REPERTORY PHILIPPINES' INITIAL OFFERING FOR 2016.....

Aggie Wheeler And Simon Bright..... A Mysterious Letter.....
The Seance..... Daria Confronts Martha..... William Gillette, Inspector Goring And Felix Geisel..... It's 2016 and Repertory Philippines has opened its new season with the hilarious play "The Game's Afoot" by Ken Ludwig

The setting is the 1930s and the main character William Gillette is an actor who is best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. He invites the cast of his latest play to his house to celebrate Christmas when all hell breaks loose and someone dies. He now has to channel his alter ego as he tries to solve the real life mystery. Ms Joy Virata heads the impressive cast as she plays Martha Gillette. She shares the same role with Jay Valencia Glorioso. Pinky Amador is Daria Chase while Paul Holme is William Gillette. Jeremy Domingo is Gillette's best friend Felix Geisel while Christine Flores is Felix's wife Madge. Natalie Everett portrays Inspector Goring. Hans Eckstein and Mica Pineda are the scheming couple Simon Bright and Aggie Wheeler. Miguel Faustmann directs the production. The play runs from January 15 to February 7, 2016 at Onstage Greenbelt 1.

I actually like the play. If I wasn't busy with taking pictures, I would have sat back on my chair, watched the play and laughed so hard at the scenes as it unfolds. Eventually, I couldn't control my laughter any longer and just let go. It does surprise me though that I understand and like British farce.

THE STORY OF FOUR COUPLES.....

Joy Virata And Miguel Faustmann In Action.....








































I had the chance to go, watch and shoot the dress rehearsal of Repertory Philippines' opening salvo for 2010. The play is called "Duets" which was written by Peter Quilter. What is unique about this play is that the four couples whose stories unfold are portrayed only by two thespians who are the pillars of Rep's stable of actors. They are Joy Virata and Miguel Faustmann. Enjoy this romantic comedy and check out how the actors get in to character as they tell the story. Ana Santos-Bitong directs the play. It runs at Greenbelt 1 theater from January 15-31, 2010. Kindly call the theater for the run times of the show.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.....

The Manila Symphony Orchestra.....





Tevye (Miguel Faustmann) And The Male Ensemble.....





Golde (Pinky Marquez) And The Female Ensemble.....





Cris Villonco Leads The Teens.....





Tzeitel and Golde.....





Hodel.....





Tevye, The Poor Dairyman.....





Avrahm And Two VIllagers.....





Tevye's Family With Guests.....





Lazar Wolf.....





Lovebirds Tzietel And Motel.....





The Villagers Merrymaking.....





The Matchmaker.....





The Ghost Of Christmas Past?!?.....





Fyedka, Chava And The Villagers.....





An Awesome Wedding.....





The Fiddler on the Stage.....




I first heard and watched this play when I was in highschool. During one of our alloted AVR time in school, my class watched the original film version of it. What I can recall about this film was the beautiful and catchy music, from the song of the main lead character singing, "If I was a rich man, doobeedebeedeebeedee....." to the group singing of "Sunrise, sunset!", what is there not to like? However, I could not recall the film's story line. All I can remember is that it features a fiddler, it involves tradition and is set in a Jewish community in Russia. I also recall that the movie is a great film, or else my AVR teacher, who is a nun, won't be letting her wards to watch it.

As the photo club I belong to reached an agreement with Repertory Philippines as main picture providers of photographs to be used in press releases, advertising and even for their souvenir programs, we were asked to take photos of their dress rehearsals. And this gave me a chance to refresh my memory and watch the story of Tevye unfold once again.

I really am so impressed with the quality of stage actors and actresses that our country has. For an English as a foreign language speaking nation, we can compete and show others that we can produce English speaking theater productions as a native English speaking country can. And we are versatile enough that we can do varied roles.

Fiddler on the Roof is the last theater production of Repertory Philippines for the year 2007. It formally starts on the 9th of November and runs until December 16. Venue is Greenbelt 1 Onstage. Directed by Baby Barredo and Robbie Guevarra.