb4HXr1gI0sa4ha4foGNfyTyubG_cbahTYsaLGWSi0fQOTiXNyDB-0o8hTciZih93/s2048/doc%20anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrDusDLEbyYd3aq8e2v29S8IGZghcSLmjyaL_Dgz0GpZzAiX1DIaAzI1hA5MgQEJXJVxkLoGt--BAAjiftFR9I7ClL8qrklUNoouae1BQAfp2qGcmEJ1BVvsZb4HXr1gI0sa4ha4foGNfyTyubG_cbahTYsaLGWSi0fQOTiXNyDB-0o8hTciZih93/w300-h400/doc%20anna.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dr. Anna de los Santos (Jana Isabel La Victoria) was a chemist who heads the nanotechnology laboratory in the Colegio de Salvados. She gained prominence by developing a evaporation suppressant chemical (which townspeople erroneously called a "fertilizer") which enabled the farmers of her town to save their crops from the yearly drought. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">However, Dr. Anna owed her present position to two politicians. One is the current Mayor Tito Reyes (Jorge Matba), who was the one who released the funds for her to be able to develop her "miracle" chemical. The other is Vicky Ramos (Lauren Antonio), who owns the factory which mass produces her invention, now currently running for mayor against Tito.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At the height of election fever, Salvados was stricken by an epidemic of cancer. Dr. Anna was being pressured by Tito and Vicky to find the cause and the solution for this alarming disease. Dr. Anna thinks it could be arsenic in the water. Anna and her lab assistant Boy-C (Miggy Lagazon) scramble to find the source of this toxic contaminant. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dr. Anna also faced pressing issues at home. Her very religious mother Amparing (Kiana Aaliyah Cervantes) wanted her to accept the position of "hermana mayor" for the upcoming fiesta of Virgen de Salvados. Meanwhile, her niece and adopted daughter Girlie (Anika Licudan) was becoming increasingly depressed from traumatic experiences. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Playwright Layeta Bucoy was able to write this and two more full-length plays ("Dance of the Foolies" and "Orgullo Compound") stemming from research on arsenic and nanosilica from rice hull ash of the University of the Philippines Los Baños nanoscience and technology facility and analytical and instrumentation science laboratory. This dissertation of hers for a doctorate degree in Literature in De La Salle University was published last year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This complex, multi-layered play explored the political ramifications of a scientific discovery that which benefited a town greatly at first, but later may be implicated in its destruction. With her acclaimed writing skills, Bucoy seamlessly merged very disparate elements of nano-chemistry, politics, religion, rape and mental health in a emotionally-heavy, intellectually-disturbing script, yet still managed to be very engaging for its audience. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The young cast of actors was led by Jana Isabel La Victoria in the central role of Doc Anna. La Victoria had to keep up the cold pragmatic veneer of a scientist for most of the play's run time, but the frustration that was boiling up inside of her eventually had to explode in a couple of remarkable breakdown scenes. Her navigation of the jargonish scientific terminology which had to roll off her tongue naturally was particularly convincing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Standing out among the supporting actors was Kiana Aaliyah Cervantes, whose portrayal of Doc Anna's old fanatical mother became more impressive when you see how she actually looked like without her aging makeup. The Greek chorus of four dancers / townspeople (Alyssa Torres, Sari Labrador, plus Matba and Lagazon doing double duties) was quite entertaining as they trade gossip and speculations and chants. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This production was directed for an online presentation by Tuxqs Rutaquio, who also designed the sets. Jaydee Jasa multi-tasked as cinematographer, editor and camera operator. There were a couple of scenes depicting corpses in coffins which would be difficult to imagine being staged live on stage. The hair and makeup by Carlos Siongco effectively transformed young actors like Cervantes and Matba into convincing senior characters. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Maiba 18 Productions is a production house founded and led by the students of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Theater Arts Batch 118, aiming to empower marginalized communities by staging productions from the diverse perspectives of the youth. This stage production of "Doc Anna ... Let's Kill this Lab," their final academic requirement for their Theater Production 2 class, streams on Ticket2me.net from July 29 to August 12, 2022.</span></p><p><br /></p>Fred Saidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151953569361308999noreply@blogger.com0