Campus-based theater groups are concluding their respective 2011-2012 seasons.
Tanghalang Ateneo caps its season with Suzue Toshiro’s “Fireflies,” a play where several characters are on a lonely search for connection and compassion in contemporary Japanese society.
Using the English translation by David Goodman, the production is directed by BJ Crisostomo and TA artistic director Ricardo Abad; with set design by Ohm David; costumes design by Lhenvil Paneda; lighting design by Jonjon Villareal; and sound design by Michiyo Reyes.
Toshiro, head of Toho College of Music and Drama’s Drama Department, will hold a lecture-discussion on contemporary Japanese theater. It will be open to the public.
Ateneo Blue Repertory, meanwhile, closes its 2011-2012 season with a revival of “Bare,” a rock musical about two gay teenagers struggling to find their place in the world as they are about to graduate from a Catholic high school.
The musical has music, lyrics and book by Jon Hartmere Jr. and Damon Intrabartolo. Blue Rep first premiered this production in 2009.
Ana Abad Santos directs; with musical direction by Onyl Torres; set design by Leeroy New; lighting design by John Batalla; and costume design by Raven Ong.
Admu offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Theater Arts, with concentration in disciplines such as Acting, Directing or Production Design. The program has student performances throughout the school year.
“Fireflies” is ongoing until Feb. 25 at Rizal Mini-Theater, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City. Contact 0920-5847421. Lecture by Toshiro is on Feb. 24 at Fine Arts Theater Studio. Contact 4266001 loc. 5331.
“Bare” runs Feb. 29-Mar. 10 at Teatrino Theater, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan. Contact 0916-5787618 or nicojardin12@yahoo.com.
Guerrero birth centennial
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas wraps up its 2011-2012 season with a staging of National Artist for Theater Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero’s “Forsaken House” in celebration of his birth centennial.
Directed by Tony Mabesa, the play is set in the early 1940s and shows the struggles of the controlling Don Ramon and his repressed children.
This is the first time the group will stage this play.
Leo Rialp and Joel Lamangan alternate as Don Ramon. Irma Adlawan and Tess Dumpit alternate as Don Ramon’s submissive wife Encarna.
Guerrero was a prolific playwright whose works were translated into several languages and performed internationally.
He handled UP’s Dramatic Club as artistic director. The organization eventually became Dulaang UP.
The theater where he staged most of his productions, then known as Liberal Arts Lecture Hall, was renamed after him in 1976. DUP uses the Guerrero Theater to this day.
“Forsaken House” will have costume design by Eric Pineda; set design by Ohm David; and set decoration by Gywn Guanzon; lighting design by Meliton Roxas; music by Boron Garcia, and sound design by Jethro Joaquin.
Dulaang UP is under the university’s Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts, which offers certificate and degree programs in Theater Arts. Aside from its season lineup, the group also stages its students’ thesis productions under its Dulaang Laboratoryo series throughout the school year.
“The Forsaken House” runs Feb. 15-Mar. 4 at Wilfrido Guerrero Theater, University of the Philippines, Quezon City. Contact 0917-7500107 or 9261349.