December 20, 2023
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.
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.
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) 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.
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."
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.
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."
I will list here what I feel were the best among those theater shows I had seen and written about for 2023:
I. ORIGINAL FILIPINO MUSICALS
Book: Rody Vera
Music and Songs: Vince Lim
Director: Ian Segarra
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.
Other Notable Productions:
"Rama, Hari" (Alice Reyes Dance Philippines)
"Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah" (Ateneo Blue Rep)
"Tabing-Ilog" (Teatro Kapamilya)
"Hero Z" (PhilStagers)
Notable Performances:
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)
Memorable Tech Aspects:
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."
II. NON-FILIPINO MUSICALS
Book, Music and Songs: Jonathan Larson
Director: Robbie Guevara
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.
Other Notable Productions:
"The Last Five Years" (Barefoot)
"Snow White and the Prince" (Repertory Phils.)
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)
Memorable Tech Aspects:
The "breaking-up" set design of "Tick Tick Boom". The "walkalator" set design of "The Last Five Years."
III. FILIPINO PLAYS
A. One-Act:
Writer: Guelan Luarca
Director: Melvin Lee
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.
Other Notable Productions:
"Lakambini" (Kumprontasyon)
"Hukay" (Virgin Labfest Set C)
"Room 209" (Virgin Labfest Set C)
Notable Performances:
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")
Memorable Tech Aspects:
The direction, script and set design of "The Impossible Dream."
B. Full-Length: Original Filipino Material or Filipino Adaptation:
Writer: Floy Quintos
Director: John Mark Yap
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.
Other Notable Productions:
"Ardor" (Tanghalang Ateneo)
"Nekropolis" (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Notable Performances:
Gio Gahol, Al Gatmaitan and Jojo Cayabyab ("Laro"), Jon Santos ("Bawa't Bonggang Bagay" - Filipino translation of "Every Brilliant Thing")
Memorable Tech Aspects:
Direction and lighting design of "Laro."
IV. NON-FILIPINO PLAYS:
Writer: John Logan
Director: Bart Guingona
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.
Other Notable Productions:
"Lungs" (Sandbox)
Notable Performances:
Bart Guingona and JC Santos ("Red"), Reb Atadero and Sab Jose ("Lungs")
Memorable Tech Aspects:
Direction, set design and musical score of "Red"
