Tanghalang Ateneo presents 37th season with the theme "Staging Revolution/s"

Tweet

THEATER ARTS TREATS 2015 : TANGHALANG ATENEO PRESENTS 37TH SEASON LINE-UP OF PRODUCTIONS

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University, is celebrating its 37th season with the theme "Staging Revolution/s".

Growing from a fledgling band of student players to one of the country’s leading school-based theater companies, Tanghalang Ateneo will stage this season three works that have been deemed revolutionary when they were first unleashed to the world.

These productions are:

R.U.R. (Robot Unibersal ni Rossum)

written by Karel Čapek

translation by Guelan Varela-Luarca

direction by JK Anicoche

September 30, October 1-3, 6-10, and 13-17

Venue: Ateneo's Fine Arts Black Box Theater

"R.U.R. (ROSSUM’S UNIVERSAL ROBOTS/ROBOT UNIBERSAL NI ROSSUM)" is a science fiction classic by Czech writer Karel Capek. Originally written in Czech, this Tanghalang Ateneo production will use a new Filipino translation by Palanca winner Guelan Varela-Luarca. The play is about the rebellion of human-like creatures called robots that leads to the extinction of the human race. The danger of man’s desires of a utopian and totalitarian world is one of the play's central themes.

TA Lab: Utos ng Hari - a devised production of Jun Cruz Reyes’ “Utos ng Hari”

direction by Ricardo Abad

November 24-28, and December 1-5

Venue: Ateneo's Fine Arts Black Box Theater

TA Lab is a Tanghalang Ateneo project that features the company's trainees as actors and the company members as members of the production staff. This season, Jun Cruz Reyes’ "Utos ng Hari", a short story about a student’s rebellion against the repressing methods of his school’s authorities, will be presented in a devised production.

KALANTIAW 

written by Rene O. Villanueva

direction by Charles Yee

March 30-31, April 1-2, 5-9, and 12-6 

Venue: Ateneo's Rizal Mini-Theater

Based on real-life events, "Kalantiaw", originally entitled “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Kasinungalingan Tungkol sa Isang Kayumangging Bayan”, is written by the country's leading playwright in Filipino Rene O. Villanueva. This Palanca First Prize-winning play is about the life of historian Jose Marco and the hoax he created - the controversial Code of Kalantiaw. The play, first performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and then at the Theatre Le Rond Point in Paris by Tanghalang Pilipino, forces us to take a closer and more critical look at our sense of nationalism.

Glenn Sevilla Mas, a well-respected playwright and 9-time Palanca winner for drama, is the artistic director of the company and the Theater Arts Program Coordinator of the Ateneo de Manila University.

The officers of Tanghalang Ateneo (SY 2015-2016) are: 

Hershee D. Tantiado (Company Manager)

Rnice E. Delgra (Finance Officer)

Maria Del Carmen B. Juliano (Marketing Coordinator)

Nicolo M. Perez (Publicity Coordinator)

Gabriel Maria F. Tibayan (Secretary General)

Bianca G. Bautista (Special Projects Officer)

John Brian E. De Asis (Theater Manager).

For inquiries and reservations, please contact Madel Juliano at 0917-631-4387 or email: ta.mpc78@gmail.com.

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Facebook:www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/tanghalangateneo

Joanna Ampil and MiG Ayesa lead the cast of the Tony Award winning musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

Tweet

Two iconic performers share the same stage for the first time in what is sure to be the most romantic musical of the year. West End musical theatre star Joanna Ampil and Broadway and West End rock star MiG Ayesa lead the cast of the first international production of the Tony Award winning musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, produced by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) in November 2015.

Fresh from the success of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, which is now embarking on an Asian Tour, ATEG brings you THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, one of the most romantic stories ever written. 

Now an irresistible, two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It’s an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.

Joanna Ampil

This brand new production features gorgeous, soulful music by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) that draws upon the rich textures of Americana and folk and the sweeping, expressive balladry of classic Broadway. The Daily News hails it as “one of Broadway’s best scores in the last decade.”

Joanna Ampil, who rose to stardom in London’s West End as Kim in Miss Saigon and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, says of her latest role, “It will be my first musical in Manila after a long hiatus. The last one was The Sound of Music in 2012. I'm hungry for a new challenge and this role of Francesca will certainly give me that challenge, stretch and creativity that I'm always craving for as an artist. Jason Robert Brown and I performed in London sometime ago way before he wrote Bridges and to be able to play a lead in one of his works will be a wonderful experience; because I know that he writes some amazing stuff. I look forward to sharing the stage with MiG Ayesa, also. But, the thing that appealed to me the most was the idea of working for ATLANTIS for the first time and being directed by Bobby Garcia.”

MiG Ayesa

MiG Ayesa, who performed the role of Stacee Jaxx in ROCK OF AGES on Broadway and in Manila. “I am so thrilled to be returning to the Manila stage with this production of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. The score written by Jason Robert Brown is so breathtakingly beautiful it has to be considered a modern classic, and well deserved of the Tony Awards it received. I cannot wait to show such a different side to me, as the last time Manila audiences saw me was as the crazed rocker ‘Stacee Jaxx’ in ROCK OF AGES. The chance to be working opposite such a world class performer such as Jo Ampil, as well as under the direction of Bobby Garcia, promises to be an experience I will never forget. This will be my second stage production with ATEG, and it has always been a labour of love in that camp. Any excuse to visit the Philippines is worth the work! I cannot think of a better way than to return with such a production as beautiful as this,” said MiG .

Directed by Bobby Garcia, who recently directed the critically acclaimed Asian Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY opens on November 20, 2015 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Select shows are now available for Show Buying and fundraising opportunities. Corporate Packages are also available. 

Contact Jorelle at 0917-8381534 or info@ategasia.com for more information.

Casts reunite in Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical Finale

Tweet

Resorts World Manila (RWM), an active supporter of Philippine performing arts gained a resounding success for its latest theater production Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical as it held its finale last July 18 at Newport Performing Arts Theater with original cast members and creators sharing the stage with the new cast and creators at curtain call.

Originals Mr. Christopher De Leon, Mr. Joel Torre and Ms. Chanda Romero with film director Mr. Emmanuel “Maning” Borlaza, storywriter Ms. Nerissa Cabral and songwriter Willy Cruz joined new generation cast of Bitung Walang Ninging: The Musical for a fitting nostalgic ending to its first run with a chorus of the musical’s theme. 

With its run of 25 shows, the first-ever musical production to crossover from mainstream media (first in print, to film and television) earned rave reviews from both audiences and critics.

“Go see it! It’s very entertaining and you’re going to enjoy it,” said noted actor Mr. Christopher De Leon who played the character of Nico Escobar in the film version.

Other original cast members of Bituing Walang Ningning also gave praises to the new version of Nerrissa Cabral’s timeless story including veteran actor Mr. Joel Torre who played Garry Diaz in the film. “I was very entertained because I couldn’t figure out how they would make a movie into a musical play. It was very engaging, the songs are still there. It’s beautiful and it’s nice to see an iconic pop culture being translated into the stage,” he said. 

Critics likewise had good words for the pioneering theater effort in Philippine performing arts saying that its multimedia success is a testament to its appeal among Filipinos.

With much clamor from fans, Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical will come out form a two-month hiatus and resume for its second run on October 8 this year.

Bituing Walang Ningning is headlined by new discovery Monica Cuenco who was also a testament to how Filipinos embraced the new version of the classic in how she portrayed antagonist Dorina Pineda. 

Monica’s own life story even closely resembles her character as Dorina in how she first had her own struggles vending puto cheese at school prior to earning a spot to one of the most celebrated musicals this year. “I’m very happy, excited, and blessed for this opportunity. This is the star I’ve always been praying for,” shared Monica.

Catch the second run of Bituing Walang Ninging: THE Musical this October at Newport Performing Arts Theater. 

For more updates and other entertainment events at Resort World Manila, visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (632) 908-8833.

RWM is the first one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination in the Philippines that features recreational thrills, world-class performances, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options.

Conveniently located across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, RWM is an instant gateway to world-class Philippine hospitality and is home to three international lodging brands, (MAXIMS Hotel, MARRIOTT Hotel Manila, and REMINGTON Hotel), a three-story convention center housing the country’s largest hotel ballroom (Marriott Grand Ballroom), and two more hotels (SHERATON Hotel Manila and HILTON Hotel Manila) currently under construction. 

Also home to RWM is The NEWPORT Mall which features international luxury brands, state-of-the-art movie theaters the Newport Cinemas, an award-winning, ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT), and a cozy, 24/7 entertainment hub at Bar 360. Dine in one of almost 50 restaurant outlets offering a diverse selection of local and world cuisine, prepared by top Filipino and foreign chefs and paired with a wide selection of the finest wines and popular liquors.

Resorts World Manila— Nothing Compares.

Red Turnip Theater opens new season with musical play "33 Variations"

Tweet

Red Turnip Theater is back for another season! Their splashy debut season gave us the much talked about hits CLOSER and COCK, which was followed up with the critically-acclaimed sophomore season of RABBIT HOLE and last February’s TIME STANDS STILL.

All four productions have gone on to reap multiple awards and nominations from the Aliw and BroadwayWorld Philippine Awards, with COCK topping critics’ lists as the Best Play of 2014. True to form, this band of 5 actors (Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco, Rem Zamora) promises to push the envelope further as they show another facet to Red Turnip this year.

Opening the Third Season is 33 VARIATIONS by Moisés Kaufman. 

33 VARIATIONS tells the story of a renowned musicologist, Katherine Brandt, who is on a mission to discover why Beethoven composed the Diabelli variations, considered as one of his greatest masterpieces. Her daughter, Clara, is on a mission to find her place in her mother's world. Together, they maneuver through Beethoven's colorful life, their own challenging relationship, and somehow find their answers within his music. Shifting between periods and places, 33 VARIATIONS is the story of mothers and daughters and the legacies we long to leave behind.

33 VARIATIONS made its Broadway premiere in 2009, famously marking Jane Fonda’s return to the theater after a 46-year absence in the role of Katherine. It went on to garner several Tony Award nominations, including Best Play and Best Actress for Fonda. It had previously won the Edgerton New American Play Award in 2007 and the Steinberg American Theatre Critics Association Best New Play Award in 2008. 

Leading the Manila cast are theater icons Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino and Teroy Guzman. Fresh off her heralded turns in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Juego de Peligro” and the CinemaOne Original indie “Lorna”, Shamaine steps into the role of Katherine. This is sure to add to her list of memorable performances that already include Queen Elizabeth (“Mary Stuart”), Elizabeth Proctor (“The Crucible”), Masha (“Three Sisters”) and Jocasta (“Oedipus Rex”) just to name a few. 

Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino

Teroy Guzman plays Ludwig Van Beethoven. He is most recently known for his King Lear in the PETA adaptation “Haring Lear”, Tiyoy Berning in Tanghalang Ateneo’s “Rite of Passage” and the title role in Anton Juan’s “Screen: Macbeth”. Notorious for shying away from the spotlight, Red Turnip is glad to give Guzman center stage in his return to the contemporary drama.

Teroy Guzman

Theater stalwarts Paolo O’ Hara, Rem Zamora and Roselyn Perez make up the supporting cast. O’Hara (“Hedda Gabler”, “Titus Andronicus”, “Tatlong Mariya”) and Zamora (“The 39 Steps”, “Skin Deep”, “Glorious”), complete the Beethoven flashback scenes as Anton Diabelli and Anton Schindler respectively. Perez (“Equus”, “Frozen”, “The Normal Heart”) is Gertrude Ladenburger, Katherine’s stern and loyal confidante.

Paolo O’ Hara

Rem Zamora

Roselyn Perez

Rounding out the cast are fresh faces Ina Fabregas and Franco Chan. Fabregas is Clara, Katherine’s estranged daughter who slowly starts to fall in love with her mother’s male nurse, Mike Clark, played by Chan.

Ina Fabregas 

Franco Chan

33 VARIATIONS also marks Red Turnip’s first show to incorporate live music: critical moments in the play are underscored by the Diabelli Variations themselves, played live and on stage by Ejay Yatco (“Sa Wakas”, “Dani Girl”, “The Boy in the Bathroom”).

Ejay Yatco

Although he is mostly known as a composer and musical director, the 24 year-old has also competed at the 2013 World Championship of Performing Arts under the Classical Piano category, where he made it to the final 3 instrumentalists of the world and took home one gold and three silver medals. Yatco will be playing the Variations on a baby grand piano, provided by LYRIC.

Jenny Jamora makes her directorial debut.

Jenny Jamora

“We had decided on this show almost two years ago, we knew it was what we had wanted to open the Third Season with. This play has been simmering in my head since then. ’33 Variations’ is such an elegant, intricate piece of work and I am excited by the challenge of bringing it to life. I’ve also surrounded myself with a powerhouse cast and a young, energetic production team. I cannot wait for everyone to see what they’ve all brought to the table. It’s going to be unlike anything you’ve seen from Red Turnip so far.”

33 VARIATIONS opens July 24 and runs weekends until August 23 at Whitespace, Makati.

Tickets are available through TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph) or Red Turnip Theater (redturniptheater@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater)

Lighting Design / Technical Direction: John Batalla

Set Design: Ed Lacson, Jr.

Costume Design: Raven Ong

Sound Design: Teresa Barrozo

Choreography: PJ Rebullida

Dramaturgy: Mahar Mangahas

33 VARIATIONS is presented in cooperation with Whitespace, Lyric, FILA, and PLDT.

‬

“Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady” all set for a move-over engagement run on July 3

Tweet

Due to insistent public clamor, Manila’s newest theater group Dalanghita Productions, proudly brings back the highly-acclaimed “KUNG PAANO AKO NAGING LEADING LADY THE MUSICAL” in a move-over engagement beginning July 3 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.

“Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady” revolves story of two sisters named MELY and VIVA who both yearn to fulfill their dreams. Their sibling relationship and rivalry becomes more complicated due to an unsettled past and a budding romance, all in the context of an ongoing war between the superhero and supervillain teams. Being a maid is tough enough, but when Mely lands a job under a group of superheroes, she steps up to the unique challenge for the sake of her family. The musical takes us through the journey of the characters as each tries to find his/her place in the world where superheroes and supervillains exist. 

Based from Carlo Vergara’s one-act play and graphic novel of the same title, “ KUNG PAANO AKO NAGING LEADING LADY ” will once again prove how can an original Filipino musical combine comedy, drama, romance, action, deception, confessions, superheroes, supervillains, family and a maid in one fantastic show. 

The cast of “KUNG PAANO AKO NAGING LEADING LADY” boasts of the most talented and highly-respected artists coming from the theater, television and film industry. Topbilled to play the various roles are Bituin Escalante and Frenchie Dy (Mely – maid of Puwersa Pilipinas), Kim Molina and Natasha Cabrera (Viva – Mely’s younger sister), Markki Stroem and Hans Eckstein (Leading Man – newest member of Puwersa Pilipinas), Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and Astarte Abraham (Madre De Dios – leader of Puwersa Pilipinas).

Lending support are the multi-faceted actors from Manila’s different theater companies namely include May Bayot (Nanay – Mely and Viva’s mother), Giannina Ocampo (Nena Babushka), Caisa Borromeo (Windang Woman), Chesko Rodriguez (Popoy Pusakal), Jef Flores (Bazooka Man), Nar Cabico and Domi Espejo (Senyor Blangko – leader of Kayumanggilas), Red Nuestro (Maracas Marko), Red Concepcion and Joshua Cabiladas (Itak-Atak), Elliot Eustacio (Jeryc Sans Rival), Mikoy Morales and Rhenwyn Gabalonzo (Henyotic).

The ensemble is composed of Kakki Teodoro, Raflesia Bravo, Jem Baldisimo, Juancho Escoto, Miguel Ocampo, Francis Benjamin Jorvina, Alejandro Santos and Brian Sy. 

The artistic and creative teams of “Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady” are as follows: Carlo Vergara (Creator and Writer), Vincent de Jesus (Music and Lyrics), Chris Martinez (Director), Ejay Yatco (Musical Director) Mara Marasigan (Assistant Director), Tuxqs Rutaquio (Production Designer), John Batalla (Lighting Designer and Technical Director), Jethro Joaquin (Sound Designer), Nancy Crowe (Choreographer). 

The production team is composed of Ansis Aldrich Tan Sy, Pertee Briñas and Claudia Fernandez (Producers), John Aries Alcayaga (Stage Manager), Ayam Eckstein and Ria Pangilinan (Production Managers), Julius Martin Lunar and Kim Mendoza (Assistant Stage Managers), Toots Tolentino (Publicist), Prodbook PH (Social Media Manager), Chester Ng (Photography).

“Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady” is set to open on July 3 and will run for three weekends until July 23, 2014. The show starts promptly at 8 p.m. (Friday-Satiurday). Matinee shows (Saturday-Sunday) start at 3 p.m. 

All performances are at ONSTAGE, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.

For bulk reservations, show buys, and inquiries, call or text at mobile number 0998-5311389 or send email to dalanghitaproductions@gmail.com. For tickets, please call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph

Connect to Dalanghita Productions online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DalanghitaProductions

www.facebook.com/LeadingLadyTheMusical

Twitter: @dalanghitaprod

Instagram: @dalanghitaprod

‘Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical’ opens at Resorts World Manila

Tweet

“You’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard copy cat!” This immortal line lashed out in utter contempt by diva Lavinia Arguelles to loyal fan and newcomer Dorina Pineda just before the former throws a glass of wine at the latter’s face makes for one of the most memorable scenes in Filipino entertainment.

Who could ever forget the stellar performances of actresses Sharon Cuneta and Sarah Geronimo who played the role of Dorina, and their counterparts Cherie Gil and Angelika Dela Cruz as Lavinia in past productions?

After crossing over various media from serialized comics to film and then television, this iconic story of superstardom with the redemption and humility that it entails is now given new life by the country’s premiere entertainment and lifestyle destination, Resorts World Manila (RWM), as it presents Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical this June at Newport Performing Arts Theater.

This time, the classic story returns as a musical and is given a new twist with stage master Freddie Santos at the helm. Headlining the stage version of Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical are newcomer Monica Cuenco who plays the role of protagonist Dorina Pineda alongside pop star turned stage actor Mark Bautista (fresh from his stint in London’s “Here Lies Love”) as Nico Escobar, and stage veteran Cris Villonco as Lavinia Arguelles.

“Resorts World Manila has always been a staunch advocate of the Filipino performing arts,” shared RWM’s Chief Entertainment Officer Colin Kerr.

“The dream of staging this iconic Filipino story is a dream come true for RWM. Bituing Walang Ningning’s adaptation into many forms shows its novelty to audiences and we trust that every generation will again fall in love with its story through our theater production,” Kerr added. 

Featuring some of the most memorable songs in Original Pilipino Music penned by the legendary Willy Cruz as conducted by Maestro Rodel Colmenar with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical also casts award-winning stage performers Michael Stuart Williams and the First Lady of Philippine Musical Theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, together with reality talent search standout Ronnie Liang and popular TV personality John Nite, among others.

Catch Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical at Resorts World Manila every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8PM, and on Sundays at 3PM until July 18, 2015.

Tickets are now on sale at the Resorts World Manila Box Office at the ground floor of Newport Mall, and in all TicketWorld and TicketNet outlets. Visit www.rwmanila.com or call 908-8000 local 7700; 891-9999; and 911-5555 to buy your tickets to this Filipino musical.

RWM is the first one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination in the Philippines that features recreational thrills, world-class performances, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options.

Conveniently located across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, RWM is an instant gateway to world-class Philippine hospitality and is home to three international lodging brands, (MAXIMS Hotel, MARRIOTT Hotel Manila, and REMINGTON Hotel) with two more hotels (SHERATON Hotel Manila and HILTON Hotel Manila) currently under construction. 

Also home to RWM is The NEWPORT Mall which features international luxury brands, state-of-the-art movie theaters the Newport Cinemas, an award-winning, ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT), and a cozy, 24/7 entertainment hub at Bar 360. Dine in one of almost 50 restaurant outlets offering a diverse selection of local and world cuisine, prepared by top Filipino and foreign chefs and paired with a wide selection of the finest wines and popular liquors.

Amp all the thrills offered exclusively by Resorts World Manila by becoming a cardholder! Membership at RWM is free and provides an instant pass to numerous discounts, freebies, and exclusive invites to RWM events.

Resorts World Manila— Nothing Compares.

"The Normal Heart" is set to open on July 3

Tweet

"THE NORMAL HEART" is the 2011 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Play about the early rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s. During this period, a deadly epidemic was decimating North America’s gay population, killing people in the thousands, devastating an entire generation and changing the way we think about sex forever.

Written by playwright and activist Larry Kramer, "The Normal Heart" is set to open on July 3 (Fri) 8pm with succeeding limited performances on July 4 (Sat) 3pm & 8pm; July 5 (Sun) 3pm & 8pm at the Carlos P. Romulo auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Topnotch theater actor Bart Guingona, who also directs the play and shall essay the role of the very intense activist Ned Weeks who is both difficult and charming.

"The Normal Heart" shows with stage actors and tv personalities like Richard Cunanan, Topper Fabregas, TJ Trinidad, Roselyn Perez, Red Concepcion, Nor Domingo and Jef Flores who will take on multiple roles such as Craig, Grady and the Hiram Keebler City Hall representative.

Topper Fabregas and Bart Guingona in The Normal Heart

SYNOPSIS:

During the early 1980s, Jewish-American writer and gay activist Ned Weeks struggles to pull together an organization focused on raising awareness about the fact that an unidentified disease is killing off an oddly specific group of people: gay men largely in New York City. Dr. Emma Brookner, a physician and survivor of polio, as a consequence of which she is using a wheelchair, is the most experienced with this strange new outbreak and bemoans the lack of medical knowledge on the illness, encouraging the abstinence of gay men for their own safety, since it is unknown yet even how the disease is spread. Ned, a patient and friend of Brookner, calls upon his lawyer brother, Ben, to help fund his crisis organization; however, Ben's attitude toward his brother is to give merely passive support, ultimately exposing his apparent homophobia. For the first time in his life, meanwhile, Ned falls in love, beginning a relationship with New York Times writer Felix Turner.

The increasing death toll raises the unknown illness, now believed to be caused by a virus, to the status of an epidemic, though the press remains largely silent on the issue. A sense of urgency guides Ned who realizes that Ben is more interested in buying a two-million-dollar house than in backing Ned's activism. Ned explosively breaks off ties to his brother until Ben can fully accept Ned and his homosexuality. Ned next looks to Mayor Ed Koch's administration for aid in financing research about the epidemic that is quickly killing off hundreds of gay men, including some of Ned's personal friends.

Ned's organization elects as its president Bruce Niles, who is described as the "good cop" of gay activism, in comparison to Ned; while Bruce is cautious, polite, deferential, and closeted, Ned is vociferous, confrontational, incendiary, and supportive only of direct action. Tensions between the two are clear, though they must work together toward the promotion of their organization. Felix, meanwhile, reveals to Ned his belief that he is infected with the mysterious virus.

Although he continues to try to strengthen interactions with the mayor, Ned ruins his chances when his relentless and fiery personality appalls a representative sent by the mayor. Dr. Brookner gradually takes the role of activist herself, noting the epidemic's appearance in other countries around the world and even among heterosexual couples. 

Although she desperately asks for government funding for further research, she is denied; the rejection releases in her a passionate tirade against those who allow the persistence of an epidemic that is taking the lives of the homosexual individuals already marginalized by the government. In the meantime, Ned's conflict with Bruce comes to a head, and their organization's board of directors ultimately expels Ned from the group, believing his unstable vehemence to be a threat to the group's attempts at more calm-mannered diplomacy.

As Felix's condition worsens, he visits Ben Weeks in order to make his will and with a hope of reconciling Ben with his brother. Felix soon dies and Ned blames himself for Felix's death, lamenting that he did not fight hard enough to have his voice heard. The mortality rate from HIV/AIDS is shown to continue increasing as the stage fades to black.

Ticket prices for "THE NORMAL HEART" are:

Php1,500 orchestra center
Php1,000 orchestra side & loge
Php500 balcony. 

For ticket inquiries, please call Call 2150788 or 09175378313. Or call TicketWorld at 8919999.

Visit The Necessary Theatre on Facebook and follow @AAITNT on Twitter to check out other details of " THE NORMAL HEART ".

Award -winning play "The Normal Heart" all set to open on July 3

Tweet

AAI / The Necessary Theatre proudly announces the Asian premiere of "THE NORMAL HEART" - the 2011 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Play about the early rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s. During this period, a deadly epidemic was decimating North America’s gay population, killing people in the thousands, devastating an entire generation and changing the way we think about sex forever.

Written by playwright and activist Larry Kramer, "THE NORMAL HEART" is a largely autobiographical play that puts a human face to an issue often mired in numbers, facts and statistics as seen through the eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks, the openly gay founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group. He watches in horror as friends and lovers fall prey to a mysterious virus targeting his community.

For its Manila run, "THE NORMAL HEART" is set to open on July 3 (Fri) 8pm with succeeding limited performances on July 4 (Sat) 3pm & 8pm; July 5 (Sun) 3pm & 8pm at the Carlos P. Romulo auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Bart Guingona

Topnotch theater actor Bart Guingona (who also directs the play) shall essay the role of the very intense activist Ned Weeks who is both difficult and charming.

Richard Cunanan shall essay the role of Ben Weeks, Ned’s brother, a lawyer, conservative, successful, tolerant of gays, loves his brother.

Topper Fabregas plays the role of Felix, a closeted, attractive, NY Times reporter.

TJ Trinidad 

TV personality TJ Trinidad will play the role of Bruce, a very handsome, charismatic, closeted All-American banker, elected to lead the organization.

Roselyn Perez is Emma, the fiercely independent doctor and researcher. Opinionated. A fighter.

Red Concepcion plays the role of Tommy, the funny, outrageous Southern boy who is all the way out of the closet.

Nor Domingo will play the role of Mickey, the Jewish victim with a sense of humor.

Jef Flores will take on multiple roles such as Craig, Grady and the Hiram Keebler City Hall representative.

"THE NORMAL HEART" is a call to arms, chronicling Ned’s personal crusade for justice amidst resistance, intolerance and ignorance on the part of government, family and friends.

A fierce indictment of a world unwilling to confront the AIDS epidemic, " THE NORMAL HEART " polarized the gay community when it was first performed at New Yorkís Public Theatre in 1985 where it earned a Dramatists Guild Marton Award, the City Lights Award, the Sarah Siddons Award for the best play of the year, and a nomination for an Olivier Award. 

In 2000, the Royal National Theatre named The Normal Heart one of the 100 greatest plays of the 20th century.

After a successful 1985 Off-Broadway production, the play was revived in Los Angeles and London and again Off-Broadway in 2004. 

In 2011 The Normal Heart received its Broadway debut, earning rave reviews and a number of prestigious awards: Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Play, Best Featured Actress (Ellen Barkin) and Best Featured Actor (John Benjamin Hickey); Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Director of a Play and Outstanding Ensemble; the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Revival of a Play; and a New York Drama Critics Circle Special Citation.

The film adaptation of "THE NORMAL HEART" debuted on the HBO premium pay cable channel last May 25, 2014.

Amidst controversy, however, "THE NORMAL HEART" has endured, and today this document of recent history is as relevant and powerful as it ever was ñ a reminder that battles for justice, equality and dignity are not just things of the past.

Made possible by Taal Vista Hotel, the artistic team of "THE NORMAL HEART" is led by Bart Guingona directing, Baby Imperial and Coco Anne doing set design, Mark Philipp Espina doing projections, Don Taduran graphic design.

The production team is composed of Dodo Lim, producer; Mariko Yasuda, production manager; Ronah Rostata, stage manager.

"THE NORMAL HEART" is produced by The Necessary Theatre and Taal Vista Hotel with special arrangement from Samuel French Inc., New York, N.Y.

Ticket prices for "THE NORMAL HEART" are:

Php1,500 orchestra center
Php1,000 orchestra side & loge
Php500 balcony. 

For ticket inquiries, please call Call 2150788 or 09175378313. Or call TicketWorld at 8919999.

Visit The Necessary Theatre on Facebook and follow @AAITNT on Twitter to check out other details of " THE NORMAL HEART ".

Repertory Philippines brings sexy in new theatrical comedy

Tweet

Repertory Philippines returns for its second show of the year, with the sexy comedy Run For Your Wife. The West End hit by Ray Cooney follows John Smith, a taxi driver who secretly has two wives. The play premiered in London’s West End in 1983, and had a successful nine year run in the UK. After that, the show has been staged most notably in New York, Paris, Stockholm, and Manila.

“This is a timeless classic. Even if it’s an old play, it’s such a funny and well-written play,” shared Miguel Faustmann, who directs Rep’s third run of the show. “Ray Cooney is amazing with his comic humor. It’s just so funny.”

Run For Your Wife is a departure from Rep’s previous offering, 4,000 Miles. While 4,000 Miles is a dramatic examination of a young man’s relationship with his grandmother, Run For Your Wife is a hilarious tale of a man who has two wives and two households.

The play’s humor relies on the subject and a precise schedule of entrances and exits. This means pressure on theater veteran Jamie Wilson as Smith, who has to literally run across the stage throughout the entire show, with only two exits. As Faustmann described it, “timing is of crucial importance in this play.”

“John Smith is a pretty normal guy,” shared Wilson. “He just basically falls in love with two women, and sees the possibility of maintaining both of them. He loves the both of them for different reasons.”

His wives are portrayed by actresses Goldie Soon and Mikkie Bradshaw. Soon plays Mary, the motherly wife, while Bradshaw plays Barbara, the bombshell.

“She’s very prim and proper, like a proper Englishwoman,” said Soon. “She takes her duties or obligations as a wife seriously. She’s almost motherly towards John. Because she’s very proper, anything scandalous really shocks her.”

Soon reveals that the role is different to her as a person, and to prepare for the role, had to think about the woman Mary would be and slowly imbibing it. Bradshaw, on the other hand, only needed to be comfortable with her co-actors.

“I’ve been cast a lot in sexy roles, that involve very little clothing. If it’s a loud and promiscuous character, it’ll probably be given to me,” she said. “I don’t know how much preparing you could do for a role like that if it’s in you to be that vixen.”

Run For Your Wife hits Philippine theater at a time when mistresses have become a pop culture phenomenon. But while the films and teleseryes focusing on mistresses and second wives are dramatic, the play takes on a different approach: comedy.

“Despite all our conservatism, I think this kind of situation happens more than we know and more than we would like to admit,” shared Soon.

“It’s such a taboo subject here,” admitted Wilson. “But putting on a play and inviting people to watch it will shed some light and humor on what that kind of life is. With our teleserye culture, where’s the humor? There’s got to be humor there. There’s got to be some ridiculous situation that you can laugh at.”

“We’re not necessarily trying to make people think here. We’re just trying to give everyone a good time,” Bradshaw added.

During its West End run, The Daily Telegraph called it a triumph, while the New York Post promised “virtually continuous laughter.” Even Faustmann agrees. He said, “When we were reading it, we were dying of laughter. What more when you actually see it? It’s going to make your stomach hurt because of laughing too much.”

Joining Wilson, Soon, and Bradshaw are Jeremy Domingo as John’s best friend Stanley Gardner, Steven Conde as the flamboyantly gay neighbor Bobby Franklin, James Stacy as the suspicious Detective Sergeant Troughton, Paul Holme as the easygoing Detective Sergeant Porterhouse, and Mara Javier as the inquisitive journalist.

Run For Your Wife will be staged from April 10 to May 3, 2015 at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Ticket prices ranges from P400 to P800. For more details regarding Run For Your Wife, call Repertory Philippines at 843-3570 and book tickets through TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit their website at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Repertory Philippines launches Run For Your Wife

Tweet

As part of its 2015 lineup, Repertory Philippines launches Run For Your Wife, a sexy comedy written by Ray Cooney. Since its launch in 1983 at London’s West End, it had a successful nine year run in the UK. After that, the show has been staged most notably in New York, Paris, Stockholm, and Manila.

Run For Your Wife trails John Smith, a taxi driver in London who has two wives: one in Streatham and another in Wimbledon. After he gets mugged and winds up in the hospital, the police department from each district calls Mrs. Smith: Mary Smith and Barbara Smith.

The show has been praised for its hilarious storyline, complex choreography, and impeccable timing. The Daily Telegraph called it a triumph, while the New York Post promised “virtually continuous laughter.” 

Repertory’s production of Run For Your Wife is the third time the company has staged the show, the first in 1986, and the second in 2001. Miguel Faustmann, the taxi driver in the first two runs, returns as the director of this exciting play.

“Even if it’s an old play, it’s such a funny and well-written play,” said Faustmann. “Let’s just have a good time laughing because it’s better to laugh than to feel angry or sad. Humor, as they say, is the best medicine, right?”

Besides the biting wit of the script, one of the fun things to take note of for Run For Your Wife is the intricate blocking and choreography for the actors. The play relies on missed connections, or a precise schedule of entrances and exits, with one stage sharing the two homes of both wives.

Theater veteran Jamie Wilson plays John Smith, a physically demanding role that would literally see him running across the stage throughout the entire show, with only two exits.

“My challenge here is to get everything so linear. I should be confused as John Smith but not as Jamie Wilson,” he shared. “I’m literally running the whole time, answering phone calls, lying, and fabricating stories. I have to keep my secret from coming out. It’s exhausting but fun.”

He is joined by Goldie Soon, who plays the motherly wife Mary, and Mikkie Bradshaw, who plays the bombshell wife, Barbara. Rounding out the cast are Jeremy Domingo as John’s best friend Stanley Gardner, Steven Conde as the flamboyantly gay neighbor Bobby Franklin, James Stacy as the suspicious Detective Sergeant Troughton, Paul Holme as the easygoing Detective Sergeant Porterhouse, and Mara Javier as the inquisitive journalist.

The humor is distinctly British, but the cast and director believe that the premise of having two wives is a universal concept.

“It’s not accepted here but it’s done,” Wilson shared. “Remember the humor in it, not the taboo. Run For Your Wife shows the humor of this ridiculous situation. You could put the same situation, take all the humor out of it and be a heavy drama like a typical Filipino teleserye. But nobody has shown the humor in it. And this is what it’s showing.”

Run For Your Wife will be staged from April 10 to May 3, 2015 at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Ticket prices ranges from P400 to P800.

 

For more details regarding Run For Your Wife, call Repertory Philippines at 843-3570 and book tickets through TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit their website at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Eastwood City brings ‘Alice in Wonderland: A Children’s Musical’ as Easter Sunday Treat on April 5

Tweet

Easter Sunday is sure to become more magical and exciting for kids as Eastwood City brings ‘Alice in Wonderland: A Children’s Musical’ to Once Upon an Easter Wonderland. 

A world-class children’s musical production from Kids Acts Philippines, ‘Alice in Wonderland: A Children’s Musical’ will be staged on April 5 --- 6:30 p.m. at the Eastwood Mall Open Park as one of the main attractions of Eastwood City’s Once Upon an Easter Wonderland. 

‘Alice in Wonderland: A Children’s Musical’ is based from two books of Lewis Carroll’s “The Adventure of Alice in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass”. 

This version’s script and lyrics is by LUIGI NACARIO and music by EUGENE BELBIS.

Alice in Wonderland has captivated children all over the world for more than 150 years with its timeless and whimsical story that has been adapted into a number of different versions over the years. 

Alice created her world through beautiful things in her mind. She loves to discover stories in every living thing around her. Her story started under a huge tree in an English farmyard, young Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister reading a book without pictures and conversations. To her it was boring, so she was considering, in her mind whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies. 

Afterwards, she decided to rest under the tree and went to sleep. She dreamed of a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. Burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and was just in time to see it popped down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge. In a moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.

There begun her magical world of adventure in Wonderland. She met interesting creatures and characters like French Mouse, Duck, Dodo, Lory and Eaglet in the Pool of Tears; the Live Flowers, Caterpillar, The Grinning Cheshire Cat, the Cook, the Duchess, the Jolly Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, the crazy Mad Hatter, March Hare and Dormouse. In the Hearts Kingdom, she had fun time hunting Easter eggs with the King and Queen of Hearts until she became the witness in the kingdom’s court of who stole the beautiful easter eggs, where she made the Queen so furious. And Alice finally thought how she could go back to her real world from all these wonders. 

Discover how Lewis Carroll’s literary work comes alive on stage featuring The CampArt Kid Actors (ages 7-15 tears old) of Kids Acts Philippines namely: Ella Gonzalez, Noel Comia Jr., Hyacinth Leonado, Allen Orolfo, Justin Orolfo, Angel Yu, Jewel Yu, Shanelle Comia, Woersha Calderon, Van Crisologo, Liam Crisologo, Nathan Flores, Ivan Jacosalem, Liza Marcos, Walline Calderon, Joshua Ang, Gab Hernandez, Princess Manaloto, Bella Engalla, and Raven Orolfo.

Those looking to be part of Alice’s magical adventure to Wonderland through this enchanting musical for the kids by the kids can get an Easter Wonderland Passport (Storybook) to get seats at the venue. 

The passport also entitles bearers to different activities and storybook worlds of Once Upon an Easter Wonderland including Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and the Pirates, Cinderella’s Royal Ball, Pinocchio’s Toyland, Hansel and Gretel’s Candy Forest, Mulan’s Adventure and Jack and the Beanstalk. Kids can also enjoy other fantastic fairy tale attractions and activities such as Storybook Parade, Giant Easter Egg Exhibit, Candy Buffet, Royal Makeover, Easter Egg Painting and many more!

Alice in Wonderland: A Children’s Musical’ is the story of a child’s world of wonders that will certainly be a fantastic Easter treat that all families will enjoy. 

For more information on Alice in Wonderland: A Children’s Musical and Eastwood City’s Once Upon an Easter Wonderland, call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888, 709-0888 or 0917-8380111 or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.

“Mad About Mozart: Sex, Seduction, Death, and Transcendence” all set on April 22

Tweet

In the theater, the term ‘Black Box’ refers to a space devoted where daring experiments and new visions are tested through performance. Performers who choose to go and perform in a black box are usually the ones with the most open hearts and sincere desire to hone their talent. 

With the success of Philippine Opera Company’s Young Artists Black Box Series now on its second season, the audience will witness a bolder and braver take on Mozart’s masterpieces in “Mad About Mozart: Sex, Seduction, Death, and Transcendence”, this time in collaboration with RankOne Productions.

Mad About Mozart: Sex, Seduction, Death, and Transcendence — will present excerpts from the seminal operas and oratorios of Mozart integrated with dance, stream of consciousness narrative, and mixed media. All performers - singers, dancers, actors, and musicians - will be integrated with the audience for an all-immersive 360-degree black box theatre experience. Mozart’s music is alternatingly sacred and profane, exploring the perennial conflict between the id, the ego, and the super ego. Ultimately, the programming of the scenes will demonstrate that we can attain a state of classical ‘balance’ and inner peace by exploring the layered dimensions of dark and light. 

As RankOne President/ Executive Creative Director Jon Meer Vera Perez says, the show is, "An exploration of the subversive themes in the seminal operatic works of Mozart; by journeying into the shadow world does one enter into the full grace of Light and Resurrection." The music will be presented in a contemporary setting, with modern and contemporary imagery, to challenge our perceptions of classical music in the 21st century. Mozart’s themes, both the sacred and the profane, are as relevant in 2015 as they were in 1791 when he died, giving us extraordinary insight into how we manage our lives through the choices that we make, and how those actions affect our relationships and the world around us. Ultimately, we only find peace by acknowledging our weaknesses, resolving to learn from our mistakes, and inevitably surrendering to the healing power of forgiveness and eternal Love.

Karla Gutierrez, Philippine Opera Company's Artistic and Managing Director (soprano)

The Young Artists Series provides a professional training ground for young classical singers in the art and craft of stage performance. It gives them the opportunity to integrate singing with stage acting, diction, repertoire, script analysis, dance & movement, and understand better the use of production elements. The goal is to furnish them with a solid foundation on which to build a sustainable performance career. 

“We are very happy and excited to be collaborating with RankOne Productions because we have the same vision and objectives in bringing opera to a different perspective and to attract a wider audience to appreciate classical music especially opera. We were surprised with the result of the YAS concept we didn’t expect it to “evolve” and get “bigger”. Before it just started as a soiree with only 20 people in the hall then we decided to enhance the programs by engaging the artists in more creative work now we have more than a hundred who watches YAS. ”, Says Philippine Opera Company’s Artistic and Managing Director, Karla Gutierrez.

RankOne Productions, a full mixed media production house, is one of the most dynamic players in multimedia productions in the Philippines and internationally. RankOne strives to provide innovative solutions by which a vision can retain its artistic merit while gaining greater commercial value, working tirelessly to provide alternative creative and technical solutions by which their clients can effectively launch their creative ideas into the full power of the digital age. 

Tricia Amper Jimenez

Joseleo Logdat, Grand Prix Winner of the 6th Yokohama International Music Competition in Japan (baritone)

Krissan Manikan, mezzo-soprano

Gabri Dolor Panlilio, soprano

Nomer Son, bass

Jurgen Unterburg,tenor

Antonio Ferrer, tenor

Jon Meer Vera Perez, bass baritone

International artist Stephanie Reese, soprano

Jonathan Wagner, baritone

 Lorraine Lisen, soprano

“Mad About Mozart” stars Karla Gutierrez, Tricia Amper Jimenez, Lorraine Lisen, Joseleo Logdat, Bernadette Mamauag, Krissan Manikan, Gabri Dolor Panlilio, Nomer Son, Jurgen Unterburg with RankOne guest performers Christine Crame, Anton Ferrer, Wesley Pereira, Jon Meer Vera Perez, Stephanie Reese and Jonathan Wagner.

"MAD ABOUT MOZART" will be held on April 22, 7 pm at the Opera Haus (3657 Bautista St. Palanan, Makati).

Directed by award-winning director and writer, Floy Quintos with Jon Meer Vera Perez as Music Director and Photography/Creative Design by Ash Reginald Evasco.

For inquiries call Philippine Opera Company at 822-9609 or 0917-5272880 or follow us on Facebook.