Tanghalang Ateneo opens its 38th season with “Boy,” a thought-provoking new play by award-winning American playwright Anna Ziegler, running Oct. 19-Nov. 12 at Ateneo de Manila’s Black Box Theater (Fine Arts Annex).
The play, which just had its world premiere produced by Keen Company in New York City earlier this year, is translated into Filipino by Guelan Varela-Luarca and directed by Ed Lacson Jr.
Boy is a story of self-realization and gender identity, a journey to find one’s self amid doubt and confusion. The play follows the life of Adam Turner who, as a newborn baby, had an unfortunate medical accident, after which his parents deciding to raise him as a girl upon the advice of a renowned psychologist.
As Adam grows older, his confusion about who he is and what he wants to become in life becomes more and more apparent that his parents eventually decide to reveal to him his biological gender.
The discovery leads Adam to recreate himself, severing all communication with his psychologist. Cholo Ledesma plays this challenging title role.
Teroy Guzman plays Dr. Wendell Barnes, Adam’s psychologist. Passionate about his work and ideals, Dr. Barnes has trouble looking past his own intentions to see the tragic consequences of his actions.
Camille Abaya plays Jenny, Adam’s love interest.