Filipino cast of “The Wong Kids”, clockwise from top right, Blanche Buhia as Violet, Marco Viaña as Prognosticator and Gyoza, Aika Zabala as Nobody and Gimbop, Jonathan Tadioan as Qweeguin and Mars and Bandersnatch; Julienne Mendoza as Canute and Mailman; and Aldo Vencilao as Bruce. CONTRIBUTED Photo from CCO/Kiko Cabuena)

The Cultural Center of the Philippines and Ma-Yi Theater Company, in association with Tanghalang Pilipino and Philippine Air Lines with the support of Stage Craft International present “The Wong Kids in The Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!” on September 16, 21, 22, 23 (10 am); Sept. 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 (2 pm); and Sept. 15, 17, 24 (8 pm) at the CCP Little Theater.

Using a mix of action-driven storytelling, puppetry, and visual magic, the production, which will be staged in English, is a story about the superpowered characters Violet and Bruce Wong who travel to outer space in order to stop an evil beast called the Space Chupacabra. Playwright is Lloyd Suh and director is Ralph B. Peña.

The Filipino cast consists of Aldo Vencilao, Blanche Louise Buhia, Aika Zabala, Jonathan Tadioan, Marco Viaña and Juliene Mendoza.

Critics such as The New York Times praised the production for its “exuberantly imaginative adventure for children… embeds its messages in fun, and its insistence on being extraordinary proves the upside of standing out,” while the Times Square Chronicles called it “a must see… filled with imagination, spontaneity, comedy and heart, it is both moving and hilarious. Multi-layered, it is geared towards children and adults.”

Ma-Yi Theater Company develops new plays that explore and affect Asian-American experiences while challenging the perceptions of what culturally specific theater should be. By producing forward thinking plays by today’s emerging playwrights, Ma-Yi Theater Company believes that theater can play an important part in breaking down barriers and increasing the understanding and appreciation of the cultural and ethnic diversity of our contemporary society.

Ma-Yi Theater Company has won a number of accolades including the 2010 Special Drama Desk Award for more than two decades of excellence and for nurturing Asian-American voices in stylistically varied and engaging theater.

Over the course of its 24-year history, Ma-Yi and its affiliated artists have garnered nine Obie Awards, and numerous Henry Hewes Award nominations. Ma-Yi Theater Company is under the guidance of Ralph B. Peña, Artistic Director and Jorge Z. Ortoll, Executive Director.

For inquiries, contact the CCP Marketing 832-3704/3706 and Tanghalang Pilipino at 832-1125 loc. 1620-1621.