51st opens with ‘Comedy of Tenors’
THE ROCK musical “Hair” closes the Repertory Philippines’ 50th season this November-December.
The hilarious “Comedy of Tenors” opens its 51st season next January.
Directed by Chris B. Millado, “Hair” opens on Nov. 17 and runs until Dec. 17. Hair is considered as “the first-ever tribal love-rock musical on Broadway.”
“We, at Rep, are more inspired than ever to keep showing quality theater to our audiences,” Mindy Perez Rubio, Rep president and chief executive officer, said.
“For 50 years, we have been bringing the best of West End and Broadway to the Philippines and creating a space for theater arts and artists to develop. We are embarking on the next 50 years with the same passion and drive to bring live theater to more people,” Rubio said.
“2018 is a good start, and we have a superb line-up of meaningful shows that are sure to touch and inspire,” Rubio said.
For its 2018 season opener, Rep mounts the Paris-set “Comedy of Tenors, from Jan. 26 to Feb. 18; followed by the interesting story of female astronomers, Silent Sky,” from March 2 to 25.
From April 6 to 29, Rep fans will be dazzled by “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a black comedy play popularized through a film adaptation starring Cary Grant.
From Sept. 15, Rep returns with the Rep Theater for Young Audiences show Rapunzel, which runs until Jan. 27, 2019.
The musical “Miong” about the life of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo is the season opener for 2019. It runs from March 22 to April 14, 2019, in time for Aguinaldo’s 150th birth anniversary.
Rep aims to collaborate with the Ayala Museum for the anniversary of Aguinaldo activities that will feature snippets from the show, costumes of the era, and hopefully memorabilia of Gen. Aguinaldo.
“The upcoming Rep season is one we’re very proud of. We believe that this roster of productions offers something for all audiences to enjoy,” Joy Virata, Rep artistic director, said.
“Everyone involved worked tirelessly to make sure we bring only the best stories that make those who watch feel and think. With the new season’s wide range of performances, from the magical and witty re-telling of Rapunzel to the historic and inspiring Miong, we’re hoping to show people that theater is for everybody,” Virata said.
The Rep said that season passes for 2018 are already available.
All the shows will be held at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati.
Line-up of Repertory Philippines 2018 Season Shows
Comedy of Tenors (Jan. 26 – Feb. 18)
Ken Ludwig’s hilarious play centers on a colorful crew of characters who converge in a hotel room before an important concert. As an opera producer attempts to put on a show, his lead performer goes missing. In their misadventures, they involve a harassed producer, his frazzled assistant, an aging, temperamental and sometimes missing Italian opera star and his hot-blooded wife, their daughter, and her lover, an opera diva, and a singing waiter.
Director: Miguel Faustmann
Cast: Jeremy Domingo, Noel Rayos, Issa Litton, Loy Martinez, Mica Pineda, Arman Ferrer, and Shiela Martinez
Silent Sky (Mar. 2 – 25)
The play by Lauren Gundersen centers on historical figure Henrietta Swan Leavitt, an astronomer at Harvard College Observatory in the 1900s. She and her brilliant team of women made ground-breaking discoveries that shaped modern astronomy, despite the attitudes against women that marked the era. “Silent Sky” follows Henrietta as she navigates her personal and professional life in a man’s world.
Director: Joy Virata
Cast: Cathy Azanza Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Naths Everette, and Shiela Francisco
Arsenic and Old Lace (Apr. 6 – 29)
This 1930s-set play follows Mortimer Brewster as he goes off to visit his kooky family. While he loves his two aunts who’ve raised him, he considers the rest of his family—such as his brother Teddy who believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt and his sadistic and murderous great grandfather — to be insane. During his short vacation back home, he finds out his beloved aunts murder lonely old men for fun. Mortimer now tries to stay on top of the crazy situation, getting rid of the cops and protecting his sweet fiancé, while trying not to turn crazy himself.
Director: Jamie Wilson
Cast: Joy Virata as Abby Brewster, Jay Valencia Glorioso as Martha Brewster, Nel Gomez as Mortimer Brewster, Barbara Jance as Elaine Harper, Jeremy Domingo as Teddy Brewster, Apollo Sheikh Abraham as Jonathan Brewster, Miguel Faustmann as Dr. Einstein with Steven Conde, Gabe Mercado, and Dingdong Rosales
Rapunzel (Sept. 15, 2018 – Jan. 27,2019)
REP Theater for Young Audiences
This is a brand new magical musical re-telling of the classic fairy tale. The evil Lady ZaZa is determined to rule the kingdom by keeping the beautiful Princess Rapunzel trapped in a tower in the deep, dark, dreary forest. It is up to Sir Roderick and his hair stylist friend Edgar, who is on a quest to find the perfect head of hair, to rescue Princess Rapunzel and restore the kingdom with the help of a slightly neurotic Gypsy Woman and a tired, yet witty, old dragon named Socrates.
Director: Joy Virata
Cast: TBA
Miong (March 22 to April 14, 2019)
Hero Emilio Aguinaldo played a huge part in Philippine history. However, the story of his life is rarely told. Focusing on Aguinaldo’s youth, the story delves on his relationship with his middle-class provincial family, his marriage, and his beginnings in the Katipunan. “Miong” hopes to resonate with the youth and show them an example of courage and love of country.
Director, Book and Lyrics: Joy Virata
Music: Ian Monsod
Cast: TBA
For inquiries, please call Rep at 843.3570, or Ticketworld at 891.999, or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph. For updates and show schedules, log on to www.RepertoryPhilippines.ph, like and follow Repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram, and follow @Repphils on Twitter.
Ibarra C. Mateo 