Monday, February 17, 2014

Repertory Philippines stages Pulitzer Prize winning play August: Osage County


February 21, 20148:00 PM
February 22, 20143:30 & 8:00 PM
February 23, 20143:30 PM

February 28, 20148:00 PM
March 1, 20143:30 & 8:00 PM
March 2, 2014, 3:30 PM

March 7, 20148:00 PM
March 8, 20143:30 & 8:00 PM
March 9, 20143:30 PM

March 14, 20148:00 PM
March 15, 20143:30 & 8:00 PM
March 16, 20143:30 PM

Onstage Theater
2nd Level, Greenbelt 1, Greenbelt
Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi St.Ayala Center
Makati, Metro ManilaPhilippines

Most film buffs would recognize August: Osage County as the Academy Award nominated film starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. It’s one of those films that might not set the box office ablaze but instead give serious cinema aficionados a major high that cannot be delivered by the usual blockbuster eye candy. The film may not have a commercial run in the Philippines but local audiences can see August: Osage County, written by Tracy Letts, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as Repertory Philippines stages this riveting play, which was the original source material of the film, this February 21-March 9, 2014 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1 in Makati.

Leo Rialp, Sheila Francisco, Pinky Amador, Baby Barredo, Chris Millado,
Liesl Batucan and Tami Monsod

This play, a black comedy centers on the Westons, a middle-class family from Oklahoma. When the Weston patriarch disappears, it sets into motion events that eventually make each member of the Weston family (each already nursing their own wounds and harboring a dark secret) sink deeper into misery. All this may sound like a typical Filipino soap opera but the cast claims that what sets this apart from the usual television series is the terse and intense writing with each scene by every character vital to the story. And Baby Barredo jokingly adds that the script is generously showered with expletives. Because of this, Repertory Philippines cautions that the material may not be suitable for children under the age of ten and those under the age of four will not be permitted inside the theater.

Kenneth Moraleda and Pinky Amador

The powerhouse cast of August: Osage County is led by theater pillars Baby Barredo (Violet Weston), Pinky Amador (Barbara Fordham), Tami Monsod (Ivy Weston), Liesl Batucan (Karen Weston) and Leo Rialp (Beverly Weston). They are joined by Kenneth Moraleda (Bill Fordham), Sheila Francisco (Mattie Fae Aiken and Violet Weston understudy), Thea Gloria (Jean Fordham), Richard Cunanan (Charlie Aiken), Hans Eckstein (Steve Heidebrecht), Noel Rayos (“Little” Charles Aiken), Angeli Bayani (Johnna Monevata). Rounding up the cast are Naths Everett (Johnna Monevata understudy) and Arnel Carrion (Sheriff Deon Gilbeau). The play will be directed by theater veteran and the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Vice President and Artistic Director, Chris Millado.

Thea Gloria, Leo Rialp, Richard Cunanan, Kenneth Moraleda and Pinky Amador

I’ve said before that I find straight plays a more fulfilling experience compared to musicals which might surprise a lot of people. I am more invested in the performance, pay more attention not just to what is being said but also how everything is presented which results in a greater payback for me.

Seated from left to right: Angeli Bayani, Sheila Francisco, Thea Gloria,
Pinky Amador, Baby Barredo, Chris Millado and Tami Monsod
Standing from left to right: Leo Rialp, Kenneth Moraleda, Hans Eckstein,
Noel Rayos, Richard Cunanan and Liesl Batucan

Ticket prices:
P600 Orchestra Center
P500 Orchestra Side
P400 Balcony

Ticket prices for the March 16, 2014, 3:30 PM show:
P1000 Orchestra Center
P600 Orchestra Side
P500 Balcony

For inquiries:
Repertory Philippines 571-6926, 571-4941, shows@repertoryphilippines.com
TicketWorld 891-9999

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