Review of THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE: Sisters in Science

August 25, 2024

In 1911, Marie Curie won her second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, for the discovery of radium and polonium. However, she was not in the mood for any celebration. At that time, the widow Curie was being bashed in public for having a clandestine love affair with another scientist named Paul, who was very much married.  The Nobel organization even asked her not to attend her awarding ceremony because of the controversy she will attract. 

At this lowest point of her life, Curie was visited by her very good friend, electromechanical engineer Hertha Ayrton. Ayrton invited Curie and her two daughters Irene and Evie to come visit her in her seaside rest home back in Great Britain. Away from the distressing public scrutiny in France, Curie and Ayrton bonded over stories about their late husbands, about Curie's illicit affair, about Ayrton's criminal record, among other things.

Lauren Gunderson is a prolific American playwright who usually wrote about female scientists. Of her 25 plays written since 2001, I have only seen one of them so far -- "Silent Sky" (2011) about astronomer Henrietta Leavitt -- staged by Repertory Philippines in 2018. "The Half-life of Marie Curie" (2019) was about the most famous female scientist -- Curie, but sharing the stage was a fellow scientist, lesser-known, but also deserving of notice -- Ayrton.

Missy Maramara as Marie Curie

The first time I had seen Missy Maramara in action onstage was in 2018, in Dulaang Up's "Ang Dalagita'y Isang Bagay na Di-buo," and I had admired her since then. Maramara was very intense in portraying Curie's frustration and depression as her respected career crumbled down over the weight of a scandal.  Those who know Maramara more as a improv comedian of SPIT would also relish her sharp comic timing in the moments of levity here.

Caisa Borromeo was such a ball of energy throughout this play as Hertha Ayrton, from her introductory spiel about her invention. to her story about how she got her unique name, to her ribbing Marie to share juicy details. She was the best friend we all wish we had -- always looking on the bright side, always excited over our achievement, always honest in her criticism. The chemistry of Maramara and Borromeo was impeccable and a joy to watch. 

Caisa Borromeo as Hertha Ayrton

The fact that most of us now knew nothing about this "big scandal" which caused Marie Curie sleepless nights from 1911-12 proved that, more likely than not, history will eventually just remember us for our important achievements than our moments of human weakness.  Meanwhile, while we are still saddled with these mental health issues, we are lucky if we have loving family and loyal friends to rely on for support during these tough times.

Gunderson brings up now and again the constant challenge women go through to find equal footing in a world dominated by men. Women had always been judged with a different standard, be it about scientific achievements, political decisions or moral issues. Curie and Ayrton both loved their late husbands very much, but they also wanted to be known as brilliant scientists on their own merits. This play brings us into the intensity of their struggle. 

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"The Half-life of Marie Curie" is a two-hander play that runs for about 90 minutes without an intermission. This MusicArtes production is directed by Kiara Pipino, and staged at the Doreen Black Box Theater at the Arete in the Ateneo. Play runs 7pm on August 23-25, 27-30 with 3pm matinees on August 24-25, 30-31. It is rated PG-13 as there are scenes that tackle sex, gender discrimination, self-harm, and violence. 

Recap of A LA CARLOTTA: Celebrating Carla's Career!

August 13, 2024

The Cultural Center of the Philippines kicked off its first "Triple Threats" concert series in 2013, when it featured solo concerts by Audie Gemora, Nonie Buencamino and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo. The latest one in 2022 featured Leading Men Markki Stroem, Arman Ferrer and Poppert Bernadas. This year, it's the turn of the Leading Ladies: Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and Tanya Manalang-Atadero.

Carla Guevara-Laforteza's concert was supposed to have been held on July 25, 2024, Thursday. Unfortunately, typhoon Carina flooded the metropolis Ondoy levels on July 24. This forced Carla to postpone her show to August 11, a Sunday, instead. I can just imagine the stress Carla and team had with this abrupt change of date, especially since some guests pegged for the original date would not be available on the new date, a list that included no less than her stage director Paolo Valenciano. 

When I received a personal invitation to attend this concert from Carla herself last June 2, of course I accepted without a second thought. I immediately knew this was going to be an extra-special event because the invitation even indicated a dress code -- Strictly All-Black Formal. This unique requirement was both intimidating and exciting, as it guaranteed that it will be elegant night.

On the night of August 11, the guests were indeed all dressed up in their all-black finery as they milled around the lobby of the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, hobnobbing with the Who's Who of Philippine Theater who were also in attendance. By 7:30pm, everyone was settled in, eagerly anticipating the grand entrance of the star, while the Filharmonika Orchestra, with musical director Gerald Salonga at the baton, played the overture. 

Carla entered the room dressed in a voluminous scarlet ball gown made from luxurious satin. Her introductory spiel brought us back to when she was 14 years old, wanting to quit high school to become a stage performer. She began to sing Barbra Streisand's "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" (from the 1983 film "Yentl"), while telling the rest of the story of how she began in theater via Repertory Philippines. 

She segued to sing "Waving Through a Window" (from "Dear Evan Hansen") and "Can You Read My Mind?" (from 1978 film "Superman") to express her initial anxieties about her career choice. Then concluded this segment with "Horror Audition," a song specifically written for her by Rony Fortich, about her least favorite aspect of theater life -- auditioning.

Carla went to sing a couple of songs from two jukebox musicals she's involved in this year. First, she sang "Magpahinga" from the box-office record-breaking hit by PETA featuring songs by Ben&Ben, "One More Chance the Musical." Then, she talked Rep's coming holiday production "Going Home to Christmas," featuring songs by José Mari Chan, who was in the audience that night. She sang "Hahanapin Ko" (originally sung by Anthony Castello) to pay tribute to Chan,  whom many might not know was the one who composed this beautiful song.

Carla then called in four theater actors who had been her leading men before to sing a series of Broadway songs for her, as she sat downstage. Audie Gemora started the ball rolling with "Stars" (from "Les Miserables"), followed by Loy Martinez with his version of "Music of the Night" (from "Phabtom of the Opera"). As I only saw him in comic supporting roles previously, Raul Montesa surprised me with his powerful rendition of "If I Can't Love Her" (from the "Beauty and the Beast" musical). Last but not the least was the Beast himself, Arman Ferrer who sang the roof off of "This is the Moment" (from "Jekyll and Hyde").

Returning centerstage, Carla shared that the two singers who had inspired her the most had been Karen Carpenter and Lea Salonga. To pay tribute to her two icons, she asked Lea's permission if she could perform a medley of sentimental Carpenters hits which had been arranged for Lea by her brother Gerald before. The songs in the mix included: 'We've Only Just Begun," "I Won't Last a Day Without You" and "You (Are the One That Makes Me Happy)." 

For the next number, Carla intimated that she also idolized Gary Valenciano as a livewire performer. Her favorite number of his had always been jazzy scat classic "Spain." Sir Gary was supposed to have joined her for a duet, but he was out of the country on the new date. Therefore, Carla called on her so-called "favorite guest" Gian Magdangal and the inimitable dynamo Ms. Shiela Francisco (who had her own Triple Threats concert 10 years ago). I knew all three of them were vocal powerhouses, but their exuberant take on this frenetic song was certainly extraordinary. She took time during this song to acknowledge the members of the orchestra playing for her.

For the next number, Carla invited fellow leading ladies Shiela Martinez and Yanah Laurel, with again her favorite Gian Magdangal,  to join her in singing and rapping "Work." This snappy, catchy ensemble song number from "Hamilton" brought Act 1 to a rousing close. Guests were invited to partake of cocktails in the lobby during the 15-minute intermission.

Giving 100% in Every Song!

When Act 2 opened, Carla came in wearing a white satin ball gown with a huge complicated bow adorning her back. She immediately called next next guest Floyd Tena to sing a playful duet version of "Pure Imagination" (from the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory").

Her next set of songs were dedicated to the members of her family.  First was a special request of her mother -- "Smile" (from Charlie Chaplin's 1936 classic film "Modern Times"). Her parents even did a short impromptu sweet dance while Carla sang the final chorus. Up next was a medley of  two hits by Stevie Wonder -- 'Too Shy to Say" and "Overjoyed," dedicated to her husband, Chef Godfrey Laforteza. Finally, for her children, she sang "Not While I'm Around" (from "Sweeney Todd"), a song she used to sing for them when they were still small kids.

Two duet numbers followed. For the first one, Carla saw Regine Velasquez sing "With You I’m Born Again" with no other than her concert conductor Gerald Salonga, and now Carla wanted one too. Salonga continued conducting while he was singing, which amused the audience. She then reminisced about her stint as Kim on "Ms. Saigon," then called one of her first leading men Noel Rayos to sing "Sun and Moon" with her. 

Carla talked about her difficulties during the past pandemic, during which her thirst for performing live could not be quenched,  even as she tried singing via streaming. The first show to open after the quarantine was lifted in 2022 was "Joseph the Dreamer" by Trumpets. She was given the role of Rachel, who got to sing the meaningful song of hope -- "He Opens a Window." Tonight, Carla belted this power ballad out of the park, while her niece gracefully danced ballet around her.

Her penultimate song number was about her continuing drive to face the future, uncertain as things may be -- Elsa's anthem from "Frozen 2" -- "Into the Unknown." To sing the operatic siren call Elsa was following, Carla invited acclaimed soprano Lara Maigue. Their ethereal collaboration filled the room with a otherworldly fairytale-like magical atmosphere.

To come full circle, Carla returned to Streisand's "Yentl" for her closing prayer, singing "Piece of Sky" -- for a contemplative yet hopeful finale. After she hit and nailed the soaring last note of this song, the audience all rose up to their feet simultaneously to give Carla a warm, spontaneous, well-deserved standing ovation. 

For her encore, Carla decided to go upbeat with a medley of disco hits by Earth, Wind and Fire, which included crowd favorites "Fantasy" and "September." At this point, Carla was cutting loose, gleefully dancing freestyle with her backup singers -- Johann dela Fuente, Jim Ferrer, Abi Sulit, and Paula Paguio -- who all had supported her expertly and unselfishly the whole night. What an exhilarating way to celebrate one's milestone 30th year in show business, La Carlotta! Brava!

Carla's Curtain Call