In the span of a year, Red Turnip Theater has
made its mark in the Philippine theater scene. The band of five actors that
make up Red Turnip (Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris
Villonco and Rem Zamora) wanted to come up with a maiden season that would
re-introduce Philippine audiences to the straight play while putting their own
stamp on the theatrical experience. Their first production, “Closer”, was a
bruising and honest take on modern day relationships and their follow-up,
“Cock”, was a biting comedy about sexual identity. Both productions went on to
acclaim with critics and audiences alike.
The five are back with their second season and
are excited to kickstart it with the 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner, “Rabbit Hole”.
Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, “Rabbit Hole” was a Broadway hit that garnered
several Tony nominations and a win for its lead actress, Cynthia Nixon. It was
then adapted into a critically-acclaimed film with Nicole Kidman in 2010 and
earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
The story revolves around Becca and
Howie, a couple who lose their four year old son to a car accident, and the
grief that slowly threatens to tear them apart. Shifting between humour and
heartbreak, “Rabbit Hole” explores the way people deal with loss and how this
affects those closest to them; their families. Variety calls it “an
intensely emotional examination of grief, laced with wit, insightfulness,
compassion, and searing honesty”.
The Manila premier has film and television star
Agot Isidro in the role of Becca, with theater veteran Michael Williams as her
husband Howie. This production marks Agot’s return to theater after notable
turns in Tanghalang Pilipino's "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah", Atlantis
Productions' "Baby" and Trumpets' "Honk!". Williams' long
list of credits include starring roles in "Jekyll and Hyde",
"Les Miserables" and "Man of La Mancha" for Repertory
Philippines.
Agot Isidro: I'm a little
nervous about going back to theater 'cause it has been seven years since my
last production (Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah). But I am excited at the same time, because
I know it will be a welcome and enriching break after years of TV work. I am
especially on the edge about 'Rabbit Hole' because this is my first straight
play. With musicals, there's a certain comfort in knowing that, at some parts,
I burst into song. So a straight play is all new to me. But I am looking
forward to the process.
Michael Williams: I am very
much looking forward to working with Red Turnip on their production of ‘Rabbit
Hole’. It’s an amazing script and based on their previous productions, no doubt
this one will also be handled with a high degree of sensitivity.
Joining Isidro and Williams are Che Ramos-Cosio (Tatlong
Maria, Dogeaters) as Becca’s sister Izzy and Sheila Francisco (South
Pacific, August Osage County) as their mother Nat. Dulaang UP's Ross Pesigan (Ang Nawalang
Kapatid, Titus Andronicus) rounds off the eclectic cast as Jason, the young
boy responsible for the tragic loss of their son.
Topper
Fabregas makes his directorial debut:
Apart from it being a brilliant script, we Turnips also chose ‘Rabbit
Hole’ as our second season opener because were hungry to show a different side
to us. ‘Closer’ and ‘Cock’ defined our first season as these fantastic,
in-your-face experiences. ‘Rabbit Hole’ takes the (deceptively) gentler
approach but will knock you out just the same. It’s also a great showcase for
its cast, and you don’t get any better than these five actors. We are excited
to have them on board. We are also very thrilled to be back at Whitespace!
"Rabbit Hole" opens on August 1, 2014
and runs all weekends of August. Log on to
https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater for complete show schedules.
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)
CREATIVE STAFF
Direction: Topper Fabregas
Technical Direction &
Lighting Design: John Batalla
Set Design: Faust Peneyra
Sound Design: Jethro
Joaquin
Venue: Whitespace is
located at 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension),
Makati.
No comments:
Post a Comment