Evo & Grace: The WanderLusts

Based on the life of the remarkable contemporary installation artist, Junyee, Tanghalang Pilipino presents ‘Balag at Angud’. Playwright by Layeta Bucoy, the play takes the theatergoers through a journey of undying passion for the art and relentless struggles for standing on one’s principles. First staged in a university production, Bucoy’s playwright’s title came from Junyee’s two prominent art installations- all uses natural resources. Balag, a birthchild of the 70’s activism, is an installation of interwoven bamboo decorated with protest placards. Locally known as tree’s skull, Angud uses the collection of interconnected logged-trees remains- a protest against deforestation. The play captures the colorful journey of Junyee’s artistry and passion enriched by music and songs that captures the spirit of journey of his life. The play started with a scene where Junyee fall into the floor after recognition of his work and the flashback commences with the appearance of his fathe...

When does cheating starts? When you had sex with someone? When you lied? When you stopped trying? Or when you starting to love the false idea of you have created which your partner cannot be? Gender fluidity has been a contemporary concept thriving in today’s culture and ideology. It is an ideology which doesn’t constraint someone’s expression and preference to that of the traditional focus on sex and gender. The concept widens individual’s freedom to love and someone’s individuality. But embracing this concept would not shelter you out of the struggles, pain and frustrations that comes with loving someone. The Palanca Award-winning Vincent de Jesus’s changing partners is an exhibition that the real-life struggles of love with time and the pain that it might bring is the same regardless of the age and gender that are involved in the relationship.   Based on his real-life experience, changing partners is a about a fallen love story of Alex and Cris. ALEX is a young free...

A Christmas present comes early for Tanghalang Pilipino as they held its Press Night performance of Eljay Deldoc’s Lukot-Lukot, Bilog-Bilog last December 2, 2017. Wrapped with jolly production comes a play that tackles financial literacy and the worth of the important things for us. Previously screened as a play-on-tour about financial literacy, this TP’s holiday adaptation of Lukot-Lukot, Bilog-Bilog gave a wider perspective of the story by taking in the dynamics of Gwyneth’s, the lead role, family and the society where she lives in. The play touches on how we build relationship with money, and how it affects the relationship that we are also building with our family and the people around us. With a teen girl (played by Blanche Buhia) as the main character, the conflicts would depict decisions that a millennial and even a baby boomer could face in real life. Lukot-lukot, bilog-bilog can be easily seen as a typical children’s play, but what really makes it special is that i...

The Cast of "Hair".   Repertory Philippines will close the 2017 theater season and the golden anniversary celebration with the year-end grand musicale of the iconic period production of " Hair " dubbed as the first ever tribal love-rock musical on Broadway. Written by James Rado, an American actor, playwright, director, writer and composer and co-written by Gerome Ragni, an American actor, singer and songwriter. Hair won Best Musical on Grammy in 1969 and was nominated for Best Musical in 1969 Tony Awards. Relive the rocking spirit of the 60's, with Marki Stroem alternates with Topper Fabregas as Claude, George Schulze as Berger, Caisa Borromeo as Shiela and a stellar ensemble of young breeds. This version of this award-winning production will be directed by Chris Millado and Ejay Yatco being the musical director.   It will run from November 17 to December 17, 2017 "Comedy of Tenors". REP will open their 2018 season with the hilarious play...

Mga Ama, Mga Anak. (PR Photo) National Artist Nick Joaquin is one of our writers whose works have been reproduced in different genres numerous times. In celebration of his birth centennial, UP Playwrights’ Theatre stages “Fathers and Sons” in English and Filipino (“Mga Ama, Mga Anak” translated by Virgilio S. Almario and Jose F. Lacaba). This is based on Joaquin’s short story “Three Generations”. Directed by theatre veteran Tony Mabesa, the three-act play Mga Ama, Mga Anak tells the story of an ailing patriarch and the effects of his supremacy in his household. Set in the 70s, Zacarias Monzon reminisces his glorious past as the Caritela King while his family delves into their issues caused by his power. There is his spinster daughter Nena who took care of him all her life. More conflict ensues with his rich son Celo who have always questioned his father’s morality. And speaking of morality, Bessie, a former go go dancer, is the current flame of Zacarias. These characters narr...

The last time I saw a Shakespearean straight play and musical was either a stage adaptation by Repertory Philippines or a stage translation in Filipino by Tanghalang Pilipino, and I can't even remember when was that? Thanks to Artist Playground in partnership with St. Vincent School, because on its third season they are playing " M Episode. " A back-to-back play about Macbeth told during the extravagant Renaissance period.       Act 1 begin with James Chalmers' " Prelude To Macbeth " which tackles the story on how Macbeth became Thane Of Glamis and later introduced Lorna Stewart who became his second wife - Lady Macbeth. Cast includes Paul Jake Paule (Macbeth), Jernice Matunan and Mariella Munji Laurel (Lorna), Andre Tiangco (Duncan), Juan Carlo Martin Pacheco and Vincent Pajara (Callum) and Tasha Guerrero, Marjorie Duldulao, Princess Tuason, Kia del Rosario, Jeremy Cabansag and Kathleen Francisco (Spirits 1, 2 and 3).  Followed by William Shak...

Of Gods and demons, failure to disappointment’s, lie and courage, this are the thoughts you will encounter in watching the latest Repertory Philippines production of “Agnes of God”, a gripping and intellectually provoking drama about a nun in a convent who mysteriously deliver a baby, either conceive or by anything, that is the issue. Still under its 50 th year anniversary celebration, this exciting production under the direction of highly acclaimed Bart Guingona, star Pinky Amador as Mother Superior, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Psychiatrist Dr. Livingstone, and for the title role is the refreshing, sweet and innocent Becca Coates as Agnes. The story evolve on Sister Agnes, on what really happen that night she supposedly gave birth, that was the mission of Dr.Livingstone, to uncover the truth, to prove if there is really a miracle happen in the convent, and at the same time she undergo some reality checking, her faith to God and her personal struggle as a person. It i...

Eurydice is torn between her love for his Father and her Husband. (Photo from Tanghalang Pilipino) Tanghalang Pilipino’s latest offering this love month is something unconventional to watch, as it takes on matters of love as deeper from the roots to the new love of your life, this is Eurydice, a play written by Sarah Ruhl translated in Filipino by Guelan Luarca. Eurydice is under the Direction of Loy Arcenas, the acclaimed film maker behind Nino, Requeime and the forthcoming Ang Larawan, his takes on this production is composed a lot of imagery, imagining the two dimensions of the living and the dead.  He also handle in creating the set for this, and that elevator make up set in the center stage is a great installation in the play, it is impressive indeed along with water effect. The story evolve around Eurydice new found love Orfeo, they get married and eventually fate bring Eurydice to the underworld and get reunited with his dead father, the man of her life try eve...

A new Filipino musical is about to unleash via a newly formed theatre company that will hit us with their brand new style of theatre presentation. That’s one of the aims of Black Box Productions that will revisit their “Mula Sa Buwan” production this December at Irwin Theater in Ateneo De Manila University. Based on the play Cyrano De Bergerac from French poet Edmond Rostand, “Mula Sa Buwan” will showcase sweet and bittersweet young love during post war era of Manila.  Patrick Valera conceptualized the play along with William Elvin Manzano which was first performed in 2010 at the University of Asia and the Pacific under Dulaang Rock Opera Company. Valera admits during its launching that this was just an introduction for its grand restaging early 2017. Thus it will only have a limited run from Dec 2, 3 and 4. Though he guaranteed that it will be as majestic as it will be by 2017. The music and lyrics are remarkable and the pool of artists included is handpic...

The well love production of Philippine Stagers Foundation,.Bonifacio: IsangSarsuwela is making a comeback this November, just in time for Andres Bonifacio’s 153 birthday this coming November 30. During its preview recently, Director Vince Tanada reveal that this musical production is the one closest to his heart, he believe that Bonifacio is the President that we never had and his story is somewhat the new generations should know, it is ideally the revolution in the Philippines made sense during Bonifacio’s time. The play with a Sarsuwela concept or dialogue usually sung by actors, gives hint to Bonifacio’s colorful life and his heart for the country. But Tanada who also play the said title role dismiss the notion that it glorify Bonifacio and put another hero, Emilio Aguinaldo in bad light, it is base on his research and understanding as an artist and as a theater thespian. The return of Bonifacio for a limited show features Stagers of then and now, such as...

The newest offering of 9 Works Theatrical is one must see this October, not because it is the first time in Philippine Stage, but this play showcases three great theater actors of this season that will evolve your inner thoughts, on why is life like that, the why and the what life can offer versus the things we love to do over the things we have to do in order to survive. Tick Tick Boom obviously tell the struggling years of Musical genius Jonathan Larson, yes the man behind Rent The Musical, and composers of my all-time favorite song “Seasons Of Love”, it’s a monologue on how Jonathan narrate his passion in writing a play, creating songs, and his personal love life and his true best friend. Believe me, the music are all awesome, good to be free and really compelling to the point you’ll ask yourself, do I pass this stage of my life, how did I overcome it, and did I have fun?   What good thing about it, you’ll go out of theater happy and probably humming one of its...