By Walter Ang
January 3, 2011
Philippine Daily Inquirer
"We've prepared an exciting selection of shows that are sure to stimulate theatergoers," said Repertory Philippines new associate artistic director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo.
Immediate past associate artistic director Joy Virata will remain as a member of the Board of Directors. Baby Barredo remains as the artistic director.
"Menchu has been with Rep since she was a teenager and has developed into one of the finest all-around actresses in the Philippines," said Virata.
"She has also become a great director. She is a natural-born, efficient manager. But, most important of all, she is passionate about theater and her loyalty and love for Rep is unquestionable."
Season shows
Rep's 2011 line-up starts off with its "season shows."
Based on the novel by Amy Tan, "The Joy Luck Club," to be directed by Anton Juan, features the stories of four Chinese immigrant women and their American-born daughters. "It's a great production to start off 2011, especially since it will be from Feb. 4 to 20, which is great for Valentine's dates and for celebrating the Chinese New Year," says Yulo.
Next is a comedy thriller based on an Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece. "The 39 Steps" (March 4 to 20, 2011), to be directed by Ana Abad Santos, has "over 150 zany characters played by a cast of four." Yulo says, "There will be non-stop laughs as audiences witness missing fingers, a plane crash, and some good old-fashioned romance!"
From April 1 to 7, 2011, audiences can catch the comedy "Shakespeare in Hollywood," to be directed by Jaime Del Mundo. Shakespeare's most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, end up on the Hollywood set of Max Reinhardt's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Smitten by the glitz and glamour of showbiz, "they encounter blonde bombshells, movie moguls, arrogant 'asses,' and, yes, a feisty flower as they deal with loopy love triangles that end with raucous results," says Yulo.
Children's theater
For its Children's Theater, from Aug. 13 to Dec. 11, 2011, Rep will stage one of the most performed shows in America: "Seussical."
Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty ("Ragtime" and "Once On This Island") created the music, lyrics and book of this musical that brings to life the characters from the popular Dr. Seuss books.
"'Seussical' is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza, with all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and Jojo, a little boy with a big imagination," says Yulo. "The show will run for only one hour and 15 minutes, the perfect length for younger audiences. Children and their parents will enjoy seeing all these characters from the Jungle of Nool, the Circus McGurkus and the invisible world of the Whos."
2011 year-end big musical
Rep's past big musicals have included "Sweeney Todd," "Sound of Music," and "Fiddler on the Roof."
"Peter Pan" will be its 2011 year-end big musical from Sept. 29 to Oct. 30, with Sam Concepcion in the title role, to be directed by Jaime del Mundo and Menchu Launchengco-Yulo.
"Join the boy who doesn't want to grow up, Peter Pan, and his adventures with the Darling siblings Wendy, John and Michael as they battle Captain Hook and his pirates in a world filled with Lost Boys, mermaids, Indians and many other interesting characters," says Yulo.
With music by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drew ("Honk!" and Disney's "Mary Poppins"), Peter Pan will be a co-production with Stages theater company. "It's going to be a spectacular musical where the actors will fly right before the audiences' eyes," she says.
Extra income
Except for "Peter Pan," which will be staged at the Meralco Theater, all Rep performances will be at Onstage Theater.
"Meralco Theater is across the street from Robinsons Galleria Mall while Onstage Theater is inside Greenbelt 1 Mall," says Yulo. "This gives our audiences opportunities to do other things with their families or friends before or after watching our shows."
Rep marketing manager Rem Zamora said they announced their line-up and show schedules early so that those who'd like to earn extra income for themselves or raise funds for their organizations can plan ahead for 2011.
"The arts can be profitable!" he says. "All our productions are available for showbuying and block ticket sales for individuals or groups."
"All productions are also available for sponsors who wish to reach Rep's audiences," he says. "Enderun College is sponsoring Rep for the entire year. Not only do they leverage Rep's reputation for quality shows to access our audiences, through their support of theater, they also serve as a patron of the arts. We're inviting companies or individuals to receive the same opportunities in sponsoring Repertory Philippines that Enderun College is getting."
For ticket inquiries, including Rep Gold or Silver Season Passes, or details on showbuying or sponsorships, call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926, 571-4941 or email info@repertory-philippines.com. Tickets also available at Ticketworld at 891-9999 or ticketworld.com.ph.
Also published online:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/artsandbooks/artsandbooks/view/20110103-312200/For-2011-Rep-to-stage-Joy-Luck-Club-and-39-Steps