RepPhils' August: Osage County review

Story: Dark side of a family drama about the struggles of the Weston family after a death in the family.

Review: During the run of Repertory Phils.' season opener, Wait Until Dark, it was quite unusual to have a crime-thriller to start the new year. During the time, we were oriented with August: Osage County. Although they didn't do an excerpt because they felt it wouldn't give it justice and it might spoil it away, they just give us some hints why we should see it. Leaving us in anticipation until the press night.

Osage County is in the state of Oklahoma and is part of the Native American territory specifically, the Osage Nation of the Midlands. The title itself is  taken from a poem by Howard Starks. 

The play itself is as long as 3 hours and half but you will never notice because the story engages you. You will be confronted with the characters' different issues. Even though it is set in the American Midlands, the Westons exhibits Pinoy family values though dysfunctional. If this was shown in Pilipino, it may have been a soap opera. If Pinoys should do a telenovela, it should follow the example of August: Osage County.

Like I said, it has values all Filipinos can relate. But be prepared. Even though it has some comical moments, it is a roller coaster of emotions that may disturb you. or make you see the realization. I also got see my situation in one of the characters but I can't tell without spoiling the story.

Baby Barredo's performance as Violet Weston, the matriarch of the family will be the center point of the story and it is good to see her perform again on stage. Although there are some performances that has alternates in characters, you will be assured that the story won't be any different. Each actor has a different take on the characters they play. For me, the ending is the perfect closure for the story.

I am fortunate to watch this because it is a rare occasion for Chris Millado of CCP directs for Repertory. He has a specific genre he wants to be involved in and when he was offered August: Osage County, he immediately accepts.

Some of you may have seen the movie version starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts but it is a known comparison that the movie may not give you the same connection and experience that you will see in staged performances.

Catch August: Osage County at Onstage in Greenbelt 1 this season and will run until March 16. Contact TicketWorld at 891-9999 for schedule of shows or check out www.RepertoryPhilippines,com

RepPhils' version of August: Osage County starts February 21 at Onstage

August Osage County is the second production of Repertory Phils. this season. For the first time, they invited Chris Millado of Tanghalang Pilipino to direct the play for Rep. He described it as a Pandora's Box because it is terrifyingly real to all especially Filipinos.

You will relate to the experiences like the Filipino families you see in soap operas. But August Osage County will show you how a telenovela should be done. Watching it will be like a roller coaster horror ride.

Although there was no excerpt shown, it was already clear from them that it will be really interesting. There will be lots of swearing and choreographed fights. You may not like it but the story will either transform you or you will see yourself in that situation.

Chris Millado agreed to direct this because it fit his specific genre that he wants in a story. Baby Barredo returns to stage in this production along with Ms. Saigon alumni Pinky Amador. August Osage County runs in from February 21 to March 16 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1.