CURTAINS will roll up and spotlights will hit the stage at the CCP Black Box Theater as Tanghalang Pilipino opens its 37th theater season in September.
The resident drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) unveiled on Sunday the theme of this year’s theater season, which is titled, “Unfilter.”
“What does it mean to be completely free? Here comes UNFILTER! where we unleash our truest, bravest, and most honest selves with these UNFILTERed upcoming productions,” it said.
The 37th season will feature three productions that theater fans can watch from September 2023 to March 2024.
Interested viewers may now reserve tickets for the following shows:
Anak Datu
Viewers will have another chance to rewatch Anak Datu, a play that Tanghalang Pilipino first staged in September 2022.
Based on the original story of the same name by National Artist Abdulmari Imao, Anak Datu is a play with music that follows the story of a son of a village chieftain who was born in captivity during pre-colonial Philippines and grew up believing that his father was a former pirate.
The theatrical adaptation was written by Roy Vera and directed by Chris Millado. Josefino Chino Toledo served as the play’s musical director.
Tanghalang Pilipino said that Carlos Dala and Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan will reprise their roles as Toym Imao/ Binatang Karim and Putli Loling, respectively. The rest of the cast who will join the actors will be announced soon.
Anak Datu will run from September 29 to October 15.
Sandosenang Sapatos
Sandosenang Sapatos will also be restaged in TP’s theater season this year.
This musical play tells the story of Susie, who dreams of fulfilling her father’s wish to have a ballerina daughter. But she was born with no legs. The story is based on a children’s story of the same name written by Dr. Luis Gatmaitan.
Layeta Bucoy wrote the stage adaptation, with music by Joed Balsamo and Noel Cabangon.
The drama company said Felicity Kyle Napuli and Wincess Jem Yana would alternate for the role of Susie, while the other cast members have yet to be announced.
It added that the show would be directed by Jonathan Tadioan. Tadioan played the role of Tatay in the 2013 production directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio.
Sandosenang Sapatos will be shown again starting November 17 up to December 3.
Pingkian: Isang Musikal
Pingkian: Isang Musikal is the final production for the 37th season.
Written by Juan Ekis, this full-length stage musical revolves around the life of Filipino general Emilio Jacinto from the end of the Philippine revolution in 1898 to the beginning of the Philippine-American War in 1899.
Tanghalang Pilipino said that Vic Robinson would portray Jacinto/Pingkian. The name Pingkian is Jacinto’s alias in the Katipunan.
Gab Pangilinan, on the other hand, will bring to life the character of the general’s widow, Catalina de Jesus.
The stage adaptation will be helmed by Jenny Jamora, with music by Ejay Yatco.
Pingkian: Isang Musikal will be staged from March 1 to March 24, 2024.
