Tanghalang Pilipino, resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, will open its 27th season (2013-2014) with a children’s musical.

 

Luis Gatmaitan’s Palanca award-winning children’s book “Sandosenang Sapatos” will be adapted for the stage by Layeta Bucoy with music by Noel Cabangon and Jed Balsamo.

 

“The musical was commissioned by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People in cooperation with CCP as part of the celebration of the 28th National Children’s Book Day in July later this year,” says artistic director Fernando “Nanding” Josef.

 

“The play is about a shoemaker who dreams of having a daughter who will become a ballerina but ends up with a crippled daughter. Audiences will see how he shows her his love.”

 

TP board member and Inquirer columnist Tessa Prieto Valdes will have a special guest role in the show.

 

“Sandosenang Sapatos” runs July 13 -21 with 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. shows to accommodate student audiences.

 

Indigenous myths, world classics

 

The Rody Vera-Carol Bello musical “Ibalong,” based on a myth dealing with the origins of Bicol, will tour Legazpi, Albay, before returning to Manila as the season’s second production from Aug. 30 to Sept. 15.

 

“Ibalong” had its world premiere last year with Jenine Desiderio in the titular role.

 

Vera wrote the adaptation with music by Bello.

 

The same cast is expected to reprise their roles for the restaging this year.

 

This will be followed by “The Merchant of Venice: Der Kaufmann,” Vera’s Tagalog adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play about a Jewish moneylender who seeks revenge against a Christian merchant who has defaulted on a loan.

 

“Vera’s adaptation locates the action in the Holocaust, with Nazis directing imprisoned gay Jews.” This show runs Sept. 27-Oct. 13.

 

National heroes, Filipino families

 

From Nov. 29 to Dec. 8, as part of the sesquicentennial birth anniversary of national hero Andres Bonifacio on Nov. 30, TP will stage the world premiere of the opera “San Andres B.”

 

“Internationally acclaimed Filipino opera singers Abdul Candao and Clarissa Ocampo have already signed on to perform,” Josef says.

 

Libretto is by National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario and music by Josefino “Chino” Toledo.

 

“Bonifacio led the early stirrings of aspiring for Philippine nationhood but he’s considered to be an underrated hero compared to the highly recognized Jose Rizal,” adds Josef. “This production can help open the consciousness of Filipinos, especially of the youth, to the great virtues of Bonifacio.”

 

The season concludes in 2014 with National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin’s “Mga Ama, Mga Anak.” The production will use a Tagalog translation by Almario and Pete Lacaba of Joaquin’s English play that deals with conflicts between generations of Zacarias Monzon’s family and their fall from power.

 

Josef says that there are plans to cast film and television actors in some of the roles.

 

This show will run Feb. 21-March 9, 2014.

 

All productions feature members of Actors Company, TP’s resident pool of actors. AC scholars, apprentices and members go through continuous training in acting, movement, dance, voice, script analysis, improvisation, directing and other related courses.

 

Collaborators

 

TP associate artistic director Tuxqs Rutaquio is slated to direct the first three productions of the season, with Vera co-directing “Der Kaufmann.”

 

Floy Quintos is attached to direct “San Andres B,” while Joel Lamangan has been tapped to direct “Mga Ama.”

 

TP resident technical director Katsch Catoy will handle lighting design for the entire season except for “Mga Ama,” which will be lighted by Monino Duque.

 

All productions will be staged at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, except for “Sandosenang Sapatos” and “Der Kaufmann,” which will be staged at Tanghalang Huseng Batute.

 

“Ibalong” is available for booking as a touring production to different venues. Also available for touring is “Walang Kukurap,” written by Layeta Bucoy and directed by Rutaquio.

 

“Walang Kukurap” premiered last year and is a suspense thriller about a first-time vice mayor candidate sucked into corruption, deceit and murder.

 

“It’s part of TP’s commitment to spread awareness about corruption and political dynasties,” says Josef.

 

All shows are open for sponsors and show buyers. Group, student and senior citizen discounts available. Contact tel. 8321125 loc. 1620 to 1621, 2183791, 0917-7500107 and 0918-9593949. Tickets also available through Ticketworld (tel. 8919999).