To celebrate 25 years of dramatizing the best of Philippine Theatre and awakening the cultural consciousness of the Filipino audience, TANGHALANG PILIPINO (TP) is presenting four major productions that showcase its brand of excellence and artistry. TP’s 25th Theater Season 2011-2012 features classic Filipino literary masterpieces as well as new works that explore the various terrains of human experience.
The season officially opens with Noli Me Tangere, the Musical, co-presented by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in honor of Rizal’s 150th birthday. The musical is adapted for the stage by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and set to music by Ryan Cayabyab, with costumes by National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal. Audie Gemora directs a young cast composed of current mainstream stars including Mark Bautista, Gian Magdangal and Cris Villongco. Gemora’s fresh play-within-a-play vision of the critically-acclaimed musical also features new songs. The play opens on August 5, 2011 at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater).
TP pays tribute to one of its most prolific playwrights in A Tony Perez Retrospective. This production features three of Tony Perez’s most outstanding plays that represent various phases in his career as a playwright. Dissecting the Filipino psyche, his plays deal with adult themes such as intense love, betrayal, separation, compassion, poverty, birth and death. Bombita will be directed by Dennis Marasigan, Sierra Lakes by Tess Jamias and Nobyembre, Noong Akala Ko’y Mahal Kita by Tuxqs Rutaquio. This production showcases the talent and versatility of Tanghalang Pilipino’s very own Actors Company, with guest performances by TP alumni and mainstream actors such as Bodie Cruz of GMA7. It will run from September 30 to October 23 2011 at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute.
The Emperor’s New Clothes is a new addition to TP’s repertoire of beloved musical plays for children of all ages. George de Jesus III does a Filipino stage adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s well-known children’s story, with accompanying original music by Jeff Hernandez. This production is TP Actors Company member Riki Benedicto’s directorial debut in a major season play. This new musical premieres at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino on November 8, 2011.
Based on the findings of artist-researchers as well as first-hand testimony from government whistle-blowers and anonymous syndicate insiders, director Chris Millado and the TP Actors Company create a mind-bending analysis of corruption and graft in Walang Kukurap. This special production is made possible through a grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. It is a suspense thriller which – by combining traditional theatre with live interviews and unscripted performances – blurs the line between reality and fiction as it reveals the shady politics and unethical business practices so prevalent in the Philippines today.
The season culminates with Larawan, the classic story by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. Multi-awarded playwright and noted TV and stage director Floy Quintos’ version uses Tagalog, English and Spanish in the dialogue. This trilingual play features the acting prowess of two of Philippine cinema’s stalwarts: Helen Gamboa and Gina Pareño. The play runs in February 2012 at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.
Founded in 1987, Tanghalang Pilipino is the resident theater company of the CCP. It aims to promote Philippine theater that is rooted in centuries-old Filipino culture and history while being responsive to evolving contemporary society. To date, the company has presented more than 200 full productions for 24 seasons. TP maintains a pool of professional theater actors known as the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company. At present, Tanghalang Pilipino is under the artistic direction of noted film/theater/TV actor and cultural educator Fernando C. Josef.
For more information, please call Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) at 832-1125 locals 1620 & 1621/telefax: 832-3661 or e-mail at tanghalanprod@yahoo.com or visit TP’s official website: www.tanghalangpilipino.org.ph.
