Red Turnip's Season Ender Constellations

Have you ever wondered if you think different decisions on what you said or done? Will it make your life better or make it worse? This is what Red Turnips is going to stage in their latest production of Constellations by Nick Payne.

The story centered with only two characters. A boy and a girl. They met and fell in love. After that, there are multiple scenarios that you won't expect. It may appear the conversation is repeated but it will be different.

It reminded me of Choose Your Own Adventure books series that I enjoyed during my high school days. The sudden shift of scenarios may be confusing if you try connect it. To understand what is happening, you only need to be a spectator and relax while watching.

Although it has the element of metaphysics whether you believe in the multiverse or not, this is not a sci-fi story. It is not a story about relationships, but also choices and destiny. For example, it made me think that if I was still involve in my previous relationship, will I be happy like I am now?

If you don't have any idea what I am talking about when I mention multiverses, I suggest you watch Sliders, Fringe or the latest season of CW's Flash. For more features about stage productions, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Cris Villonco and JC Santos are the two performers and it is directed by Rem Zamora.

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." - Paulo Coelho

THIS IS OUR YOUTH: A review of a stage production

How do you describe our youth? The answer may vary on a specific person. The parents now may have their own answer as well as the children. The average age bracket may vary but it ranges from teen years to twenties. This bracket may vary.

For the story, it only focused on three people in the 80's. We have two friends who are college dropouts who happens to be junkies and trying to make something out selling stuff in New York. There's also one girl who may affect the two friends in a different way. You may think there's a love triangle but this is not even a love story.

For the three characters, you can say that they are young adults. They are at this age like you are no longer can relate with younger youths but not old enough to be associated with older adults. This usually happens when the problems of the young adults are different to any age group in between.

Why should you see this play? One, this may help you understand young adults better. Two, it is funny that is intended for at least twenty-something audience.  The 80's New York is no different from Metro Manila setting. New York also has neighborhoods similar to Tondo and Wall Street is like our Ayala Avenue.

Even though the actors are dominantly Filipino, they just fit in the roles since their characters' situation is universal. New York is dominantly an immigrant city. This production is iconic in manner of speaking because it casts popular film and TV actors on stage. It premiered 1996 in Off-Broadway starring Mark Ruffalo, Josh Hamilton, and Missy Yager.

What makes this production unique was that it was an immersing experience when they staged it in nontraditional manner like they are performing just in front of you and like you are really inside their flat or apartment unit.

The Red Turnip production stars Nicco Manalo, Jef Flores and Cindy Lopez and directed by Topher Fabregas. This Is Our Youth stages at A-Space Venue in Makati. For more theater productions and reviews, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook. Kenneth Logerman is the author of the play.

RED TURNIP THEATER OPENS NEW SEASON WITH‘MUSICAL’ PLAY “33 VARIATIONS”

PRESS RELEASE

            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. 

            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.

            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.

            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.

            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”). 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.

“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.

RED TURNIP THEATER SETS RE-RUN OF "COCK" FROM OCT. 3 - 5

Release Material

 John, M, W and F are back.

            After making a splash during its Manila premiere last February, Red Turnip Theater is bringing back the Olivier Award-winning play "Cock" for a limited one weekend re-run this October. Mike Bartlett's comedy about sexual identity was a surprise smash, playing to packed houses and critical acclaim. It also marked the directorial debut of Rem Zamora who created a stir with his "innovative" (PEP.ph) and "creative" (Business World) staging; a bare stage with only his four actors and Bartlett's witty script.

            REM ZAMORA: "We always knew we had a fantastic script. When we first read Cock, I was on the floor. It was hilarious. It was also a little painful, cause it was so real. What I didn't expect was the huge reception we got after we opened. There was so much buzz! Our houses filled up quickly and people really took to the show. People talked and debated over it. In fact, people are still talking about it! That's why we knew we had to bring it back. Everyone who had come to the show wanted to see it again and those who had missed it the first run were begging for a re-run."

            "Cock" centers around a man (John) who must choose between his gay lover (M) and the woman (W) he's slowly falling in love with. Adding confusion to the mix is M's father (F) who is hell-bent on preserving his son's homosexual relationship. The four decide to meet for an ill-fated dinner and that's when all hell breaks loose. The show has been hailed as "a 90 minute whirlwind of language and deft theatrics, a human battle royale..." (The Philippine Star)

            The "year's fiercest quartet of actors" (Philippine Daily Inquirer) have returned to reprise their critically-heralded performances. Topper Fabregas is John, Niccolo Manahan is M, Jenny Jamora is W, and Audie Gemora completes the cast as F.

            JENNY JAMORA: "I love how people became so invested in our characters. We would have houses where audiences would heckle and cheer out loud. People would choose sides and root for certain characters. I'd have people come up to me after a show and tell me that they either wanted to hug me...or punch me in the face (but in a good way daw). We perform the show in the round and we actually had an audience member who came to the show four times because he wanted to see the show from all angles. As an actor, I've never been part of something that's generated this much discussion. It's very rewarding."

            REM ZAMORA: "I think one of the main reasons as to why the show is such a hit is because the script is brilliant. People could relate to the situation and these characters, regardless of their sexual preference. It also doesn't hurt that I've been blessed with an amazing cast who've brought the script to places I never thought possible. People have never seen a show and a cast quite like this one. I mean, where else would you find a show that's got a hilarious, show-stopping sex scene where none of the actors take off any of their clothes ?".

            "Cock" has brought Red Turnip Theater one step closer to achieving its vision of bringing more straight plays with an experiential angle to the local scene. It has also stayed true to what this company is gaining a reputation for- fantastic, ensemble acting coupled with great writing. The success of its first run could only be a testament to the growing market for this kind of theater.

            COCK is a comedy… with bite. No props, scenery or furniture. Just actors, sharp dialogue and some clever staging. All essential. Absolutely Red Turnip. 

            Direction by Rem Zamora, technical direction and lighting design by John Batalla, set design by Denis Lagdameo and sound design by Jethro Joaquin.

            COCK will be staged at Whitespace — 2314 Chino Roces Ave.  Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati — on OCTOBER 3, 4 and 5 (Friday, 9 p.m.; Saturday / Sunday, 4 pm. and 8 p.m.)

           

            For tickets, call Ticket World at tel. 891-9999 or Red Turnip Theater -redturniptheater@gmail.com.

‘RABBIT HOLE’ LAUNCHES RED TURNIP THEATER’S SECOND SEASON

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.

COCK(Stage Performance by Red Turnip) review

Despite the title, the story is not about a specific body part but how complicated relationship is. The story revolves around John, who lives with his gay partner when something unexpected happened when he fell in love with a woman.

The play was done in a non-traditional manner. Instead of the traditional theater set up, the staging was done in a more engaging manner. There is no stage in front instead we see a curved fence on the four corners resembling a cock pit on a center where the audience is watching on bleachers on each side surrounding the cock pit.

What makes it more effective to watch is that you are engaging in the situation not just an observer but also you can see yourself in the characters and you can side with whomever you can relate to. That's the best part. 

Besides John, the other characters are nameless and can be identified by the audience as M(Man: John's partner), W(Woman), and F(Father of M). In this manner, the audience can place himself or herself in the characters shoes which the author of the play intended.

Although the content of the dialogue is for mature audiences, there is no nudity in the duration of the play. It may appear graphic but it was done in an artistic manner. The play started last Thursday February 27. For a limited time only, catch it at White Space in Makati.

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