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.

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/.