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| Photo Flash: EQUUS In Manila - First Look! BROADWAY WORLD NEWS DESK by Oliver Oliveros Monday, July 12, 2010 With seasoned Repertory Philippines actors Miguel Faustmann, who plays middle-aged psychiatrist-narrator Martin Dysart, and Red Concepcion, who portrays seventeen-year-old dangerously atypical Alan Strang, up the marquee, Mr. Gemora has showed his own firm grip of Peter Shaffer's material before his curious audience. A STARRY NIGHT EQUUS PREMIERE By Carlo Orosa The Philippine Star July 13, 2010 Lea’s (Salonga) thoughts on Marco’s performance: “There is something brewing in his portayal of Alan Strang... I pray and hope he finds those who can help him harness it. With more experience and training, this kid could be lethal.” The following evening’s opening night, Joanna Ampil arrived with her manager Girlie Rodis, to see the play. That night, Red Concepcion (Sam Concepcion’s older brother) played Alan. This is what she had to say about Red and the production: “For someone who really isn’t a fan of straight plays, I thought it was a very good piece. The cast and the team behind it did an excellent job at executing the story. Credit goes to the cast, especially to Red who had the right amount of passion, intensity and lunacy the character needed. I admire him for baring his soul and more for the part.” FOR THE LOVE OF HORSES By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer 07/13/2010 As Dysart, Miguel Faustmann, an “old reliable” among Rep’s ever-shifting troupe, lends the psychiatrist the necessary gravitas but also an endearing humanity. The night we watched, Marco Manalac, whose first stage role this is, portrayed Alan Strang. I thought he brought an endearing vulnerability to his performance, all adolescent gawkiness and resentment. His scenes with Pheona Baranda, as Jill Mason his “love” interest, were touching, mainly because they displayed the young man’s awkwardness and unfamiliarity with relating with a person of the opposite sex. I MUST congratulate Audie Gemora for suggesting “Equus” for this Rep season...He does well, bathing the production in an interplay of light and dark, and sometimes surrounding the production with uncanny, hair-raising sound effects. They add dimensions of horror, fear and amazement to the drama. I especially liked the way the horses were lit, at times hidden in shadows, their metal heads sometimes gleaming, their hoofs beating an ominous staccato. In all, “Equus” is that exquisite blend of the young and old in Philippine theater, the veterans providing the necessary ballast to the daring and spirit of the young performers. Once again, I am convinced how “deep” a bench of talents the Philippines enjoys in the field of entertainment and theater. “Equus” is an excellent showcase. EQUUS: A BLESSING OR A CURSE? STAR BYTES THE PHILIPPINE STAR By Butch Francisco July 15, 2010 Although this foreign film got rave reviews — it is a Sidney Lumet work, after all — I have to say that I appreciated this ongoing Repertory Philippines production of Equus more... — you have to pay attention to this when you go see Equus since that will be the key to a better understanding of the material, which is most analytical: Equus is a thinking piece and delivering it on stage is a difficult task for the director and his actors. But this is where you see the fruits that are the results of the seeds of professionalism planted by Repertory Philippines into their talents decades and decades ago. Gemora is disciplined enough a director to keep details simple on stage and that helps the audience understand the material better because there are no distractions. He also has an excellent handling of his actors who all deliver magnificent performances... It is Faustmann, however, who gives the best performance in the entire cast. He grips the role at the very core, imbibes the character and he becomes 100 percent Dr. Martin Dysart. But extra credit should also be given to Red Concepcion as Alan Strang and Phoena Baranda as Jill, the two youngsters, who take it all off and go through their parts like it was just the two of them in that side of the world and nobody was watching. You forget about the nudity because their performances are so overpowering you take your mind and eyes off their naked bodies and listen to the angst of their respective roles. Everything becomes clinical after the initial shock. A MUST-SEE PLAY BusinessWorld Onstage by Juan Antonio Lanuza July 13, 2010 The blocking was most interesting and had the audience glued to the action. This made them pay more attention to the very compelling dialogue. The John Batalla’s lighting design also contributed to the success of the totality of the performance, not to mention Jethro Joaquin’s most effective music, and the simple yet very compelling costumes and set design of Denis Lagdameo. Mr. Concepcion...gave a very forceful performance as Alan Strang. He was Alan all the time he was on stage...He will go places in the theatrical world. Pheona Baranda plays Jill Mason... Her’s was a very sensitive performance. One could feel the sincerity of what she said. A performance worth watching since there is no overacting here. Excellent in their supporting roles were Monsod and Del Mundo (who also was the Assistant Director) as Alan’s parents, Roselyn Perez as the lawyer who brings Alan to Dr. Dysart, Dido de la Paz as the stable owner, Katsi Flores as the nurse, James Stacey as the Young Horseman and Nugget the Horse, and Jerald Napoles, Xeno Alejandro, Joms Ortega, Ronnie Golpeo and Ronnie Cruz as the horses in the stable. Congratulations to director Audie Gemora for a fantastic job. The play is a must for lovers of serious theater, one where one has to think. EQUUS IS AN EMOTIONAL RIDE The Daily Tribune By Michael Kho Lim 07/16/2010 Taking the equally challenging role of Martin Dysart is veteran actor Miguel Faustmann, who has done an excellent job in giving justice to the character. The supporting cast is composed of outstanding seasoned actors who all do an exceptional job. Playing Frank Strang, Alan’s father, is Jaime del Mundo; Dora Strang, Alan’s mother, is Tami Monsod; the magistrate Hesther Salomon is Roselyn Perez; the stable owner Harry Dalton is Dido de la Paz; and the subject of Alan’s affection, Jill Mason, is portrayed by Pheona Baranda. As the second lead role, Baranda is well-applauded as Jill. She is able to exude both the innocence of a young girl and her desire for the young lad Alan. She is also able to build up her character very well from the first time she meets Alan to the night when they are making love in the barn — that dreadful night when Alan gouges out the eyes of six horses. Overall, the revival of Equus is good as expected from a reputable company like Repertory Philippines. The play is definitely not an easy material to stage, neither is it easy material for audience to comprehend. Equus delves into the dynamics and complexities of the relationships between friends, lovers or partners, between a parent and a child, human and animal, and human and god. The play requires a mature, thinking and sensitive audience as it involves layers of messages exploring the themes and touchy issues of religion, freedom and sexuality, not to mention having some nudity scenes. |
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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.
