PHILSTAGE AWARDS FOR PERFORMING ARTS Seeks Jury Members

The Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group (PHILSTAGE), the country's only organization of professional performing arts companies, invites critics, educators, researchers and regular audiences of theater, music and dance productions to seek Jury Panel membership slots for the 2008 PHILSTAGE Awards for the Performing Arts.

Conceived as peer awards similar to many of the performing arts industry awards abroad, the PHILSTAGE Awards are conferred for outstanding achievements in the performing arts by PHILSTAGE member-companies such as Actors Actors, Inc. (AAI), Ballet Manila (BM), Ballet Philippines (BP), Gantimpala Theater Foundation(GANTIMPALA), Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), Philippine Education Theater Association (PETA), Repertory Philippines (REP), Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), and Triumphant People's Evangelistic Theater Society, Inc. (TRUMPETS).

Awards shall be given for outstanding achievements in production or performance, stage direction, original script/concept, musical direction, choreography, theater performance (individual), musical performance (individual), dance performance (individual), production design, outstanding costume design, and lighting design.

While PHILSTAGE administers the awards, the final recipients will be chosen by an independent Jury Panel selected by the PHILSTAGE Board of Directors from a roster of respected critics, performing artists, cultural researchers and scholars, and the general public.

An initial list of invited jury members has been drawn up while a limited number is open to application by the general public. Confirmed jury applicants and invited jury members shall serve a one-year term of office starting January 2008. They shall enjoy the the privilege of watching all PHILSTAGE productions for the given year, to which tickets will be issued gratis. Only those who have watched all the productions identified for awards consideration may participate in the selection of quarterly citations and final nominees and awardees come January 2009.

The PHILSTAGE Board of Directors is composed of TP's Dennis Marasigan, president; PETA's Melvin Lee, vice president; BP's Sandy Hontiveros, secretary; REP's Gigette Tolentino, treasurer, AAI's Leonardo Lim, BM's Susan Macuja, Gantimpala's Tony Espejo, OPM's Mitch Valdes, TRUMPET's Alvin Dela Pena, and PHILSTAGE Executive Director Elmar Beltran Ingles.

Interested parties may email their curriculum vitae to philstage@tri-isys.com with a cover letter stating their qualifications to serve as Jury Member. Applicants from the audience sector may come from any professional, student, government or NGO sector who have manifested a sustained patronage of cultural productions in the performing arts. They should include in their CV a list of productions watched over the past three years.

Deadline of emailed application is on January 2, 2008. Successful applicants will be notified not later than January 3, 2007 and should be available for the Jury briefing and orientation to be held on January 5, 2008, 3 p.m. at the Tanghalang Pilipino Office at the CCP Production Design Center (back of CCP Main Building).

TANGHALANG PILIPINO PRODUCTIONS AND ARTISTS AMONG THE YEAR'S BEST

Gibbs Cadiz has completed his yearly citations of the best in Philippine Theater for 2007, and we are proud to see several Tanghalang Pilipino productions and their artists in the list.

Leading the list are "Ellas Inocentes” (written by Layeta Bucoy and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio), an entry in the 3rd Virgin Labfest, which is cited as the year's Best One-act Play, and "Insiang" (by Mario O’ Hara, directed by Chris Millado) for Best Full-length play.

"Ellas Inocentes" is described as "A hypnotic, heartbreaking portrait of a pair of warped childhoods, featuring astonishing performances and astute direction. Simply the most compelling entry in this year’s Virgin Labfest."

"Insiang," in turn, is a reworking of Lino Brocka's film into "a brilliant piece of contemporary social realist theater, redolent of the fetid air of lives trapped in shantytown hell. A definitive production, and a triumph for everyone concerned. "

For the performers, citations are a-plenty.

Mailes Kanapi is honored as Best Actress in a play for her portrayal of "Pacing" in "Insiang." As Gibbs writes: "A tour de force. Playing a woman numbed beyond measure and aged beyond her years, Kanapi refused to play her character for sympathy, thereby drawing more of ours with her sensual, bone-chilling performance. "

Also for "Insiang," Mae Paner is named Best Featured Actress in a play. "A gale force of gritty, artless acting, Paner delivered her opening monologue with the grace of a sonic boom, and from there never let go of the audience until the bloody finale."

Two other actors in "Insiang" won nods, though for different productions: Ricky Davao is the year's Best Actor for "Art", while Paolo O'Hara is Best Featured Actor for his performance in "As You Like It."

Other citations for Tanghalang Pilipino productions and actors are:

Best Play (One Act), Honorable Mentions: “Three Sisters” (Yoji Sakate; José Estrella, dir.); “Mga Obra ni Maestra” (Niel de Mesa, writer/director);

Best Actor (Play), Honorable Mentions: Ricky Davao (“Insiang”); Ricky Rivero and Riki Benedicto (“My Padir Is an OFW”)

Best Actress(Play), Honorable Mentions: Sheenly Vee Gener (“Insiang”); Lovely Balili and Ness Roque (“Ellas Inocentes”); Kalila Aguilos (“Ang Mga Huwad”); Abbey Gonzales (“Mga Obra ni Maestra”)

Best Featured Actor(Play), Honorable mention: Paolo O’Hara (“Ang Mga Huwad”);

Best Featured Actress(Play), Honorable Mention: Peewee O’Hara (“Insiang”)

Best Musical, Honorable Mention: “Pilipinas Circa 1907” (musical direction by Chino Toledo, libretto by Nicanor Tiongson; Dennis Marasigan, dir.);

Best Actor(Musical) Honorable mentions: Nar Cabico (“ZsaZsa Zaturnnah”); Miguel Castro (“Pilipinas Circa 1907”);

Best Actress(Musical) Honorable Mentions: Ana Feleo and Lani Ligot (“Pilipinas Circa 1907”);

Best Featured Actor(Musical), Honorable Mentions: Nazer Salcedo and Bong Cabrera (“Pilipinas Circa 1907”);

Best Featured Actress(Musical),Honorable mentions: Jing Reyna, Wenah Nagales and Mia Bolaños (“Pilipinas Circa 1907”)

Read the complete list here.

AUDITIONS!

DAVID HENRY HWANGS’ “GOLDEN CHILD” AND ROCK MUSICAL “EJ” ON THE LIFE OF EVELIO JAVIER AND EDGAR JOPSON

Tanghalang Pilipino will hold open auditions for two forthcoming productions: the rock musical “EJ:Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson” scheduled in February and March 2008, and the Philippine premiere of David Henry Hwang’s “GOLDEN CHILD ” which will run from August to September 2008.

The rock musical “EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Edgar Jopson at Evelio Javier” is written by Palanca Hall of Fame awardee Ed Maranan with music by The Dawn under the direction of Chris Millado. Auditions are scheduled from 5pm to 9pm on December 19 and 20, 5pm to 9pm, at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, 4th Floor, Cultural Center of the Philippines. Those interested must be prepared to perform a song of their choice and another song from the album “Tulad ng Dati” by The Dawn.

“GOLDEN CHILD” wll be performed in both English and Filipino under the direction of Loy Arcenas, who also directed “The Romance of Magno Rubio/Ang Romansa ni Magno Rubio.” Needed are actors and actresses adept in both languages and will be available for the run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and provincial performances in Cebu and other cities. The roles to be cast as required are as follows:
ACTORS: 1) Asian, 30’s to 50’s. Must have a sense of humor.
2) English or can speak with a British Accent
ACTRESSES: 1) Dragon woman, very much with gravitas.
2) Dragon woman, very shrewd, scheming. Must have good and subtle comic timing
3) Ingenue. Tragic. Must carry emotional weight.
4) Girl who can pass for ten years old and speak with the voice of an 85-yr old woman.

Audtions for “GOLDEN CHILD” will be on Saturday and Sunday, December 15 and 16, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Bulwagang Amado Hernandez, Upper Basement, Cultural Center of the Philippines, with call backs on December 18 and 19 at 9:00 am. Sides in English and Filipino will be provided during the auditions.

The rock musical “EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Edgar Jopson at Evelio Javier” is written by Palanca Hall of Fame awardee Ed Maranan with music by The Dawn under the direction of Chris Millado. Auditions are scheduled from 5pm to 9pm on December 19 and 20, 5pm to 9pm, at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, 4th Floor, Cultural Center of the Philippines. Those interested must be prepared to perform a song of their choice and another song from the album “Tulad ng Dati” by The Dawn.

For inquiries, please call Tanghalang Pilipino at telephone number 832-3661 or 832-1125 loc. 1620 or 1621. Visit the Tanghalang Pilipino website www.tanghalangpilipino.com or send an email to tanghalanwebsite@yahoo.com.

Back from Shanghai!

Tanghalang Pilipino's HIMALA, THE MUSICAL completed its two-night run at the 2007 Asian Contemporary Theater Festival at the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre Drama Salon on November 22-23, 2007. Based on the audience reaction, the play connected even to the non-English speaking native Chinese.

More detailed report on the performances, with photos, coming soon!

RICKY DAVAO is back to make life miserable for INSIANG

Multi-awarded film, television, and stage actor RICKY DAVAO steps away from goody-goody roles and makes life miserable for INSIANG in the stage adaptation of Lino Brocka’s landmark film which goes back on stage at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Huseng Batute beginning November 16, 2007.

Ricky plays Dado, the lover of Insiang’s mother whose desires on her lead to misery, death and ultimately, revenge. Playing alongside Ricky is Sheenly Vee Gener as Insiang and Mailes Kanapi as her mother, Pacing.

Already the recipient of an Aliw Award for his role in Insiang, Ricky welcomes the chance to revisit the role. “It excites me to still find new things about the character,” he says, while admitting performing onstage is what he finds most fulfilling. “I really set aside time to do theater productions at least once a year.”

Also in the cast of INSIANG are Mae Paner, Peewee O’Hara, Paolo O’Hara, Roeder Camañag, Donnel Bolaños, Vanni Liwanag and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company. Presented by Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, INSIANG is written by Mario O’Hara and directed by Chris Millado, with set design by Hesus “Bobot” Lota, lighting by Joey Nombres, sound design by Jethro Joaquin, and fight choreography by Jack Yabut.

INSIANG performances are at 8:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 3:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays from November 16 to December 2. For tickets and other information, call the CCP Boxk Office (832-3704), Ticketworld (891-9999), or Tanghalang Pilipino (832-2661), or visit www.brighteyedboys.com/insiang or http://www.tanghalangpilipino.com/.

NEWSFLASH! ZSA ZSA ZATURNNAH Cebu performances postponed

The performances of ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH ZE MUZIKAL in Cebu City originally scheduled for this weekend (Nov. 16-18) have been moved to March next year.

HIMALA THE MUSICAL travels to Shanghai

Tanghalang Pilipino’s production of HIMALA, THE MUSICALE has been invited as the official Philippine entry to the Asian Contemporary Theater Festival in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China this November.

A moving story about faith and faithfulness, truth and delusion, HIMALA, THE MUSICALE is based on the landmark film by National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal about a young woman, Elsa, who claims to have spoken to the Virgin Mary during an eclipse and begins to exhibit healing powers. Written by Ricky Lee with music and lyrics by Vincent de Jesus, the musical adaptation has won Aliw Awards for director Soxie Topacio and lead performer May Bayot, who plays Elsa.

Also in the cast of outstanding performers are Isay Alvarez (as the prostitute Nimia), Cynthia Culig Guico (as Chayong), Mia Bolaños (as Aling Saling), Lionel Guico (as Orly), Jay Cruz (as Pilo), Bong Embile (as Igmeng Bugaw), and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors’ Company. Gino Padilla designs the production while Dennis Marasigan is Technical Director.

HIMALA, THE MUSICALE will be performed at the Drama Salon of the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre at 7pm on November 22 and 23, 2007. Tanghalang Pilipino’s participation in the festival is made possible with the cooperation of the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai.

GEE GEE AT WATERINA and WELCOME TO INTELSTAR in Silliman

The rolicking one-act plays WELCOME TO INTELSTAR and GEE GEE AT WATERINA will be presented by Tanghalang Pilipino at the Silliman University's Luce Auditorium, Dumaguete City on Saturday, November 10, 2007, at 3:00 and 8:00 P.M.

WELCOME TO INTELSTAR introduces the audience to Ma'am Chelsea, a call-center trainor, as she welcomes her company's new recruits. Written and Directed by Palanca Award-Winner CHris Martinez, WELCOME TO INTELSTAR features stage luminary Mailes Kanapi as Ma'am Chelsea.

GEE GEE AT WATERINA is J. Dennis Teodosio's fictionalized retelling of an evening in the life of a once-upon-a-war comfort gay and his politician benefactor. Veteran Lou Veloso shares the stage with Paolo Cabanero, directed by Roobak Valle.

These performances of WELCOME TO INTELSTAR and GEE GEE AT WATERINA are under the auspicies of the Office of the President of Silliman University.

ZSA ZSA ZATURNNAH INVADES CEBU!

The year’s best stage event invades Cebu this November!

Tanghalang Pilipino’s production of “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal” goes onstage at the SM Cebu Cinema 1 on November 16 to 18 at 3pm and 8pm, sure to give Cebuanos a rip-roaring time as the beloved parlorista turned bodacious superhero shows off her powers outside of Manila for the very first time.

Playing Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah once again is singer-comedienne K Brosas. Already famous for her television appearances in Bitoy’s Funniest Home Videos and Hokus Pokus plus her villainous turn as Divina Demonica in Mars Ravelo’s Darna, K Brosas combines zany humor and peculiar vulnerability as the red-headed warrior heroine.

Providing ample support to K Brosas are some of the country’s best musical theater artists, among them Arnold Reyes as Dodong, the man with the perfect “noodles”; Kalila Aguilos as the archnemesis Queen Femina Suarestella Baroux, Tuxqs Rutaquio as the gay beautician Ada; Wenah Nagales, Mayen Estanero, Skyzx Labastilla and Cats Racsag as the man-hating Amazonistas, and scene-stealing Nar Cabico as the frilly but lovable sidekick Didi, with able support from the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors’ Company.

“Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah,,Ze Muzikal” was recently adjudged as Best Stage Event in the 24/7 Nocturnal Awards. Based on the phenomenal comic book by Carlo Vergara, the trailblazing musical theater production is directed by 2003 Aliw Awards Best Stage Director Chris Millado from the script adapted by Chris Martinez. The original songs are written and composed by Award-winning composer Vincent de Jesus who also serves as the show’s musical director.

Tickets for this very limited Cebu engagement of “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal” are available at the SM Cebu Cinema lobby and East West Café Ayala. Also call VICTO HAUS (032) 255-3776 (look for Merlin), 0922-532-3028 / 0915-743-7679 (Suset), or 02-832-3661 (Paolo).

“Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal” in Cebu is a collaboration between Tanghalang Pilipino and Elite International.

Visit http://www.tanghalangpilipino.com/ or http://www.philippinetheater.blogspot.com/.

Welcome !

Welcome to the Tanghalang Pilipino blogsite!

On this site, you will find news and updates from Tanghalang Pilipino, "the foremost exponent of Philippine Theater" and the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. More importantly, you will get to read behind-the-scene stories about the company's productions and events, direct from the Artistic Director of the company.

So, do come back often and let us know what you think!

Dennis N. Marasigan
Artistic Director,
Tanghalang Pilipino
(Philippine Theater)