Pangarap Ng Isang Gabi sa Gitnang Tag-Araw theater review

I first saw an interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Night Dream in a stage production done by Ateneo theater guild in the Metropolitan Theater back in high school as a school requirement. Seeing students doing theater made it appealing for me which why I am now writing reviews for theatrical productions.

The four lovers: Helena, Lysander Hermia and Demetrius played by Lhorvie Nuevo,Marco Viana, Antonette Go and JV Ibesate.

I also saw the movie version that sets the Shakespeare comedy in a 19^th Century Italy that stars Kevin Kline, Michelle Pffeifer, Rupert Everett, Calista Flockhart, Christian Bale, Stanley Tucci and more. In the stage productions, I already watch Tanghalang Pilipino interprets Shakespeare play in different worlds like World War II Germany and Kabuki theater style.

This year marks the 400^th death anniversary of The Bard and what better way to give tribute than doing one of his comedies “The Midsummer’s Night Dream. Before you read my review, read my media launch conference post here.

Entitled in Tagalog as “Pangarap Sa Gabi Ng Gitnang Tag-Araw”, Director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna interpreted the comedy as a contrast to chaos and order. The stage design shows the castle as orderly and the forest below as chaotic. It is the balance of chaos and order. After all, there would be no order if there’s no chaos.

Even the costumes show order and chaos. The kingdom of Theseus is well-dressed with a touch of Westernized clothing while the female cast are dressed in traditional Greek as it was supposed to be. The faerie realm is the mixed up of the two which is also chaotic.

But to add more chaos to it, this is the first time I watch a play that is totally bilingual. Some lines were in English and some in Tagalog. But the story is quite clear. Comparing to the many versions I’ve seen, this is the best and the funniest. Even though Midsummer’s night is a comedy, it is still best to be seen for R-13 audience. It can be compared to sexy comedy. The characters of this Shakespeare piece are all sensual.

What makes this production unique is the immersive experience. Forget the traditional set up of theater where the stage is upfront. The stage is right in front of the audience and the actors can pass by your seat in the duration of the play.

For Mr. Siguion-Reyna, he would love to do Shakespeare again. He would like to do Corolianus because it is a political piece and very timely. Watch Pangarap Ng Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-Araw  with Audie Gemora as Oberon, Jackie Lou Blanco as Hypolita, Liesl Batucan as Titania on a limited run at CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute (side entrance of CCP). For more theatrical stage productions, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook .

Tanghalang Pilipino's Pangarap Sa Isang Gabi Nag Gitnang Tag-Araw

This year, the Bard; William Shakespeare, is celebrating his 400^th death anniversary and what else could be the better way to do than produce one of his plays in his honour. Tanghalang Filipino, CCP’s resident theatre group is presenting the Pangarap Sa Isang Gabi Ng Gitnang Tag-Araw; Tagalog version of one of a Shakespeare comedy Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Teaser: Confrontation of Titania and Oberon(played by Liesl Batucan and Audie Gemora)

Tanghalang Pilipino is known for mashing up classic story material with a twist. I have seen two Shakespeare works of TP like Macbeth where they themed it like the Japanese Kabuki theatre and The Merchant of Venice entitled Der Kaufmann, which is set during the time of the Holocaust. Der Kaufmann earned Gawad Buhay awards.

TP is also privilege to have national artist for theatre and literature the late Rolando Tinio to use his translation for this production and Mr. Carlos Siguion-Reyna to direct this Shakespeare comedy. Mr. Siguion-Reyna is using the comedy as comparison of chaos and order. The Theseus’ court symbolizes order and the forest symbolizes chaos. When I say chaos, it does not mean disorderly because there should be balance between order and chaos.

What make Shakespeare’s work applicable in today’s modern times are the universal themes of the stories that transcends time periods. You can see that most situations in Shakespeare also used in telenovelas as well as popular culture.  I even remember a scene from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, where the Klingon Chancellor Gorkon said that “You will not experience Shakespeare until you read him in original Klingon and General Chang quoted “taH pag taHbe” (“To be or not to be) from Hamlet Act 3 Scene 1. This is paralleled from history where the Nazi propaganda claimed that Shakespeare is their own.

Shakespeare also transcends boundaries.  The women characters are also empowered. Jackie Lou Blanco plays the part of Hypolyta, the queen of the Amazons; says that her character even though was abused was able to soften the heart of Theseus. Ms. Blanco last performed for TP in Mga Ama, Mga Anak. Playing the part of Oberon the king of fairies, Audie Gemora admits this is first non-singing Tagalog play and his first Shakespeare.

The play will be held at CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute. It may be small and cramped but it is my favourite among CCP Tanghalans. It gives an intimate and immersive theatre experience because the cast is up close and you might never know that sometimes, the actor/s might be sitting right beside you before entering the scene.

Not since Zsazsa Zaturnah the musical, it is also bilingual. Some lines will be English and some in Tagalog. Pangarap sa Isang Gabi Ng Gitnang Tag-Araw starts its run on September 30, 2016. For more theatrical updates, follow this blog and like 

Tanghalang Pilipino presents PangarapsaIsang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-Araw

Press release

Tanghalang Pilipino ushers in its second production for the 30^th season Transformance with the enchanting PangarapsaIsang Gabi ngGitnang Tag-Araw.

PangarapsaIsang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-Araw, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic, A Midsummer Night’s Dream from Rolando Tinio’s Filipino translation, follows one of Shakespeare’s most popular works. The comedy centers on the events surrounding the marriage of Duke Theseus of Athens to the Amazon queen Hippolyta, and follows the stories of a band of fairies, a troupe of players and an Athenian love triangle between Hermia, her lover Lysander and suitor Demetrius. 

In this unique adaptation by Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, the audience will experience the powerful juxtaposition of two worlds—Athens, the home of the powers-that-be, rigid and structured, vis-à-vis the home of enchanting creatures, the forest,a place where unbridled passions run free.

“Watch Pangarap and experience a story of virtual love, rejection, and emotional transformation,”invites Nanding Josef, Artistic Director of Tanghalang Pilipino.

The cast includes Philippine theater’s most brilliant stars like Audie Gemora (Oberon), Liesl Batucan (Titanya), Jackie Lou Blanco (Hipolita), Skyzx Labastilla (Hipolita), Teroy Guzman (Teseo), Rafa Siguion-Reyna (Tisbe, Flute, and Ada), and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actor’s Company. 

Notable members of the artistic staff include Rody Vera (Dramaturg), Toym Imao (Set Designer), John Batalla (Lights Designer), TJ Ramos (Sound Designer), and James Reyes (Costume Designer).

Tanghalang Pilipino is the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Established in 1987, it has successfully produced more than 200 shows locally and internationally.

PangarapsaIsang Gabi ngGitnang Tag-Araw runs at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on these dates and times:

September 30, 2016 (Friday) – 8PM

October 1, 2016 (Saturday) – 3PM & 8PM

October 2, 2016 (Sunday) – 3PM

October 7, 2016 (Friday) – 8PM

October 8, 2016 (Saturday) – 3PM & 8PM

October 9, 2016 (Sunday) – 3PM

October 14, 2016 (Friday) – 8PM

October 15, 2016 (Saturday) – 3PM & 8PM

October 16, 2016 (Sunday) – 3PM

For more information, contact Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, Inc. at (02) 832-1125 loc. 1620/1621| Direct line: (02) 822 6920 |Lorelei Celestino: (02) 915 607 2275 

Music, Shadow Play and Puppetry in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Prinsipe Munti”

By Regina De Vera

Music, shadow play and puppetry provide the spectacle for the adventures of Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Prinsipe Munti” – Layeta Bucoy’s adaptation of the beloved children’s book, “Le Petit Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. A little prince leaves his planet and goes off into an adventure, discovering that “it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”  In this staging, audiences will witness actors performing live mixed with puppetry led by Ms. Teta Tulay of the Anino Shadowplay Collective together with original music by Toni Muñoz and lighting design by John Batalla. Karilyo, the shadowplay group of DLS-College of Saint Benilde’s Office of Culture and the Arts are the pupper creators and shadowplay mentors. Micko Laurente and Allen Immanuel Ryce (“AIR”) alternate as “Prinsipe Munti” with the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company playing multiple roles. Tuxqs Rutaquio provides overall direction.

“Prinsipe Munti” runs from November 28 – December 7, 2014 with shows at 10AM, 2PM and 6PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). Tickets (P600, P800 and P1,000) are available through Tanghalang Pilipino: 832-1125 loc 1620 / 1621 (0905-254-4930/0908-894-1384) and Ticketworld: 891-9999 / www.ticketworld.com.ph. For blurbs, promos and updates, please visit www.facebook.com/tanghalangpilipino. 

Kleptomaniacs stage production review

Kleptomaniacs is a rap musical being stage currently during the weekends at CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino(Little Theater). The situation is about a squatter community but it deals with the social issues about who are the real "kleptomaniacs" in the society.

http://instagram.com/marktemplar

The conversation is done in a fliptop manner because it suited the setting of the story. What really impresses me was the performance of the child actor plays a significant role in the production. The stage design is also impressive as well because it really look like they lived in makeshift shacks.

The production is very unique and the message is quite clear for social awareness. I recommend to watch this before it ends July 28. For more stage reviews, follow this blog or like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Nick Joaquin's Mga Ama Mga Anak by Tanghalang Pilipino

I first heard about Nick Joaquin when I played a part in an excerpt from his play, Portrait of An Artist As A Filipino for a class act. Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater guild of the Cultural Center of The Philippines, will do another work of Joaquin, Mga Ama Mga Anak.

The production gathers cast of old and new talents for this play. Usually, Joaquin stories are originally in English but it was no conflict when it is translated to Tagalog for theater purposes. The cast includes Robert Arevalo, Celeste Legaspi, Jackie Lou Blanco, Spanky Manikan, Nanding Josef, Cris Villongco and more from TP.

Mga Ama Mga Anak opens this month at CCP Little Theater. More details soon. Visit and like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

TANGHALANG PILIPINO MOUNTS MARIO O’HARA’S “STAGESHOW”

After the successful run of its stage play, “Walang Kukurap”, Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) pays tribute to the stage artists of yesteryears through its 3^rd theater season offering entitled “Stageshow”, a grand musical play slated on October 10-21, 2012, 3pm and 8pm, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) .

Written by the late veteran TV, film, and theatre actor, director-playwright  Mario O’Hara, Stageshow is a poignant and emotionally charged play which focuses on the plight of a small group of dedicated Filipino artists during the twilight years of their careers.  The play also takes us into a glimpse of a lost era in Philippine cultural history-the stageshows called the bodabil and where these artists are torn between their love for the art and economic survival. The play also touches on the reality that the torch-bearers of any culture are its artists and the tendency to discard the old for the new often comes at the expensive and irreparable cost of losing one’s soul. 

 Adapted from the American ‘vaudeville’, bodabil was a popular entertainment genre from 1920s to mid-‘60s, which spawned legendary talents like Dolphy, Bayani Casimiro, Rogelio dela Rosa, German Moreno, Sylvia La Torre, Pilita Corrales, Elizabeth Ramsey, Oscar Obligacion, Chichay, the tandem of Pugo and Tugo, among others. It featured a hodgepodge of musical numbers, short-form comedy and dramatic skits, often staged inside the theatres of Manila.

“The play captures the essence of the people behind a stageshow,” says Fernando “Tata Nanding” Josef, TP’s artistic director. Tata Nanding divulged that Mario O’Hara wanted to illustrate how these stage shows and their artists evolved from popularity to obscurity.

Mario O’Hara’s Stageshow topbills the talent and versatility of TP veterans--stage/film/TV actors Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino and Nonie Buencamino, with Liesl Batucan and Roeder Camañag who will act as alternates. Joining the cast are Angelina Kanapi, Mae Paner, May Bayot de Castro, Rayna Reyes, Rody Vera, Lou Veloso, Gie Onida, Pam Hundana, Gino Ramirez, Jonathan Tadioan, April Iñigo, Tara Cabaero, Hazel Maranan, Kaye Garcia, Agnes Sarreal, Anthony Falcon and Aaron Ching.

Directed by Chris Millado, Tanghalang Pilipino will also honor these stageshow  artists in a “Gabi ng Pagkilala sa mga Beterano ng Stageshow” on October 13, 2012. The play is also an official entry to the National Theater Festival in November.  

Production staff also includes Jeffrey Hernandez (composer/arranger/musical director), Denisa Reyes (choreographer), Tuxqs Rutaquio (set designer), Brenda Fajardo (costume designer), Katsch Catoy (lights designer/technical director), TJ Ramos (sound engineer), King Catoy (videographer), Mia Bolaños (vocal coach), Tony Casimiro (tap dance instructor) and Yette Valenzuela (hair and make-up designer).

For ticket reservations, group sales, sponsorships, and special performances, please contact Ms. Cherry Bong Edralin at 0917-750-0107 / 0918-959-3949, 832-1125 local 1620/1621. Tickets are also available at Ticketworld at 891-9999 and at the CCP Box Office. Visit the official TP website at www.tanghalangpilipino.org.ph for other information.