PETA's 42nd Theatre Season

“[The] 42^nd theatre season brings together four productions that intend to take our audiences on a journey that will reveal iconic characters of Philippine society – familiar characters given new life through fresh, interesting and innovative approaches that will capture not only their rich stories, but also the wellsprings of our creative artistry.”

-- from PETA Season rationale

The Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA) recently held a press launch for the media, educators, students and other theatre enthusiasts to give a sneak preview of its 42^nd season offering.

Heading the lineup is another modernised take on Rizal's Noli and Fili. Adapted by seasoned playwright Nic Tiongson, the contemporary play titled “Noli at Fili Dekada Dos Mil” centers on current social and political issues that echo the timeless social cancer that Rizal dealt with in his time. This is the most serious of all the four plays of the season, as it also deals with major environmental issues facing our society today. Personally, I am very interested in this piece, as Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are my lifetime favorite novels. Coming off from having seen the contemporary take on the Fili by Dulaang UP's musical “Isang Panaginip na Fili” staged last year, I am expecting PETA's play will likewise be worth the buzz. I admit, just watching the sneak peak already made me misty-eyed.

Second in the offing is the lighter classic “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” that also goes on mobile presentation to delight and invoke social and moral values from a wider audience and romanticists alike. In my opinion, Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang will serve as a breather before PETA embarks on another serious play with “Ismail at Isabel,” which deals with the rights of children and major religious differences and practices in the country. This time the significant issues will be seen through the eyes of two children, borne of different beliefs.

The last production to be staged on the first quarter of 2010 is a very timely play about the election. Yup, it's Philippine presidential election time once again next year and the vaudeville style of the play, “Boto: Another Musical” (the title is longer than that) is sure to send the audience sliding off their seats and rolling on the floor laughing at the very real, very true portrayals of the Philippine political situation. The sneak preview already induced the above reactions, and surely left me wanting to come back for more. It's several months of a long wait, but I have high expectations that it will be worth it.

For theatre enthusiasts, PETA's 42^nd season is one you wouldn't want to miss.

Hey, wow... I'm a JUDGE!

JUDGE DREADFUL…NOT!

Surprise, surprise! I was invited by a friend to (gasp!) judge a dance competition among her students in Humanities.

I was loathe to accept her invite, as I don’t dance very well myself (read: two left feet!) but she sounded desperate and really needed help, so for friendship’s sake (I could almost hear her singing Dionne Warwick) I nodded. This was actually a first and I was afraid I’d be a dreadful judge and disappoint her. Not that I don’t appreciate dancing, I know how to critique a dance and I’m familiar with those dance categories. I know good dancing when I see it. Well, I learn tips and absorb the criticisms thrown by the 'real' judges when I watch some dancing shows on TV. Just, really, the dance floor is not my stage.

My fellow judges were younger and dancers themselves. It turned out, we more less, jibed with our judging - no pun intended. And tallying our scores based on the criteria, we all agreed with the results and the winners: the High School Musical-type of ballroom and pop dance won third; the groovy and funky hip-hop group won second; and the first was the group that presented a modern folk dance with twists of combined Tinikling, Pandanggo sa Ilaw and Palayok, to the tune of “…be careful what you wish for ‘cause you just might get it!” It had good concept, good choreograph and precise execution.

I had a real good time.

SPELL B-E-E

Review of Spelling Bee
Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Directed by Bobby Garcia
Atlantis Productions

I was among the recipients of the invitational premiere of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “Spelling Bee” held March 18th at the Carlos Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati. Staged by Atlantis Productions in celebration of its 10th Anniversary, the play’s limited run starts March 20th until April 4th.

The play is just a simple story of a spelling competition, aptly dubbed the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” It gathered together students who came with different approaches to whizzing the contest, and equally unique, quirky personalities and social ineptitude.
The local production of the musical is able to bring together effective performances of the lead characters. The notable quiz bee contestants are the 'usual suspects.' In kids’ terminology, there’s your typical geek; there’s a nerd; and an over-achiever who knows six languages. One speller has gay couple for parents and rallies for socio-political issues; another is financially challenged with a parent who is 'finding herself'; and still another spells with his ‘magic foot’ and creates his own personal space. Throughout the play, the contestants spell – of course – and portray their life’s circumstances on the side.

The music and dialogues are fun and light-hearted with tender moments. The spelling entrees work up the audience laughter – witty, funny and major nosebleed-inducer (a.k.a. never-heard-this-before)! There is a special audience interaction, which is part of the play’s surprise.
Suffice to say, “Spelling Bee” is a worthy treat for children and students to watch, although in my opinion, it may be rated PG rather than GP, as there is a ‘hormonal issue’ tackled in the story – one that rhymes with election.

The musical is not all spectacular – one is bound for disappointment if they are expecting grandiose production designs, overly dramatic scene or breathtaking revelation for climax. However, if you’re looking for an evening of entertainment and relaxation, the stage of Spelling Bee is worth visiting. The simplicity of it is actually what makes it work.

And to quote Reader's Digest, it pays to enrich your vocabulary. That is, if you spell correctly.

Do I need an introduction?

I hope not. I think I'll leave it to those interview questions like, "Well, tell me something about yourself." That basic question during a job interview which I really hate to answer.

Let me just say I'm here to write about life and just about, it. So ordinary, if not altogether boring days, and special events or club activities or concerts or just about anything of my life's experiences will suffice.

A friend sitting next to me asks, "Why?"

I want to. Why not, it's a free world wide web.