Rizal-descendant is lead in "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera"

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Rizal’s descendant, tenor Kuya Manzano, is lead in "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera"

Spanish-Filipino actor Kuya Manzano, a descendant of Jose Rizal, is portraying Crisostomo Ibarra in an opera version of Rizal's novel "Noli Me Tangere."

Staged by Dulaang UP, "Noli" is directed by DUP Artistic Director Alexander Cortez with music supervision by Camille Lopez Molina and Pablo Mariano Molina.


Rizal's novel was published in 1887 in Berlin. The protagonist Ibarra is the son of Spanish Don Rafael Ibarra.

Manzano's lineage:

His great great grandparents: Fausto Barredo married Gabriela Alonso (sister of Teodora Alonso, mother of Jose Rizal)
His great grandparents: Manuel Barredo married Josephine Johnson
His grandparents: Josephine Barredo married Antonio Manzano
His mother: Pinky Manzano

Manzano arrived from Spain five months ago "to find his Filipino side." He’s been performing for the last thirteen years acting and singing in musical theater, zarzuela, opera, spoken theater, television and films in Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, and China.

"Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" runs Nov 16-Dec 4, 2011 (Wednesday to Friday, 7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am and 3pm) at Wilfrido Guerrero Theater, 2/F Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Quezon City. Contact 0917-750-0107, 981-8500 local 2449, 926-1349 or 433-7840.

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Kalaryot, a Kapampangan sarswela Dec. 2-3, 2011

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Red Curtain Productions
and
Uyat Artista On Stage
present

Kalaryot
A Kapampangan Sarswela

Kapampangan heroes fought not only for their native land, but for the country as a whole. A story, a lost folklore, of love, fate and tragedy, about someone whose sin is to simply fight for love and go against the dictates of fate.

Dec. 2, 2012 - 10am, 1pm and 4pm.
Dec 3, 2012 - 12 noon, 3pm and 6pm
Holy Angel University Theater

Contact (045) 875-6361 and 0932-470-7200

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Gantimpala Theater's "Si Snow White at Pitong Dwarfs" Dec. 1-18, 2011

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Announcement from Gantimpala Theater

Gantimpala Theater gives cheer and love this holiday season with Snow White at Pitong Dwarfs!

Gantimpala Theater gives cheer and love this holiday season with “Si Snow White at ang Pitong Dwarfs!”

“Si Snow White at ang Pitong Dwarfs” is a modern take on the life of this fairy tale princess, with book and libretto by J. Dennis Teodosio, music by Frederic John Ferraz, and direction of Tony Espejo.

Find out the reasons why Reyna Ines (Ma. Melissa Gigante) gnashes her teeth at the very sight of the lovely Snow White (Rita Iringan) and how Prinsipe Oswald (Ivan Dorschner) discovers first love and the power of true love’s kiss.

Meet Mara (Michael De Vera), the mysterious and entertaining salamin, who never tells a lie, and Badong (Bham Sumooc), the talking pet dog.

“This musical will definitely make you adore and love Snow White even more," says Espejo.  "We love her, not only because of her beauty, but because of her kindness, melodious voice, and believe it or not, because of her mouth-watering dish of adobo.”

Gean Allain de Leon (associate director)
Joseph Matheu (lights designer)
Jose Jeffrey Camañag (set designer)
Albert Figueras (costume designer)
Carlos Niño Percil (choreographer)

Performances are on
December 1 & 2, 10am (AFP Theater, inside Camp Aguinaldo, near MRT-Santolan/Annapolis);
December 10, 9am / 12nn / 3pm (SM Southmall, Las Piñas);
December 17, (8am / 11am / 2pm)
& Decenber 18, (8am), (Expo Pampanga)

Contact 899-5911, 896-6503 or 998-5622
or visit us at: www.gantimpalatheater.multiply.com or www.facebook/gantimpala.

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FREE ADMISSION "Teatro ng Kinabukasan, Noon at Ngayon" Dec. 3, 2011

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Announcement from Dulaang Laksambayanan

Dulaang Laksambayanan
and
PETA-Writers Pool
in collaboration with
De La Salle College of St. Benilde's Center for Social Action
present

Teatro ng Kinabukasan, Noon at Ngayon
Philippine Theater and the Unfinished Philippine Revolution
on the occasion of
Andres Bonifacio's 48th birth anniversary

FREE ADMISSION
Dec. 3, 2011 at 8pm
Blackbox Theater, 6th floor, De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts Building

Pablo Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz), Malate, Manila


A Staged Reading of Excerpts from Two Plays and A Chanting of a Poem

PUNCH & JUDAS
by Manny Pambid
A translation and adaptation of Emmanuel Lacaba’s novella with the same title

TEATRO PORVENIR
by Tim Dacanay
Second Prize Winner, Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Full-length Play in Filipino

and

LAMENTASYON NI ORIANG
Bing Veloso’s chanting of a poem by Gregoria de Jesus, a.k.a Lakambini ng Katipunan

Concept and Direction by Manny Pambid

Contact 0926-644-1249 or 0916-494-4556.

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Philippine Educational Theater Association's "Care Divas" re-run Dec. 1-11, 2011

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Announcement from Philippine Educational Theater Association


Philippine Educational Theater Association's
Care Divas

Re-run
December 1 and 8 - 8:00PM
December 2, 3, 4, 9,10, 11 - 3:00PM / 8:00PM

PETA Theater Center
5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City

Contact 725-6244, 410-0821 or 0917-5642433, petatheater@gmail.com.

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Harlequin Theatre Guild's "Unang Ulan ng Mayo" Dec. 1-3, 2011

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Announcement from Harlequin Theatre Guild

Harlequin Theatre Guild
the resident theater organization of De La Salle University
presents

John Iremil Teodoro's
"Unang Ulan ng Mayo"

1997 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Filipino play
Directed by Raffy Tejada

Dec 1 and 2 - 3pm and 6:30pm
Dec 3 - 10am, 3pm and 6:30pm
Function Room, 2nd floor, Enrique Razon Sports Complex, DLSU, Taft Ave., Manila



Efren arrives during the first rain of May in San Anghel, Antique, a remote farming village, during the planting season. A relationship blossoms between him and Victor, who is wheelchair-bound after a bout with polio. Efren claims to be a godson of Victor's father. They soon discover the truth about their real identities.

Contact 0917-826-2880.


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De La Salle College of St. Benilde's "Siglo: Our Story in Motion" Nov. 29, 2011

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Sinag Productions
and

De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts'
Arts Management Program and Dance Program
present
A thesis production of graduating students of the Dance program

Siglo: Our Story in Motion

A theater dance production highlighting 100 years of Lasallian presence in the Philippines

Directed and choreographed by
Marinelle Datu, Cassey Perena, Rita Winder


Libretto: Tim Dacanay
Featuring:
Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company
Guest artists from Ballet Philippines

Nov. 29, 2011 10:00 am, 3:00pm, and 7:00pm.

De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts Theater
5th floor, De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts Building
905 Pablo Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz), Malate, Manila

Bonus! Here's the trailer:

Contact 0917-529-0256 or 0917-598-1104 or atsinagproductions@gmail.com.

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Auditions for Dulaang UP's "Forsaken House" Dec. 8 and 10, 2011

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Dulaang UP
OPEN AUDITIONS
for
Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero's
Forsaken House
Directed by Tony Mabesa
(Playdates are February 8-26, 2012)

Prepare an English monologue,  should not exceed two minutes.

December 8, Thurs, 6-9pm
December 10, Sat, 3-6pm
Wilfrido Guerrero Theater
2nd floor, Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Contact 0927-837-8507.

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Japanese danseur featured in BP’s ‘Sleeping Beauty'

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Yay! My article on the danseurs of Ballet Philippines' upcoming staging of "Sleeping Beauty" was published by Philippine Daily Inquirer in its Nov. 21, 2011 issue.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iwroteit/message/322
Japanese danseur featured in BP’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’
By Walter Ang

Japanese ballet danseur Nobuo Fujino will play Prince Desire in Ballet Philippines' staging of "The Sleeping Beauty" this December. He alternates with BP principal dancer Jean Marc Cordero.

BP principal dancers Carissa Adea, Candice Adea and Katherine Trofeo alternate as Princess Aurora, who is cursed as a baby to die. However, good fairies soften the curse and replaces death with a long, deep sleep, which will end with the kiss of true love.

Fujino will perform in only two performances. He will partner Candice Adea, 2011 USA International Ballet Competition silver medalist, in the Dec. 2 fundraising gala for the benefit of the Noordin Jumalon Dance Scholarship Fund.

Jumalon was the CCP Dance School director and passed away last Sept. 24, 2011. He had been with Ballet Philippines for more than 30 years, mentoring hundreds of dancers.

Fujino
This is Fujino's first time to perform in the Philippines. Fujino is a principal dancer of the Hong Kong Ballet and was formerly a senior artist of the Australian Ballet.

Fujino has portrayed roles such as the Prince in "Cinderella," "The Sleeping Beauty," and "The Nutcracker;" Albrecht in "Giselle;" Solor in "La Bayadere;" among others.

He had been performing the role of the Prince from "The Sleeping Beauty" when he was promoted to principal dancer for Hong Kong Ballet.

"Technically, it is always challenging to work through all partnering and solos in pure classical style," he says.

Cordero
Cordero became the first Filipino male to reach the semifinals at the 2010 USA International Ballet Competition (touted as the Olympics of ballet) and won best male in a lead role in a Russian Ballet performance category at the 2011 Boston International Ballet Competition.

He partnered Candice Adea at the 2011 BIBC and they both have been invited to by the artistic director of Chelyabinsk State Academy Opera and Ballet Theater to perform lead roles in a full-length production next year.

He won the 2010 Gawad Buhay! Outstanding Male Lead Performer in a Modern Dance Production for his work in BP's "Crisostomo Ibarra."

Since then he's moved up the ranks in BP and has performed in all of BP's productions including principal roles in "La Revolucion Filipina," "Coppelia," "The Nutcracker," "Peter Pan," and "Don Quixote" among others-a long way from when he started ballet training at the late age of 16, just to pass the time while waiting for his girlfriend Candice.

Collaborators
Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa with music composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the duo also known for "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker," "The Sleeping Beauty" is based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale "La belle au bois dormant."

BP staged "The Sleeping Beauty" in 1983 with Japanese Prima Ballerina Yoko Morishita and Cecile Sicangco, Nonoy Froilan and Brando Miranda; and in 1988 with Sicangco, Froilan, then CCP Artist-in-Residence Lisa Macuja and Latvian danseur Aivars Leimanis.

BP ballet master Victor Ursabia is restaging the production. Music will be performed by the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Jeffrey Solares.

Holiday option
Candice Adea invites the public to try watching a ballet this holiday season for a change. "It's a different kind of magic," she says.

"December is a time when there will be many forms of entertainment to choose from, in this fast-paced world we live in, it's good to have the chance to watch a live performance with the whole family and revel in a show with grace and beauty."

"The Sleeping Beauty" runs Dec. 2-11, 2011 at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines. Visit www.balletphilippines.org. Contact Ticketworld at 891-9999; Ballet Philippines at 551-1003, 624-5701; CCP Box Office at 8323704.

Also published online:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/23423/japanese-danseur-featured-in-bp%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98sleeping-beauty%E2%80%99

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Talinhaga Theatre Collaborative's "Pulses" Nov. 30, 2011

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When this play was first performed by DUP's Dulaang Laboratoryo, the playwright Ino Habana used the pseudonym Icarus (see the announcement here). In this restaging by Talinhaga Theatre Collaborative, he is now using his real name.

Announcement from Talinhaga Theatre Collaborative


In celebration of
World AIDS Day

Talinhaga Theatre Collaborative
and
Take the Test
present

P U L S E S
a play about people living with HIV
by Ino Habana & Iscariot

November 30, 2011 | 6PM to 8PM
The Library Bar, Maria Orosa St., Malate, Manila
Limited seats available


For the benefit of Take the Test, an awareness campaign on HIV.  Take the Test provides FREE HIV antibody testing, pre-test and post-test HIV counseling (one-on-one), effective referral, and follow-up.

PULSES is a play that weaves personal accounts, monologues, scenes, songs and poems. By creating a tapestry of whispers, cries and clamor, PULSES is a play that asks everyone to be aware - and to understand. It is a prayer for love, hope and acceptance.

PULSES is all about the narratives of people with HIV-AIDS. Despite it's simplicity (no spectacle and pretense), the narrative compels me to feel the texture of pain,hope, love acceptance and care - palpable! The play effectively articulates the complexities of body, globalization, home, relationships and sexualities of people with HIV-AIDS. It has its subtle and careful way of revealing the closet of HIV-AIDS epistemology in this country.


Direction | Pat Valera and Katte Sabate
Choreography | Katte Sabate and Al Bernard Velarde Garcia
Music & Sound Design | Teresa Barrozo
Lights Design | Meliton Roxas
Set Design | Sigmund Pecho
Original Song | Fitz Edward Torres Bitana

Contact 0917 812 57 11

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Dulaang Filipino's "Fuente Ovejuna" Nov. 28-Dec. 1, 2011

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Inihahandog ng

Dulaang Filipino
para sa kanilang ika-20 taon ng pagtatanghal
ang
FUENTE OVEJUNA
Ni Lope De Vega
Isinalin sa Tagalog ni Jose Victor Torres

Nobyembre 28-Disyembre 1, 2011 (1nh at 7ng)

Direksyon: Riki Benedicto
Sayaw: Christine Crame
Disenyo ng ilaw: Louie Tejuco
Disenyo ng suot: Ysabelle Tantoco at Lia Ramos

De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts Blackbox Theater,
6th floor, De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts Building
905 Pablo Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz), Malate, Manila

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Fourth Wall Theater Company's "Ang Tao" Nov. 27, 2011

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Announcement from Philippine Normal University's Fourth Wall Theater Company

Philippine Normal University's
Fourthwall Theater
presents

Ang Tao
a Filipino translation of
Everyman

Nov 27, 2011 1pm and 3pm

St. Scholastica's College Little Theater, Malate, Manila City

Everyman is a morality play and allegorical drama that teaches a lesson about how Christians should live and what a person must do to save his soul. A morality play was, in effect, a sermon that was acted out. The characters of a typical morality play include personifications of virtues (such as hope and charity), vices (such as pride and sloth), or other qualities, as well as personifications of objects (such as money) or activities (such as death or fellowship).

The group
Fourthwall Theater Company is founded by teacher/artists-manned Drama Education and Theater Arts specialists of Philippine Normal University. It is composed of active youth members, theatre enthusiasts and students who adhere to the precept that theater is a catalyst for educational advancement and personal development.

The group has performed in various schools and universities and rendered workshops to empower education through drama and theater arts by helping out schools and communities to establish their very own theater organization.

Contact 0922-866-6917 or mr.maglaya@gmail.com.

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Teatro Kolehiyo ng Miriam's "R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots)" Nov. 25, 2011

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Announcement from Teatro Kolehiyo ng Miriam

Teatro Kolehiyo ng Miriam
the official theater organization of Miriam College
presents
as part of its 30th year

an adaptation of Karel Capek’s
R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots)


Nov. 25, 2011 3pm and 7pm
Miriam College Marian Auditorium, Miriam College, Quezon CIty


In the world of Rossum’s Universal Robots, humans have exceedingly become dependent on robots and Harry and Harriet Rossum, owners of Rossum's Robots, envision a future where robots do everything for humans.  With a click of a button or a status update on Facebook, human beings around the world can order their personal robots to do their bidding.

But as each robot is created and upgraded, more and more seem to experience the mysterious "Robot Cramps". Soon even Harry and Harriet start to wonder if they are as safe around their electronic servants as they thought.

The play features Nicco Manalo, Aly Daculug and Mikee Czarina Jocson and the TKM ensemble.

Directed by Olive Nieto and Nicco Manalo
Video Direction by Nica Miranda and Peachy Policarpio
Animation by Lee Paje
Set Design by Carol Cruz and Koni Santiago
Costume Design by Aly Daculug, Vanya Peralta, Katrina Roxas
Lighting Design by Tagay Galit
Sound Design by Denise Reyes

Teatro Kolehiyo ng Miriam is moderated by actor, director and production designer, Tuxqs Rutaquio.

Tickets P250
Discounts available for students, early buyers and bulk purchases

Contact 0922-878-9015 or 0927-284-8599.

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Auditions for Ateneo Blue Repertory's "Bare" Nov. 19, 2011

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OPEN AUDITIONS
for Ateneo Blue Repertory's
20th year season finale "Bare"

November 19, 2011 Saturday 2-7pm
Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City

Lead roles for 18 and up only
- prepare a pop rock song (20 bars)
- bring comfortable dancing clothes

Callbacks on November 20, 10-7pm.

Contact 0917-541-7681

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FREE ADMISSION Vocal Masterclass with Maestro Alexander Vikulov Nov. 17, 2011

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Lisa Macuja Elizalde
UP Department of Voice, Theater and Dance
and
Philippine Opera Company
present

Vocal Masterclass with Maestro Alexander Vikulov
Nov. 17, 2011 Thursday 2pm-5:30pm
UP College of Music Mini Hall

FREE ADMISSION

Vikulov is a professor of the Mariinsky Theatre Young Singers' Academy and Conductor at Mariinsky Theatre

Contact Philippine Opera Company at 0917-527-2880 and UP College of Music Office at 929-6963.

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FREE ADMISSION Sipat Lawin Ensemble's "R'MEoW ❤'s JHuLEz" (Romeo and Juliet) Nov. 18-19, 2011

Announcement from Sipat Lawin Ensemble

Sipat Lawin Ensemble
and
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
with
Sangguniang Kabataan Council of Brgy. 705
present

R'MEoW 's JHuLEz

A Tagalog translation and adaptation
of William Shakepeare's
Romeo and Juliet
by Layeta Bucoy
with Kiko Miranda and Sipat Lawin Ensemble

FREE ADMISSION
Nov. 18-19, 2011 6:0pm
Barangay Fiesta Basketball Court, Barangay 705, Zone 77,
San Andres, Malate, Manila City

Contact 0917-500-8753.

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Making theater in Cebu for ten years and counting

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Yay! My interview with Hendri Go about the tenth anniversary of his Little Boy Productions was published by Philippine Daily Inquirer for its Nov. 15, 2011 issue. The full interview is below. (The green parts are the parts that the editors had to cut out due to lack of space. Please support coverage of the arts by encouraging advertisers to place ads in newspapers!)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iwroteit/message/320
Making theater in Cebu for ten years and counting
By Walter Ang

To cap its tenth anniversary, Cebu's Little Boy Productions is staging a one-day-only performance of Chris Martinez's comedy "Welcome to Intelstar" and Anton Chekhov's farces "The Boor" and "The Proposal."

LBP brings in shows from Manila and stages its own shows with local talent. It's also done co-productions in Manila, including "Once on This Island" and the Filipino translation of "Art" with Actor's Actors Inc., and the Asian premiere of Disney's "High School Musical" with Ateneo Blue Repertory.

"What I'm most proud of is the diversity of shows that we've done," says Hendri Go, the man behind LBP. "In Manila, you have different theater groups with different segmented markets.  In Cebu, we don't have that.  LBP tries to do a little bit of everything."

LBP has also worked with Repertory Philippines and Atlantis Productions to stage musicals ("The Last Five Years," "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"), plays ("Tuesdays with Morrie," "Doubt"), and improv acts (Silly People's Improv Theater).

Little Boy
In 2001, Go helped out a friend with the Cebu tour of New Voice Company's "The Vagina Monologues."  He observed the entire process from backstage to front-of-house, including the business side of logistics and ticket sales.

"I realized that you don't have to be a performer to do theater," he says. Prior to this, Go's theater involvement was limited to a summer workshop with Rep when he was in high school, and acting in a musical comedy revue for De La Salle University's Harlequin Theater Guild.

"I saw how the audience loved the show.  Wouldn't it be great if we could have more of these in Cebu? Wouldn't it be great to make theater more accessible to Cebuanos if the shows were brought here?"

Later that same year, he "brought over" the play "Love Letters" to Cebu.  "I found the script quite moving and the production requirements minimal, meaning it didn't cost so much," he says laughing.

LBP was born.

Quality
Manila-based actors Bart Guingona and Pinky Amador were cast for "Love Letters."  "It was a very big deal, getting these well-respected stalwarts to do our very first show.  It established a level of quality for the company."

"Since then, we've worked with the likes of Lea Salonga, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Cherie Gil, Michael Williams, Bituin Escalante, Chari Arespacochaga, Ricky Davao, the late great Jose Mari Avellana, among others."

It eventually started staging productions with local actors, designers, and directors.  "We produced regional premieres of plays by contemporary Filipino playwrights."

Aside from occasionally touring shows to Dumaguete and Ormoc, LBP conducts workshops in Cebu every summer.  "It's important to consistently provide training and theater education. The workshops in Manila, the level of quality, I wanted that in Cebu. So we fly in experienced, qualified teachers from Manila to teach."

Differences
Go says that moving productions over to Cebu can cost double of a Manila staging.  "You pay your artists more because there is an out-of-town premium or you have to give them 'per diem' allowance.  You have airfare, board and accommodations.  Sometimes we have to fly in special lights or sound equipment and large set pieces.

"But Cebu ticket prices are often lower than Manila prices. How do you make that work? That's the challenge. We have to fill the seats!

"Cebu audiences are more appreciative than Manila audiences because we don't get as much productions.  We have a lot of first-time theatergoers.  Those who come to watch really make an effort to get into it, to enjoy and appreciate it.

"On the other hand, you can't really be too edgy with the shows that you present because you're going after a general audience, you have to cast a wide net."

Risk
Go always has a hand in the productions he stages: from script selection to casting, from selection of collaborators (director, set designer, musical director, etc.) to scheduling.

"I like being a producer, getting involved, exchanging ideas, putting things together, doing the numbers.  It's exciting for me." 

In addition to evaluating production elements such as cast size and set requirements for cost computations, Go has a fairly simple formula in deciding what show to produce: "I ask myself 'Will this work in Cebu? Can I sell it?'"

"I like taking risks and trusting my instincts that a show will work."  Above everything else, "I have to like the show. I produce material I like and believe in, whether it's commercial or not."

"I look back at the ten years of LBP, at what we've done, the workshops, the local shows, the shows from Manila, the shows in Manila, the tours, the people we've worked with, and I feel very, very grateful and happy."

"The Boor" and "The Proposal" 3 pm and "Welcome to Intelstar" 7pm on Nov. 26, 2011 at CAP Art Center, Cebu City.  Contact (032) 254-9320.

Also published online:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/22291/making-theater-in-cebu-for-10-years-and-counting

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Children's plays by DUP and TP starts Nov. 18, 2011

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Yay! My article on two upcoming children's plays was published by Philippine Daily Inquirer in its Nov. 21, 2011 issue.

There are bonus links after the end of the article for those interested in reading the original text of "The Magic Circle."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iwroteit/message/321
Children's plays by DUP and TP
By Walter Ang

Umaaraw, Umuulan
Dulaang UP will stage "Umaaraw, Umuulan, Kinakasal ang Tikbalang" a children's play based on publisher-painter-theater producer and Philippine Daily Inquirer contributing writer Gilda Cordero-Fernando's children's short story "The Magic Circle."

"The Magic Circle" was serialized in PDI's Learning Section in 2009.*  Adapted by Rody Vera and directed by José Estrella, "Umaaraw" is about the adventures of a boy named Jepoy Baybayin and his pet dog, Galis, as they go on a "magical journey bursting with fantastic characters and strange happenings."

Jepoy and Galis are invited to a wedding underneath a balete tree, in the middle of the dark forest. There they meet the Spanish-speaking dwarf maitre d' Pacqui, Tatlong Maria (Makiling, Sinukuan and Cacao), the enormous Doña Geronima with her clean and shiny plates, talking pythons and frogs, tiyanak debutantes, ballroom-dancing aswangs, the four musicians of San Roque, and a woeful kapre named Kap.

"Part of the play's objectives is to remind audiences of the richness of our folk literature that are rendered nearly forgotten by foreign popular culture," says Estrella.

"I had fun adapting the story because the story is quirky in itself," says Vera. "I met with Gilda and we decided to add a situation for the Jepoy to experience in order to add dimension to his characterization.  That situation is lifted from another of her short stories for children. We're happy with the results."

Award-winning sculptor Leeroy New does costume design. Visual artist and Anino Shadowplay Collective member Don Salubayba creates shadow puppetry. Lex Marcos is set designer and lighting designer. TJ Ramos handles music and sound design.

"Umaaraw" runs Nov 23 to Dec 11, 2011 at Teatro Hermogenes Ylagan, University of the Philippines, Quezon City. Contact 0917-7500107 or 926-1349.


Emperor moved to 2012
TP's staging of "D'Emperor," George de Jesus III's Tagalog translation and adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes," originally slated for November, will be moved to Jan. 11-22, 2012.

Director Riki Benedicto says, "Tessa Prieto-Valdes, one of TP's board members has been on board with this production, connecting us with Slims Fashion and Arts School and fashion designers."  Joey Samson, Martin Bautista and James Reyes will do costume designs.

Pinocchio
This November, Tanghalang Pilipino is restaging "Pinocchio, Gusto Mo Bang Maging Tao?"

First staged in 2002, this children's play is about the magical adventures of a wooden puppet whose quest to become a real boy leads him to learn about life, love and honesty.  This adaptation by George de Jesus of the well-loved classic tale of Carlo Collodi features Tanghalang Pilipino's Actors Company, its resident pool of actors.

"Through a fun-filled interactive staging, the production also tackles environmental awareness and addresses the urgent need to teach our children to be active participants in environmental protection," says artistic director Fernando "Nanding" Josef.

With music by Nonong Buencamino, costume design by George De Jesus, III, set design by Mel Fernando and lighting design by Haia Castro.

"Pinocchio" runs Nov. 18-20, 2011 at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines. Shows beyond these dates are available for booking. Contact 8323661, 0908-8941384, and 0928-2754747.

Also published online:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/23439/children%E2%80%99s-plays-by-dup-and-tp-start-nov-23

*Bonus! Here are the links to "The Magic Circle" by Gilda Cordero-Fernando:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4


What do you think of these productions? Share your comments.

St. Paul Seminary Foundation's Communication Fest 2011 Nov. 19, 2011

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St. Paul Seminary Foundation's
Communication Fest 2011
Theme: "Theater: As a medium and art of transformation"
November 19, 2011 (Sat), 8am-5pm
St. Paul Seminary Foundation, Lalaan 1st Silang, Cavite

Featuring:
- Main speaker: Fernando Josef (Artistic Director, Tanghalang Pilipino)
- Re-launching of "Teatro Paolino" in which seminarians will stage a play
- Simultaneous theater workshops:
Production and Stage Management by Wowie Bonto
Voice by Nazer Salcedo
Dance by Edna Vida-Froilan
Set Design by Armando "Tuxqs" Rutaquio
Directing by Roobak Valle
Playwriting by Glenn Mas
Acting by Fernando "Nanding" Josef

Contact 0927-244-9097 or 046-414-2281.

What do you think of this event? Share your comments.

UP Voice and Music Theater Guild's "The Merry Wives of Windsor" Dec. 5-7, 2011

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Announcement from UP College of Music's Department of Voice, Music Theater and Dance

UP Voice and Music Theater Guild
in cooperation with
UP College of Music's
Extension Program
and Department of Voice, Music Theater and Dance
presents

William Shakespeare's
The Merry Wives of Windsor
A Comedy Opera in Three Acts
Music by Otto Nicolai
English Libretto by Josef Blatt

Dec. 5-7, 2011 at 7pm
Abelardo Hall, College of Music, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
Ticket Price at P300 with 50% discount for UP Faculty and Students

Featuring:
UP Arco string ensemble, conducted by Prof. Edna Marcil Martinez
UP Dance Company

Sir John Falstaff - Jonathan Velasco
who courts both
Alice Ford - Mia Ariana Tanciongco, soprano and Dixie Lacuesto, soprano
and
Meg Page - Nicole Roxanne Aldiosa, soprano and Joy Ann Cacayan, soprano
at the same time

They don't like him, play tricks on him and let their husbands in on the joke:
Mr. Ford - Ramon Gabriel Tenefrancia, baritone and Michael Bulaong, baritone
Mr. Page - Jonaf Del Fierro, baritone (also alternating as Sir John Falstaff) and Florentine Dilig, baritone

Meg Page's daughter
Anne Page - Nikka Mae Lopez, soprano and Gerphil-Geraldine Flores, soprano
likes
Fenton - Mark Aldwin Queddeng, tenor and Chris Yu, tenor
but her parents want her to end up with
Slender - Anotonio Ferrer, tenor and Emmanuel Dela Rosam, tenor
or
Dr. Cajus - Reis Luke Aquino, tenor and Reymil Doydoy, tenor

Concept and Direction by Roselle Pineda
Musical Direction by Edna Marcil Martinez
Visual Design by Laya Roman
Lighting Design by Teta Tulay
Video and Animation by Loujaye Sonido and Teta Tulay
Costume Design by Carlo Villafuerte Pagunaling
Choreography by Angela Lawenko-Baguilat

What  do you think of this production?  Share your comments.

Casting announcement for 9 Works Theaterical’s "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"

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Announcement from 9 Works Theatrical

Casting announcement for 9 Works Theaterical’s
"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
Opening February 10, 2012

Robbie Guevara as Charlie Brown
Lorenz Martinez as Snoopy
Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Lucy
Mio Infante as Linus
Sweet Plantado as Sally Brown
Tonipet Gaba as Schroeder

Directed by Michael Williams

Contact 586-7105, 557-5860, 0917-554-5560 or anna@9workstheatrical.com.

What do you think of this production? Share your comments.

24th Aliw Awards 2011 theater and performing arts categories nominees and winners

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Here you have it! This year's winners! And some links to past reactions I've posted on some shows, kekeke.

Theater companies, school organizations and independent producers should start preparing their nomination materials for the 25th Aliw Awards (2012).

Since this year's eligibility covers shows until Oct. 15, 2011, it's assumed that all shows performed from Oct. 16, 2011 onwards until next year's deadline for submission of nominations should be eligible, but best to wait for an official announcement from the Aliw Awards.

Anyway, I've noticed some theater actors shouting out in Facebook that they didn't even know they were nominated (much less having won until someone told them). If I had a chance to interview the president or organizers of the Aliw Awards, I would ask these questions:
- Is Alice H. Reyes still alive?
- What is the process of informing shortlisted nominees? Why do some nominees not know they were nominated? And if they didn't know they were nominated, does this mean they weren't invited to the awarding ceremony?
- If a nominee does not know s/he was nominated, who nominated him/her?  Can anyone submit nominations?
- When will the Aliw Awards make a website that will have sections on its history and archives of all its past winners?

Kekeke!

The 24th Aliw Awards (2011) nominees and winners of theater and performing arts categories

The 24th Aliw Awards (2011) announced open nominations last October 2011 and had its awarding ceremony Nov. 8, 2011 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila.

The Aliw Awards "honors the best in Philippine live entertainment" and was founded in 1976 by Alice H. Reyes. Its current president is Jeatte Palabrica.

Here are the nominees and winners of the theater and performing arts categories (information collected from several online sources like gibbscadiz.blogspot.com and from Theaterbator's select DPAs).

To qualify, performances must have been staged from September 2010 to Oct. 15, 2011.
Aliw Awards members are not voting members except for the president.
The Board of Judges is invited by the Aliw Awards Foundation and it deliberates and chooses the winners.


LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Tony Mabesa (Theater)
Maniya Barredo (Ballet)
Fides Cuyugan Asencio (Opera)

SPECIAL AWARD
Roxanne Lapus (Director, Sound of Music, Resorts World Manila)
Integrated Performing Arts Guild (Theater group)
Cris Vertido (Theater)

HALL OF FAME
Roxanne Lapus (Director, The Sound of Music, Resorts World Manila)


BEST ACTOR (NON-MUSICAL)
Joel Lamangan - Fake (UP Playwrights Theater) [Theaterbatoring UPPT's "Fake"]
Other nominees:
Chase Cervera - Lam-ang (Tanghalang SLU, St. Louis University)
Teroy Guzman - Screen: Macbeth (College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines) [Theaterbatoring "Screen: Macbeth"]
Mario O'Hara - American Hwangap (Tanghalang Pilipino) [Review of "American Hwangap"]
Cris Pasturan - Kawala (Virgin Labfest 7)
Bembol Roco - American Hwangap (Tanghalang Pilipino) [Review of "American Hwangap"]

BEST ACTOR (MUSICAL)
Vince Tanada - Cory ng Edsa (Philippine Stagers Foundation)
Other nominees:
Redgie Jimenez - Alibugha (Pro.Pro)
Jett Pangan - Next to Normal (Atlantis Productions)
Gerald Santos - Sino ka ba Jose Rizal? (Gantimpala Theater)
Nyoy Volante - In the Heights (Atlantis Productions)


BEST ACTRESS (NON-MUSICAL)
Frances Makil Ignacio - Joy Luck Club (Repertory Philippines)
Other nominees:
Ana Abad Santos - Evening at the Opera (Virgin Labfest 7)
Shamaine Buencamino - Fake (UP Playwrights Theater)  [Theaterbatoring "Fake"]
Gina Pareno - American Hwangap (Tanghalang Pilipino)  [Review of "American Hwangap"]
Joanne Salazar - Tatlong Tao sa Isang Libo (Pro.Pro)

BEST ACTRESS (MUSICAL)
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo- Next to Normal (Atlantis Productions)
Other nominees:
Rachel Alejandro - Xanadu (Atlantis Productions)
Nikki Gil - Sweet Charity (9 Works Theatrical) [Theaterbatoring "Sweet Charity"]
Pinky Marquez - Little Women (Repertory Philippines)
K La Rivera - In the Heights (Atlantis Productions)
Cris Villongco - Noli Me Tangere (Tanghalang Pilipino) [Theaterbatoring "Nolie Me Tangere"]


BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE
Joel Trinidad - Kaos (Resorts World Manila)
Other nominees:
Bodgie Pascua - Noli Me Tangere (Tanghalang Pilipino) [Theaterbatoring "Nolie Me Tangere"]
Jerald Napoles - Care Divas (Philippine Educational Theater Association) [Theaterbatoring "Care Divas"]
Joe Gruta - El Filibusterismo (Gantimpala Theater)
Romnick Sarmenta - Screen:Macbeth (College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines)
Note: Sarmenta and Gruta are listed in the program but their names were not called during the show and were not included in the list of nominees flashed on the screen. 

BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE
Jay Valencia Glorioso - In the Heights/ A Little Night of Music (Atlantis Productions)
Other nominees:
Rachel Alejandro - Aida (Atlantis Productions)
Cindy Maree Liper - Cory ng Edsa (Philippine Stagers Foundation)
Tanya Manalang - Kaos (Resorts World Manila)
Glory Ann Nacional - Cory ng Edsa (Philippine Stagers Foundation)
Sheree - Sweet Charity (9 Works Theatrical) [Theaterbatoring "Sweet Charity"]


BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
Note: This category was listed in the program but not included in the show. 
In the Heights - Atlantis Productions
Sino ka ba Jose Rizal? - Gantimpala Theater
Hinilawod - Hiyas Kayumanggi
Cory ng Edsa - Philippine Stagers Foundation
Noli Me Tangere - Tanghalang Pilipino  [Theaterbatoring "Nolie Me Tangere"]


BEST STAGE DIRECTOR (NON-MUSICAL)
Tony Mabesa - Fake (UP Playwrights Theater) [Theaterbatoring "Fake"]
Other nominees:
Ronaldo Bertubin - Tatlong Tao sa Isang Libo (Pro.Pro)
Jomari Jose - Evening at the Opera (Virgin Labfest 7)
Paolo O'Hara - Kawala (Virgin Labfest 7)
Dan Rommel Riopay - Florante at Laura/ Lam Ang (Tanghalang SLU, St. Louis University)
Pepito Sumayan - Rajah Indarapatra (Mindanao State University)

BEST STAGE DIRECTOR (MUSICAL)
Audie Gemora - Noli Me Tangere (Tanghalang Pilipino) [Theaterbatoring "Nolie Me Tangere"]
Other nominees:
Arthur Casanova - Once on this Island (Brent School)
Bobby Garcia - Next to Normal (Atlantis Production)
Menchu Lauchengco - Little Women (Repertory Philippines)
Robert Sena - Magsimula Ka (Spotlight Artist Center)
Vince Tandada - Cory ng Edsa (Philippine Stagers Foundation)


BEST NON-MUSICAL PRODUCTION
Rajah Indarapata - Mindanao State University
Other nominees:
Tatlong Tao sa Isang Libo - Pro.Pro
Joy Luck Club - Repertory Philippines
American Hwangap - Tanghalang Pilipino [Review of "American Hwangap"]
Kagilagilalas na Buhay ni Lam Ang - Tanghalang SLU, St. Louis University
Fake - UP Playwrights Theater [Theaterbatoring "Fake"]

BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION
Cory the Musical - Philippines Stagers Foundation
Other nominees:
Next to Normal - Atlantis Productions
Hinilawod- Hiyas Kayumanggi
Magsimula Ka- Spotlight Artist Center


BEST CLASSICAL PERFORMER (MALE)
Dondi Ong
Other Nominees:
Al Gatmaitan
Andrew Fernando
Randy Gilongo

BEST CLASSICAL PERFORMER (FEMALE)
Camille Lopez Molina
Other Nominees:
Fame Flores
Karla Gutierrez
Clarissa Ocampo


BEST DANCE COMPANY
Philippine Ballet Theater
Other nominees:
Ballet Manila
Bungkos Palay
Liceo de Cagayan de Oro Folkloric Dance Troupe
Salinlahi Dance Company
Sining Katutubo Dance Assembly


MUSIKAHAN DULAANG RIZAL AWARD
Noli Me Tangere - Tanghalang Pilipino
Rizal X - Dulaang UP
Sino Ka Ba, Jose Rizal? - Gantimpala Theater Foundation
Pagsaulog ni Rizal sa Dapitan - Local Gov't of Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte 


Contact:
The Screening Committee Chair
2011 Aliw Awards
39 Kirishima St., BF THAI, BF International,
Las Piñas City, Metro Manila 1740
aliwawards2011@rocketmail.com

What do you think of this award-giving body?  Share your comments.

Tanghalang Pilipino announces casting for "D' Emperor" (showing Jan. 11-22, 2012)

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Tanghalang Pilipino announces casting for "D' Emperor"
(2011-2012 season ender)

Jett Pangan as Emman D'Emperor

Mark Tayag as Paul PA
Cris Pastor as Pat PR
Ruth Alferez and Martha Comia as Bebe Blogger
Lao Rodriguez as Coco De Signer Cotourier
Jonathan Tadioan as Sazsa Stylisciana
Ana Feleo as Myra Manager

Jan. 11-22, 2012
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines

Directed by Riki Benedicto
Script and lyrics by George de Jesus III
Music by Jeff Hernandez
Costume design by Martin Bautista, James Reyes and Joey Samson
Special thanks to Slims School of Fashion and Arts

Choreography by Novy Bereber
Set design by Tuqxs Rutaquio
Lighting design by Dennis Marasigan

Contact 8323661.

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Auditions for Atlantis Productions' 2012 productions Nov. 23, 2011

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Announcement from Atlantis Productions


AUDITIONS for male and females, 18y.o. and above
for Atlantis Productions' 2012 productions:
- Rock of Ages
- Nine
- Shrek

WHEN: November 23, 2011. WEDNESDAY 11am-4pm (Sign up begins at 10am)
WHERE: Spotlight Artists Center Jupiter St. (Beside Red Ribbon), Bel-Air, Makati City

Be prepared to sing TWO songs,
ONE ROCK STANDARD and ONE MUSICAL THEATER STANDARD,
with either piano score or minus one and bring a current photo of yourself.

Contact 892-7078.

What do you think of this audition? Share your comments.

FREE ADMISSION Tanghalang SLU's "Ma-te" Nov. 10, 2011

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Announcement from Tanghalang SLU


Tanghalang SLU,
resident theater company of Saint Louis University,
for its 13th season (2011-2012)
presents
Abel Molina's
"Ma-te"

FREE ADMISSION

Directed by Dan Rommel Riopay
Nov. 10, 2011 5:30pm
SLU Center for Culture and the Arts Theater

Ma-te won the 1998 Palanca Award 1st Prize One-Act Play category.  Fidel is a cripple diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia who plays chess by himself. His subconscious creates Putim, a chess rival and conscience. What will happen Fidel's wife, Brenda, decides to leave him?

Reserve tickets at 0919-350-4238.  Season pass holders may use their tickets for this production.

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Deadline for voting in Broadwayworld.com Philippines' BWW Philippines Awards is Dec. 31, 2011

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BroadwayWorld.com Philippines celebrates its third anniversary by launching the first-ever BWW Philippines Awards in 2011.

Voting will be done online until Dec. 31, 2011 at this URL:
http://philippines.broadwayworld.com/vote2011region.cfm?region=Philippines

It announced the nominees (listed below), shortlisted from around 500 nomination entries submitted online during an open nomination period from Oct. 6 to 31, 2011.

The website features "live" and "un-audited" voting statistics.  "All voting results will be tabulated and will be audited at the conclusion of the voting process to remove fake, duplicate, and other invalid votes."

"Our theater scene in the Philippines, especially in Metro Manila, has never been as vibrant as in recent months, and we owe our hardworking, excellent theater practitioners the recognition and appreciation they deserve," says BWW Philippines executive editor, author and photographer Oliver Oliveros.

"Ever felt that major award-giving bodies didn't give enough appreciation for your favorite musicals, plays and actors? Now, here's your chance to make that decision."

Winners will be announced and awarding will be held in January 2012. For details, email ooliveros@gmail.com.


2011 BWW Philippines Awards Nominees:

Best Musical
In the Heights (Atlantis Productions Inc.)
Sweet Charity (9 Works Theatrical)
Sound of Music (Resorts World Manila)
Peter Pan (Repertory Philippines/Stages Production Specialists Inc.)
Noli Me Tangere (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Care Divas (Philippine Educational Theater Association)
Cory ng Edsa (Philippine Stagers Foundation)

Best Play
American Hwangap (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Ang Post Office (Philippine Educational Theater Association)

Best Direction of a Musical
Bobby Garcia (Next to Normal)
Jaime del Mundo and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Peter Pan)
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Little Women)
Robbie Guevara (Sweet Charity)
Chari Arespacochaga (Aida)
Christopher De Venecia (Little Shop of Horrors)
Dexter Santos (Orosman at Zafira)
Vince Tanada (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Direction of a Play
Gary Labad (Ang Post Office)

Best Leading Actor (Musical)
Jett Pangan (Next to Normal)
Felix Rivera (Next to Normal)
Sam Concepcion (Peter Pan)
Gian Magdangal (The Wedding Singer)
Kris Lawrence (Sweet Charity)
Mark Bautista (Noli Me Tangere)
Melvin Lee (Care Divas)
Ricci Chan (Care Divas)
Jerald Napoles (Care Divas)
Vince Tanada (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Leading Actor (Play)
Martin delos Santos (Ang Post Office)

Best Leading Actress (Musical)
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Next to Normal)
Ciara Sotto (Rent)
Mian Dimacali (Rent)
Caisa Borromeo (Little Women)
Nikki Gil (Sweet Charity)
Tippy dos Santos (Peter Pan)
Cris Villonco (Noli Me Tangere)

Best Leading Actress (Play)
Jay Glorioso (Love, Loss, and What I Wore)
Liza Infante (The 39 Steps)
Shamaine Centenera Buencamino (Fake)

Best Musical Direction
Gerard Salonga (Little Women)
Joseph Tolentino (Sweet Charity)
Pipo Cifra (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Choreography
Cecille Martinez (In the Heights)
Deana Aquino (Sweet Charity)
Dexter Santos (Orosman at Zafira)
John San Antonio (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Costume Design
Raven Ong (Peter Pan)
Mio Infante (Rent)
Emy Tanada (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Lighting Design
Shoko Matsumoto (Next to Normal)

Best Set Design
Joey Mendoza (Little Women)
Gino Gonzales (Peter Pan)
Jeffrey Ambrosio (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Sound Design
Chuck Ledesma (Rent)
Bobbit Jacinto (In the Heights)
Rards Corpus (Sound of Music)
Art Grabentina (Cory ng Edsa)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Musical)
Markki Stroem (Next to Normal)
OJ Mariano (Rent)
Michael Williams (Peter Pan)
Jeff Arcilla (Little Women)
Johann dela Fuente (The Wedding Singer)
Jon Jon Martin (The Wedding Singer)
Miguel Faustmann (Sweet Charity)
Myke Salomon (Care Divas)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Play)
Jeremy Domingo (American Hwangap)
Nicco Manalo (American Hwangap)
Jonathan Tadioan (Bombita)
George de Jesus (Amphitryon)
Joshua Deocareza (Titus Andronicus)
Nic Campos (Shakespeare in Hollywood)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Musical)
Bea Garcia (Next to Normal)
Tex Ordonez (In the Heights)
Ciara Sotto (Sweet Charity)
Sheila Valderrama (Sweet Charity)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role/Ensemble Role (Play)
Cris Villonco (The Joy Luck Club)
Frances Makil Ignacio (The Joy Luck Club)
Liesl Batucan (American Hwangap)
Skyzx Labastilla (Titus Andronicus)

Best Theater Company
Atlantis Productions Inc.
9 Works Theatrical

Best Theatrical Venue
Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium
CCP Little Theater
PETA Center Theater
Newport Performing Arts Theater (Resorts World Manila)

What do you think of this award? Share your comments. (Comments that plug nominees will be disabled.)

DLSCSB's The Vito Cruz Project and Actors' Actors' "Hedda Gabler" Nov. 16-26, 2011

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A co-production of
De La Salle College of St. Benilde's School of Design and Arts's
Vito Cruz Project
and
Actors' Actors' Inc


A thesis production of graduating graduating students of the Production Design and Technical Theater programs


Henrik Ibsen's
Hedda Gabler

Directed by Bart Guingona
Lara Fabregas as Hedda Gabler
Paolo O'Hara as George Tesman
Kalila Aguilos as Thea Elvstead
Linda Lupton as Julia Tesman
Angela Mapa as Berta
Leo Rialp as  Judge Brack
Reuben Uy as Eilert Loveborg

Nov. 16, 18, 23, 25, 26 - 1pm
Nov 18 - 7pm

De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts Theater
5th floor, De La Salle College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts Building
950 Pablo Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz), Malate, Manila


About the group
Vito Cruz Project is under De La Salle College of St. Benilde's School of Design and Arts.  It stages the thesis productions of students taking Production Design and Technical Theater programs.


Contact 0915-941-1055 and 0917-585-9294.

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Gantimpala Theater's "Florante at Laura" Nov. 11-26, 2011

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Announcement from Gantimpala Theater

Gantimpala Theater caps 34th season with "Florante at Laura"


The Albanian Sweethearts
Florante (Yutaka Yamakawa)
and Laura (Ellrica Laguardia).
Gantimpala Theater caps its 34th season (2011) with
Francisco Balagtas’
“Florante at Laura”

One of the most enduring Filipino literary masterpieces described by many as a poetic art that examines the nature of justice, truth and commitment to fairness, written into a play by award-winning playwright Boni Ilagan, with the brothers Roeder and Jose Jeffrey Camañag as its directors.

“Ilagan's interpretation of the classic focuses on the many facets of love – from its purest form to its most corrupted version. His understanding of Balagtas’ words allows audiences the opportunities to witness Florante’s encounters with love – his love for knowledge, his love for his parents, his brotherly love for his best friend Minandro, his romantic love for Laura, his love for his enemies, and ultimately, the love for his country and the Higher Cause,” says the directors.

“We are highlighting the beauty of the language and the elements of komedya. What we give the public now is a tribute to Florante and Laura, as literary characters, a tribute to Francisco Balagtas and his mastery of the Tagalog language, and a tribute to the komedya, which is a true Filipino theater form.”

Cast and collaborators
Majority of the cast are members of Gantimpala’s Actor’s Company.  Alternately playing the Albanian prince Florante are Yutaka Yamalawa and Rafa Esplana. Ellrica Laguardia portrays Laura, a princess and Florante’s sweetheart.

Collaborators include Andy Villareal (lights designer), Joey de Guzman (set designer), Toni Muñoz (music designer), Meyo de Jesus (video designer), and Ian de Leon (choreographer).

The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Jimms-7-in-1 Coffee and Everbilena support Gantimpala Theater’s Florante at Laura.

Performances:
Nov. 11-2, 18-19 (10am/2pm), AFP Theater, Quezon City
Nov. 25-26 (11am/2pm) Cinema 3, SM Southmall, Las Piñas City

Contact 899-5911/899-5745/998-5622. Visit www.gantimpalatheater.multiply.com and www.facebook.com/gantimpala.

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Atlantis Productions' "Disney's Little Mermaid" Nov. 18-Dec. 11, 2011

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Announcement from Atlantis Productions

Atlantis Productions

presents
Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Nov. 18 to Dec. 11, 2011
Meralco Theater

Theatrical Debut
Rachelle Ann Go and Erik Santos make their professional musical theater stage debut as Ariel and Prince Eric .

Go was the grand winner of Viva-GMA7 Search for a Star competition in 2004 and won the silver medal that same year at the Shanghai Music Festival. Go currently appears on GMA-7’s Party Pilipinas.

Erik Santos won the first ABS-CBN Star in a Million competition in 2003. Santos is a mainstay of ABS-CBN's ASAP XV.

Disney classic
Based on the 1989 animated Disney film of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, Disney’s The Little Mermaid debuted on Broadway in 2008.

Book by Doug Wright
Music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman (written for the film)
With ten new songs by Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater

Some of Disney’s most popular songs are featured in the show — including Part of Your World, Kiss the Girl, and the Academy Award-winning Best Original Song, Under the Sea

East meets West
Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga directs.  Both were in Hawaii last year to take Asian Puppetry workshops, which will help them create many of the sea creatures.

“We are creating Little Mermaid unlike any other. It will be an exciting fusion of East meets West elements. Our underwater kingdom will be completely Asian in theme and our above water world will be Western, representing two different worlds. We will also be using traditional forms of Asian and Western puppetry including Wayang shadow play, bunraku, nang kaloung and western hand puppetry," says Garcia.

Vocal coaching by ManMan Angsico
Choreography by Cecile Martinez
Puppetry design and execution by Liz and Benny Batoctoy and Sam Fuentes
Set design by Lex Marcos
Costume design by Erik Pineda
Lighting design by Jay Aranda

Contact 892-7078, 840-1187 or visit www.atlantisproductionsinc.com.

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Teatro Expedicion de Filipinas' Theater Arts Workshop Grand Recital: "Reign or Shine" Nov. 27, 2011

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Announcement from Teatro Expedicion de Filipinas

Teatro Expedicion de Filipinas
presents
Reign or Shine

27 aspiring actors in nine contemporary short plays

Theater Arts Workshop 2011 Grand Recital

Directed by Joey Paras

Nov 27 (2pm and 7pm), 2011

College Assurance Plan Auditorium, College Assurance Plan Building,
126 Amorsolo St. cor. Rufino St., Legaspi Village, Makati City


Contact 0917-588-3838


What do you think of this recital? Share your comments.