DUP celebrates Mabini sesquicentennial through new Quintos play ‘Ang Huling Lagda Ni Apolinario Mabini’

(Press Release) 

What did it take for the committed and impassioned revolutionary Apolinario Mabini to sign the oath of allegiance to the United States of America in 1903? The promise of an end to his exile in Guam? The longing to return home to a land, changed and under a new colonial power? The simplest desire to die in his homeland? Mabini’s signing of the Act of Allegiance to the United States was, for the colonial powers, a sign that the Philippine Insurrection had at last come to an end. Could it have been that very simple and human desire, that longing for home, that could have made the Sublime Paralytic swear allegiance to the new colonizers?

Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini re-imagines the hero’s exile in Guam and the painful conditions that allowed for his return to the Philippines. The new musical, with book and libretto by Floy Quintos, original music by Krina Cayabyab, and direction and choreography by Dexter M. Santos, hopes to explore the private pain of this great thinker in the face of betrayal and the failure of the Revolution he had dedicated his life to.

The cast is topbilled by veteran stage actors Roeder Camañag as Apolinario Mabini, together with Leo Rialp, Al Gatmaitan, Poppert Bernadas, Nazer Salcedo, Banaue Miclat, and Jean Judith Javier. An ensemble of promising actors comprise the formidable supporting cast- Ralph Oliva, Chase Salazar, Adrian Reyes, Arion Sanchez, Bym Buhain, Edmundo Abad, Jr., Ralph Perez, Ross Pesigan, Roco Sanchez, Rence Aviles, Jon Abella, Vincent Pajara, and Stephen Viñas.

The artistic staff is completed by Ohm David for set design, John Batalla for lights design, Darwin Desoacido for costumes, assistant choreography by Stephen Viñas, technical direction by Meliton Roxas Jr., dramaturgy by Marvin Olaes, Miggy Panganiban, Fatimy Ivy Baggao and Kyrstynne Vargas, and poster design and photography by Dino Dimar.

Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini runs from October 1 to 19, 2014 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd floor Palma Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman. For tickets, sponsorships and show buying inquiries, call Samanta Hannah Clarin or Camille Guevara 926-1349, 433-7840, 981-8500 local 2449 or email dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com.

The Sandbox Collective Mounts Asian Premiere of "Dani Girl"

At the official launch of The Sandbox Collective, Toff De Venecia talks about Manila's newest performing arts theater collective and its maiden show, "Dani Girl", an off-Broadway musical by Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond.

Catch it at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City from July 11-27, 2014. For ticket inquiries, please contact 585-6909 or 0917-8996680, or call Ticketworld at 891-9999.

(ADDITIONAL VIDEOS, IMAGES, AND MUSIC COURTESY OF THE SANDBOX COLLECTIVE)

Red Turnip presents 'Rabbit Hole' directed by Topper Fabregas

(PRESS RELEASE) 

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 Closing Party

Red Turnip Theater recently ended its run of COCK, the riveting play by Mike Bartlett but people still can't get it out of their heads. Watch our field report at the closing show/party, on what the audience, cast members and show director thought of the whole experience; and what the theatre company has in store for its coming season.

(NOISES OFF) Frances Makil Ignacio chats with Honorata Manila

Here is our fun interview with Frances, one of the interesting characters in Repertory Philippines' production of Noises Off.

Honorata chats with the cast of Ang Nawalang Kapatid

Honorata Manila hung out with the stars of Dulaang UP's highly-acclaimed original Filipino musical by Floy Quintos and Ceejay Javier, directed by Dexter M. Santos.

Get to know more about Teetin Villanueva, Ross Pesigan and Jon Abella on Honorata Manila Chats with "Ang Nawalang Kapatid".

In Part 1, the three young actors talk about their good and bad experiences while doing the show.

 

Part 2 is where they answer questions from fans and friends in the industry from the show's nudity to their vision for local theatre.

 

Part 3 is the fun and unique Honorata Manila challenges that every guest must go through.

 

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ALL SHOW CLIPS AND IMAGES COURTESY OF DULAANG UP

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Special thanks to David Fabros, Mikko Angeles, Ash Nicanor and Ate Belen.

Teetin, Ross & Jon for being such good sports.