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| ...I got so absorbed by the material -- I do hope that speaks about how beautiful and thought-provoking this play is... Superb acting by the cast too -- we had Ana Abad Santos as Candida (Irma Adlawan-Marasigan alternates), Liesl Batucan as Paula and Joel Trinidad as Bitoy. ...the second act played host to one of the finest performances I've ever seen, whether on- or off-stage, thanks to the Dons and Doñas who shared the spotlight with Candida and Paula. - from J Journals http://bluearden.blogspot.com/2009/01/portrait-of-artist-as-filipino.html *********************** ...the set design is very classic old Manila. You really feel as if you are transported to another era. It really sets the whole mood of the play very effectively. ...it is always so gratifying to watch great actors at work. Last night, Ana Abad Santos and Liesl Batucan bring the sisters Candida and Paula Marasigan, the hearts and souls of this play, to life so convincingly. I enjoyed the humorous interactions between the sisters and empathized with their problems. They really felt like our own old aunts whom we all want to help out. ...Paula is so infused with innocence and shyness, and the transformation she undergoes was so palpably essayed by Ms. Batucan. I felt that Paula is the showier role and Ms. Batucan took it to town. Ms. Ana Abad-Santos' Candida is more underplayed, the portrayal was quiet yet strong, staying true to character. Her scene where she tells Paula what happens at the Bureau of Science was so heart-tugging. Her scenes while waiting up for Paula to come home were so serene yet tense. Candida will be alternatively played by veteran Ms. Irma Adlawan. Her interpretation of Candida should be interesting to watch out for also. Joel Trinidad was a dapper Bitoy with his new head of hair. This guy is really good as the narrator that brings the story together for us. Randy Villarama played the rascal boarder Tony Javier with just the right amount of charm and smarm. - from Fred H http://3xhcch.multiply.com/ *********************** Repertory Philippines is able to evoke nostalgia even among viewers who have no direct memory of pre-war Manila. Viewers will be delighted by the magnificent Marasigan home decorated with an ornate chandelier, a baby piano on one side, and two large capiz windows. The excellent lighting design gives the impression of passing time and the windows maximize the effect. As the day ends, lights cast an orange glow on the surroundings, mimicking the setting sun. Even though the story mainly revolves around Candida and Paula, Portrait has an ensemble cast that provides memorable moments all throughout the two-and-half-hour play. In the last portion of the period play, friends of Don Lorenzo stream in one by one to celebrate the Feast of La Naval. Listing them is a Who's Who of Philippine theater: Baby Barredo, Chinggoy Alonso, Ernie Zarate, among others. Memory lapses aside, they provide jolly repartee that imparts their fondness for the good ol' days. The two stars of the show, portrayed by Irma Adlawan-Marasigan and Liesl Batucan on opening night last January 16, were both impressive as "useless old maids" trying to hold on to their pride and dignity. by Jocelyn Dimaculangan PEP REVIEW: "Portrait of an Artist as Filipino" Monday, January 19, 2009 http://www.pep.ph/guide/3247/PEP-REVIEW:-Portrait-of-an-Artist-as-Filipino *********************** The opening night crowd at Repertory Philippines’ production of Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino were treated to a wonderful experience. Jose Mari Avellana’s production was very carefully studied and crafted. Excellent actors and actresses were cast. A beautiful set, designed by director Avellana, was constructed to resemble houses in Intramuros prior to the Second World War. The period sounding musical background was designed by Lamberto Avellana, Jr.,…got us to identify the period much better. The performance of the ensemble cast was stunning. Irma Adlawan-Marsigan of Tanghalang Pilipino, was perfect as Candida. Liesl Batucan likewise was correctly cast as Paula. Nothing but praise can be said for Joel Trinidad’s performance as Bitoy, in the same way that Dido de la Paz’s performance as Don Perico was very impressive. He should have been given an ovation on his exit. Randy Villarama’s looks were what was needed for his role as Tony Javier and he gave a very good performance. Jay Glorioso and Jeremy Domingo as Pepang and Manolo, Candida and Paula’s sister and brother, also gave memorable performances. The same can be said about the rest of the cast including Jenny Jamora and Astarte Villarama as the two vaudeville dancers, the "old friends" played by Baby Barredo, Ernie Zarate, Celso Ylagan, Oliver Usison, Lorna Lopez, Chinggoy Alonso and Bonggoy Manahan. I should not leave out Jejie Esguerra and Dingdong Rosales as the two cops since they also were convincing in their roles. by Juan Lanuza Business World Wednesday, January 21, 2009 *********************** When a production of this play is as good as the current Repertory Philippines’ A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, one comes to a masterpiece of a play. …this play delivers what is expected and goes beyond it to realms of reflection, layers of experience, and a spate of emotional storms that describe and manifest the identities of all concerned. The Intramuros set is just about perfect with its sense of art deco style and notes of lingering nostalgia. The dynamics between the characters mesmerizes. Don Perico explains himself with eloquence, Candida and Paula exhibit a sense of bewilderment while Bitoy Camacho, the sympathetic outsider, tries to observe and explain, understand and feel what the Marasigan family is undergoing. The acting is superlative and the pace of the play engages the audience to follow it word for word, gesture by gesture and scene by scene with unflagging interest. Nick Joaquin would have approved of this production.. Repertory Philippines gets this play just right and demonstrates once again the heights it has reached as a repertory theater, actors’ workshop and cradle for dramatic arts. Bibot Amador, its founding spirit, surely approves from her perch high above us in a happier universe. Mabuhay to Repertory Philippines and it’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino. by Ma. Isabel Ongpin The Manila Times Friday, January 23, 2009 *********************** The cast delivers with panache this tale of two spinster sisters living with their father in pre-World War II Manila. Lighting designer Martin Esteva magically recreates shafts of sunlight pouring into the room through two windows. It is, in one glance, both a stately home and a crumbling establishment. The production design sets the tone of this play where the characters are trapped in a time and place that has become disconnected with who they are and who they wish to be. An ensemble cast provides foils for the sisters to deal with and strikes a perfect balance. It does an excellent job, with each actor or actress giving a little more than what is expected of their character but never grandstanding or stealing the scene. Even Dido Dela Paz, who plays Don Perico, keeps his notorious penchant for endless ad-libbing in check. . In the performance that we caught, Ana Abad-Santos played Candida (Irma Adlawan-Marasigan alternates) with Leisl Batucan as Paula. They display acting bravado as their characters attempt to bravely keep their roiling emotions veiled, as dictated by social norms, under a semblance of comportment and normalcy. Audiences may not even notice subtle acting changes employed by both actresses to great effect. Watch out how they use slightly bent over and inhibited body language that slowly transform into erect and confident stances as their characters find their footing. Both actresses often have to switch from elation to desperation in a matter of beats and are amazing to watch as they do so, right on cue. by Walter Ang ClicktheCity.com posted on Thursday January 22, 2009 |
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What's more, we will mail the tickets to your home at no extra cost to you. What have you got to lose? 
REP maintains two groups of eight singers who are available for special after-dinner entertainment, product launches, or other corporate affairs. One group is composed of veteran, professional solo performers; the other, of talented, young, up-and-coming singers. The program features show-stopping performances of show-tune medleys arranged for solos, duets, and octets with simple choreography.
