Repertory Philippines 2012 Season

2012 is very special for Repertory Philippines as it marks the theatre production company's 45th anniversary. Their first play in 1967, "Miss Julie" only had seven people in the audience and only three were paying customers. Since then, under the wings of Ms. Zenaida "Bibot" Amador and Ms. Baby Barredo. Repertory has come a long way, having established itself as the country's premiere English speaking theatre company.

At the recent launch of its 2012 season's line-up at Enderun College in McKinley Hills, Repertory Philippines presented excerpts of the five shows and introduced its cast members.

"Next Fall" by Geoffrey Nauffts is a beautiful and funny story of modern romance -- a gay couple who, five years into their relationship, is still agonizing over differences in religion. Headlining the play are Bart Guingona and David Bianco, directed by Audie Gemora. "Next Fall" won the 2010 John Gassner Award and, in the same year, was nominated for the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Play; Tony Awards for Best Play; Outer Critics Cirlce Awards for Outstanding New Broadway Play.

8 pm shows on January 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28; February 3 and 4; with 3:30 pm matinee shows on January 1, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29; February 4 and 5.

"Leading Ladies" is a comedy which will show the answer of two very unfortunate English Shakespearean actors to the question "How far would you go for three million dollars?" Jack and Leo will do whatever it takes to hatch a plot to pass themselves off as two English women to scam an elderly woman of her fortune. Directed by Michael Williams.

8 pm shows on February 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25; March 2 and 3; with 3:30 pm matinee shows on February 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26; March 3 and 4.

"Jekyll & Hyde" dares to show that "Everyone has a dark side." This evocative tale of the epic battle of good and evil based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story about a brilliant doctor whose experiments with human personality create a murderous counterpart.

A musical play, "Jekyll & Hyde" features the hit song 'This Is The Moment' and will be given life by three well-known personalities in the field of music and theatre -- Michael Williams, Cris Villonco and Jett Pangan. "Jekyll & Hyde" will be directed by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo.

8 pm shows on March 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31; April 13 and 14; with 3:30 pm matinee shows on March 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31; April 1, 1 and 15.

Another show to watch out for is "The Wizard of OZ" based on the book by Frank Baum. Who doesn't know Dorothy and her ruby slippers, the yellow brick road and three unforgettable characters -- the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and the Cowardly Lion.

"The Wizard of OZ" will once again showcase the powerful vocals and acting bravado of Bituin Escalante, this time as the Wicked Witch of the West. Directions under Ms. Joy Virata. Note that this stage version is not based on the famous MGM film and will not include songs from the movie. Showing from August 18 to December 16, 2012.

"Disney's Camp Rock: The Musical" is a stage adaptation of the Disney Channel's "Camp Rock" films about young people exploring their talents in a summer music camp. This adaptation will give kids and tweens the opportunity to experience "Camp Rock" in a deeper way and will introduce them to the world of theatre.

"Disney's Camp Rock" will feature a bunch of talented young stage actors, the new Rep generation, under the helm of Audie Gemora. Showing from November 16 to December 16, 2012.

For tickets, call (632) 571-6926 or logon to Ticketworld.

Filed under SHOWS and EVENTS

Happy Thoughts and Fairy Dust

I grew up reading and watching stories about Peter Pan, the "boy who wouldn't grow up" and the cute bunch of lost boys in Neverland. This magical tale entertained me with mermaids, Indians, pirates and of course, fairies. I remember back in college, I even called my male barkadas my "lost boys" and I was their Wendy. So when I learned that two of the Philippines' premier theater groups -- Stages Production Specialists and Repertory Philippines -- will join forces to bring Sir James Barrie’s classic legend Peter Pan to life in Manila, I just can't wait to watch it.

"Peter Pan - A Musical Adventure" first opened in Denmark, Copenhagen in 1996 and won two top awards for Best Song (“When I Kill Peter Pan”) and The Orchestra's Award at the International Musical Of The Year. The Manila show will be a first in Asia and theater stalwarts JAIME DEL MUNDO and MENCHU LAUCHENGCO-YULO spearheads the production as co-directors.

Sam Concepcion as Peter Pan

An all-star cast promises to enthrall the viewers and take them on a magical journey to Never Land: SAM CONCEPCION is the atletic and energetic Peter Pan, the leader of the Lost boys; MICHAEL WILLIAMS is Captain Hook, the delightful nemesis to Peter. JAIME DEL MUNDO is Mr. George Darling, a stern and unimaginative but loving father; PINKY MARQUEZ is the gentle and caring mother, Mrs. Mary Darling; TIPPY DOS SANTOS and CARA BARREDO alternate as Wendy Moira Angela Darling, the eldest of the Darling children, who takes on role of "mother" to the lost boys; NACHO TAMBUNTING is John Darling, Wendy's younger brother, a bookish young teenager who craved adventure; JUAN MIGUEL SANTOS is Michael Darling, the typical youngest child who doesn't want to miss what everyone else is doing; ROBIE ZIALCITA is Smee, Captain Hook's comedic sidekick; KYLA RIVERA is Tiger Lily, a willful princess of the Indian tribe; JOY VIRATA plays the older Wendy Darling.

And who are playing the Lost Boys and the well-loved fairy Tinker Bell? Just watch and find out.

Michael Williams as Captain Hook

The artistic and creative team of “PETER PAN” is led by Baby Barredo (Artistic Director), Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Associate Artistic Director), Audie Gemora (President of STAGES), Jaime del Mundo/Menchu Lauchengco- Yulo (Directors), John Batalla (Lighting Designer), Gino Gonzales (Set Designer), Raven Ong (Costume Designer).

“PETER PAN’s” production staff is composed of Gidget Tolentino (Production Manager) assisted by Jingay Kaimo of STAGES, Ayam Barredo (Company Manager), Ed Lacson (Stage Manager), Pol Roxas (Sound Technician), Pablito Salvador (Lighting Technician) and Adul Lasin (Set Execution and Scenic Artist).

The marketing, sales and publicity of “PETER PAN” is led by Toots Tolentino (PR & Publicity) and Gian Carlo Vizcarra (STAGES), with Rem Zamora, Ayam Barredo and Oliver Usison (PR & Publicity, Marketing), Carlo Orosa (Head of Marketing – STAGES), Cherry Bong Edralin (Sales – STAGES), Marie Talay and Rose Silva (Marketing & Sales) and Jeff Arcilla (Photography).

“PETER PAN - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE” opened last September 30 at the Meralco Theater and will run until October 30.

For inquiries and other information, call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926 and 571-4941 or email info@repertory.ph. Tickets are also available at Ticketworld at 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph. Visit www.repertory.ph, subscribe to youtube.com/repertoryphils, and add “Rep Phils” in Facebook.

“PETER PAN” is presented by special arrangement with Macnaughton Lord 2000 Ltd.

So come one, come all and once more relive and enjoy the adventures of Peter Pan. Think only of happy thoughts and who knows, with some fairy dust, you might just fly to Neverland...just follow the "second star to the right and straight in till morning." :)

Photos from Repertory Philippines & Stages

Filed under SHOWS