The restaging of the Philippine production of the Tony Award-winning play “M. Butterfly” on Sept. 21 (Friday, 8 p.m.) will help raise funds for Ricky Lee’s Trip to Quiapo Free Scriptwriting Workshop.
R.S. Francisco will reprise his role as Song Liling, 28 years after he first took on the role in Dulaang UP’s production. He stars alongside Olivier Borten, Mayen Estañero, Lee O’Brian, Norman McLeod, Maya Encila and Pinky Amador.
Written by David Henry Hwang, “M. Butterfly” is based on the intriguing real-life espionage love affair between a French diplomat and a Chinese opera singer that was the cause célèbre of France in 1986.
Directed by Kanakan Balintagos, the restaging of “M. Butterfly” is running until Sept. 30 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Taguig. Net proceeds from each performance will benefit, aside from Lee’s workshops, Dulaang UP, Love Yourself Foundation, Hope for Change, Philippine Stages Foundation and Philippine Science High School.
Lee, who has written over 160 scripts for films, has been holding his free movie and TV scriptwriting workshops since 1982.
“I am proud to say that up to now I’m still able to conduct this free workshop,” Lee said. “ The fellows also have feedback sessions within the week. That’s why it’s taxing and gruelling for me. But I enjoy every moment of it because I get to help others.”
“I already set aside a book project I am working on,” he said. “And conducting the workshop is also expensive.
All the food and the materials for the workshop are free. That’s why every week, we are looking for people who would donate money for food.” –CONTRIBUTED
Call 8919999, 0917-5331948, 0926-3746766; visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.