BlueREP at 25 --- A SILVER ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

Press release

To celebrate the past twenty-five years, the Ateneo Blue Repertory presents Company Call: blueREP at 25. The silver anniversary concert will bring together current members and alumni for a special event this April 8, 2017. Featuring some of the organization's most recognizable musical numbers and performers, the concert is about coming home to where generations of blueREPPERs discovered their passion for the stage.

The featured productions are Pippin (1991), The Wiz (1992), Godspell (1993), Once on this Island (2001), Into the Woods (2002), Merrily We Role Along (2004), Footloose (2004), Stages of Love (2006), 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2007), High School Musical: Live (2007), All Shook Up (2008), Tick… Tick… Boom! (2009), Side Show (2010), Hair (2011), Little Shop of Horrors (2011), 13 (2012), Bare: A Pop Opera (2012), A New Brain (2013), Spring Awakening (2013), Toilet: The Musical (2014), and  In the Heights (2015).

The Ateneo Blue Repertory prides itself with the recognition of being the country’s most prestigious college musical theater organization. Every year, blueREP offers a line-up of entertaining and groundbreaking musicals, all professionally executed to rival the demand for quality theater shows in the Philippines. This 25^th Season, they opened with the blueREP original Real Life Fairytales (September 2016), staged the critically-acclaimed The Addams Family (November 2016), and are closing with the locally-written Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady (April 2017).

Directing the anniversary concert will be two of blueREP’s esteemed alumni, Toff de Venecia (Director of blueREP’s All Shook Up, Freakshow, and Little Shop of Horrors) and Andrei Pamintuan (Director of Stages of Love, Festival Director and founder of The Manila Fringe Festival (Fringe Manila)), with the help of Ejay Yatco (Musical Director for blueREP’s original Toilet, Edges, and Little Shop of Horrors) as Musical Director with Assistant Musical Directors Alecx Lorica and Lulay Santiago, with choreography by Jim Ferrer (performer in Beyond Theater Award- winning “Here Lies Love”) and Stephen Vinas (performer in Dulaang UP’s Ang Nawalang Kapatid and choreographer of PETA’s Bongga Ka ‘Day!) along with their Assistant Musical Director, Michael Ubamos.

All this strung together by the scriptwriters headed by Gabbi Campomanes and her team, Bea Racoma and Iago Guballa. Costumes and Makeup done by Rio Tanchuling; Set designed by Trency Caga-anan; and Lights Designed by Joseph Matheu.

The featured performers are alumni– Abi Sulit, Alys Serdenia, Amos Francia, Arion Sanchez, Bibo Reyes, Boo Gabunada, Bym Buhain, Carelle Mangaliag, Charmie Inigo, Derrick Fuentes, Ejay Yatco, Franco Ramos, Gab Medina, Gab Pangilinan, Gabbi Campomanes, Gabs Santos, Ian Hermogenes, Jade Albert, Jill Pena, Jim Ferrer, JQ Quesada, Juancho Escoto, KC Kane, Kyla Rivera, Lara Antonio, LJ Galvez, Luis Marcelo, Mahar Mangahas, Mako Alonso, Maronne Cruz, Mian Dimacali, Meg Yatco, Melje Belvis, Moira Lozada, Nelsito Gomez, Nica Del Rosario, Oli del Rosario, Pauline Gaerlan, Red Concepcion,   Rolls Pagunsanan, RR Herrera, Tricia Torres, Victor Robinson III; and current blueREP members– Alex Masucol, Alyssa Jamille Binay, Erika Rafael, Helene Enriquez, Janine Idquival, Justine Narciso, Mia Fortugaleza, Nicole Garcia

and Samantha Chan.

The production team are lead by Danielle Navarrete as Co-Production Manager along with Tomik Tendero, and Irvin Embalsado as Assistant Production Manager. With Marga Lumabas as Head Technical Director; Gayle Mendiola and Noelle Zarza as Co-Head Stage Managers; Alex Bay and Miko Castro as Co-Front-of-House Heads; Kat Bautista as Costumes & Makeup Technical Director; Luigi Soriano as Lights Technical Director; Denise Congson as Sounds Technical Director; and Stephanie Escuadro and Danica Uy as Set & Props Technical Directors.

The Committee Heads of Company Call: blueREP at 25 are as follows: Kelsey Lim – Chief Finance Officer; Trisha Balan – Design and Publications Head; Chapy Fadullon – Design and Publications Art Director; Ria Castillo – Logistics Head; Josh Vera – Documentations Head; Danielyn Del Rosario and Marty Nevada – Co- Videographers; Maia Dapul – Alumni Relations Head; Austin Gonzales – Corporate Relations Head; and Samantha Chan – Public Relations Head; Adrian Chio – HR Representatives; Alix Goño and Enzo Mendoza – Sprocomm Representatives.

The 25^th Season Concert will be showcased at Cine Adarna, UP Film Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon city on April 8, 2017, Saturday, at 3PM and 8PM.

Tickets will cost P500, P600 or P700 each. For ticket inquiries, please contact Alex Bay at 09175201998.

You may also visit Ateneo Blue Repertory’s official website: http://www.bluerepertory.org.

Connect to Ateneo Blue Repertory online through the following social media networks:

Facebook:    www.facebook.com/blueREPERTORY

Twitter:          @_blueREPERTORY

Instagram:   @blueREPERTORY

BGC ARTS CENTER FESTIVAL: REVEALING FACETS OF MODERN FILIPINO PERFORMANCE ARTISTRY

Press release

Firing off a passionate start for 2017, the BGC Arts Center will celebrate its identity as the home of the Filipino artist. 

True to its word, it will launch a 2-day Arts Festival on January 14-15, hosting performances and events that will illuminate  the many layers that modern Filipino artists are animating to give voice to the range of the human condition.

The BGC Arts Center is the centerpiece of BGC’s Cultural District. A project of the non-profit, Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc., it is the first and only stand-alone theater established through private donations. 

It is dedicated to providing a cultural and educational experience that will inspire the public to explore their creative side and embrace Filipino artistry. 

A collaboration by award-winning architects and designers, the BGC Arts Center is composed of the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, the Alveo Central Plaza, and the Sun Life Amphitheater.

The BGC Arts Center Festival is aligned with how the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. (BAFI) recognizes the integral role of culture, 

the appreciation of art and its meaning, in a city’s identity. 

Aiming to keep art alive and accessible through various cultural activities,  BAFI endeavours to make art a way of life that everyone can share together.

Making BAFI’s mandate come alive is the range, from totally original Filipino creations to brilliant local adaptations of works  with universal themes, that the BGC Arts Center Festival is offering.

As such, the festival will have children’s plays from Artist Playground and Kids Acts Philippines,  several dance performances by STEPS, staged readings of selected scenes by The Egg Theatre Co.,  a performance of an original play by Artist Playground,  a supremely engaging performance by a pioneer Filipino Improv group,  SPIT Manila, an acclaimed local production from Twin Bill Theater,  an award-winning original Filipino musical from Philippine Stagers,  and opera pieces from MusicArtes, Inc.

Completing the Arts Festival are art talks, outdoor events such as BGC Art Mart  that regularly feature the work of local artisans and other surprise offerings at the Sun Life amphitheater.

Check out the BGC Arts Center Festival event page on Facebook for the schedules and details of the performances.

TANGHALANG ATENEO SET TO OPEN " BOY " ON OCT. 19

Press release

Who were you, who are you and who will you become? How much of you did you decide for yourself?

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola schools of the Ateneo de Manila University opens its 38^th season: De/Constructing Narratives with Boy, a thought-provoking new play by award-winning American playwright Anna Ziegler. This will go onstage at the Ateneo de Manila’s Black Box Theater (Fine Arts Annex) on October 19-November 12.

            The play, which just had its world premiere produced by Keen Company in New York City earlier this year, is translated into Filipino by Guelan Varela-Luarca and directed by Ed Lacson, Jr. Tanghalang Ateneo’s production of this play not only serves as its Philippine premiere but is also its first international staging and the first one produced outside of the original New York City production.

            Boy is a story of self-realization and gender identity, a journey to find one’s self amidst doubt and confusion. The play follows the life of Adam Turner who, as a new-born baby, had an unfortunate medical accident resulting in his parents deciding to raise him as a girl upon the advice of a renowned psychologist. As Adam grows older, his confusion about who he is and what he wants to become in life becomes more and more apparent that his parents eventually decide to reveal to him his biological gender. The discovery leads Adam to re-create himself, severing all communication with his psychologist.

            Cholo Ledesma plays this challenging title role.

           

            Teroy Guzman plays Dr. Wendell Barnes, Adam’s psychologist. Passionate about his work and ideals, Dr. Barnes has trouble looking past his own intentions to see the tragic consequences of his actions.

            Camille Abaya plays Jenny, Adam’s love interest. A down-to-earth, single mother, Jenny is confused about Adam’s temperament and his relentless persistence in wanting to pursue a relationship with her.

            Mayen Estañero and Wenah Nagales alternate as Trudy, Adam’s mother. Like all mothers, Trudy has always tried to look out for the best interests of her child but is undone by her desperation to find an immediate solution to a life-altering problem.

            Juliene Mendoza plays Doug, Adam’s father. Often absent because of work, Doug leaves the responsibility of raising Adam to Dr. Barnes and Trudy, with terrible consequences.

            A nominee for the 2016 Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award, Boy was inspired by a real-life psychological case study conducted in the U.S. from the late ‘60s to the early ‘90s. This study, commonly referred to as the case of “Dr. Money And The Boy With No Penis,” is about a botched circumcision that leads to the child’s parents seeking the help of renowned sexologist Dr. John Money who agrees to the counseling of the child in exchange for conducting the study.

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 

Upstart Productions Debuts with The Baby Dance

Non-traditional theater is what I describe my experience watching Upstart Productions. Instead of focusing on how the actors move, you feel engage listening to their dialogues. It's like the days of radio skits where you just sit and listen.

Not only that G Toengi is handling Upstart but it was also her birthday celebration during the time I watched. She was passionate about her RH advocacy that is why she selected this piece, The Baby Dance during her birthday. Not only that Baby Dance is entertaining, it also has some logic in the story about adoption.

I got to watch it last June 15. Upstart is doing a new piece every other Friday so it means you have to watch every single time. Upstart stages at Century City Mall Events Center. For more updates in the theater arts in Metro Manila, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.