ART IS A BANG: Witness The First Ever Staging do Disney's Phenomenal Broadway Musical 'Beauty And The Beast' In The Philippines!

Disney Theatrical Productions, NETworks, Broadway Entertainment Group, and Ovation Productions will present the first International Tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in celebration of the production’s 20th anniversary.

The tour will play in markets to include Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. The musical, which will reunite the original Broadway creative, will be seen for the first time in these territories. For Manila, Beauty and the Beast will be handled by veteran concert promoter Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions which is, coincidentally, celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Venue is the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) main theater and dates are in January 2015.

Ron Kollen, senior vice president international for Disney Theatrical Productions, shared in a statement, “We are thrilled to be collaborating with NETWorks and Broadway Entertainment Group, to launch this first-ever international tour. To premiere Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in these cities throughout the Middle East and Asia, is a perfect way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our beloved stage musical.”

ART IS A BANG: Filipino Immigrant Stageplay "FLIPZOIDS" Now In The Philippines

Set on a beach in Southern California, “Flipzoids” is a funny and highly moving story about three Filipino immigrants in America navigating through the shifting landscape of home, desire, loneliness and belonging. The play examines what it means to be an outsider, to be Filipino and/or American, to be a hybrid.

Redford arrived in America from the Philippines as a child and spends his time in public restrooms in search of relationships to fill a void in his identity. Instead, he finds connection through a chance meeting with Aying, an older Filipina on a beach. It is through Aying that Redford discovers his culture.

ART IS A BANG: Red Turnip Theater Opens Second Season with ‘RABBIT HOLE’

They are not your ordinary theater with musicals, large stages or a school of performers for a production, red Turnip Theater is known to have intimate yet creative approach to stage plays. They have produced Closer and Cock for their first season, staged at whitespace in Makati. So what is in store for the new season of Red Turnip? They are now going up a notch with another set of great plays for this year and early 2015.

Though in its infant stages, it has proven to be a prodigy on its own with the kind of theater that they offer to the public. Their uniqueness made them noticed by partner brand like Fila Philippines who supported the run of 'Cock' last season. 

ART IS A BANG: Megaworld Shall Present Hansel And Gretel This June

HANSEL AND GRETEL will come to life on stage through colorful sets, props and costumes, beautiful songs and music, and most of all, the genuine portrayal of the professional theater actors ages 7 to 13 years old from Kids Acts Philippines. 

HANSEL AND GRETEL is the musical play for children wherein Kids Acts Philippines intently integrated the most important learning theory of Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University which is called the “Eight Multiple Intelligences of the Children.” The play incorporated every intelligence type in the specific scenes to enable children appreciate the total importance of learning while being entertained by the play. This musical play for kids and by the kids is an advocacy to augment the interest of kids in performing arts.

HANSEL AND GRETEL is Winner of 26th ALIW AWARDS 2013 for Best Production for Children and 2013 Broadwayworld Philippines Award for Best Book and Lyrics for a Filipino musical.

ART IS A BANG: 10 Things You Should Be Excited About Ballet Philippines' Sapphire Season

Ballet Philippines celebrates its 45th anniversary this year and they are making this a year a year worth celebrating with their Sapphire season. Here are 10 reason you should watch out for their season this year:

1. Opening our season is the award winning choreography of Agnes Locsin, LA REVOLUCION FILIPINA, with a libretto by Dennis Marasigan and set to the music of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. This "powerful and poignant" production will give you another reason to be honored to be born of the Filipino race.

ART IS A BANG: Deprivation and Meditation: Sudden Flight Series at the Picasso Abstract Painter Chiqui Rodriguez

Filipino abstract painter, Chiqui Rodriguez announces her major new series entitled SUDDEN FLIGHT, her solo show to be held in Zurich by late summer will have its preview opening in a two-man show at the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences, hosted by Altromondo Gallery on 22 May 2014 and continuing through 18 July 2014. 

The 15 selected paintings from a total of over 100 works that comprise the SUDDEN FLIGHT series, awash in vibrant color, are sure to dazzle visitors to the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences. Chiqui’s unique approach to blending acrylic pigments on canvas creates gem-like surfaces. Peering through the surface to what is depicted below, the viewer realizes that all is not as glowing as it first appears. Chiqui is noted for her deep abstraction of complex realism. 

ART IS A BANG: Join the "Noises Off" #SquishFace Selfie Promo

Summer is here and it is time to break free and go wild! And make that wild and wacky side put into good use with the special promo of Repertory Philippines for their upcoming production "Noises Off". And what better way to make an impression inline with the hilarious stage play is with a "selfie"!

Here's how:

1. Take selfie of your face pushed up against glass.

2. Hashtag #squishface, ‪#‎REP2014‬ and tag @repphils. 

3. Tag 20 friends on Instagram.

4. Email screenshot of selfie with 20 tags to david@repertoryphilippines.com to claim 2 FREE Tickets to Noises Off. 

5. REP Admin will send confirmation of ticket date. 

6. Tickets may be picked up at the door 30 minutes before showtime under your name the day of the performance.

Note: Limit One pair of tickets per Instagram account.

Promo Ends: Monday April 7, 2014 at 12:00pm noon.

Don't forget to Like Repertory Philippines on Facebook and Instagram! Also don't forget the hashtags #squishface and  #REP2014.

Noises Off is part of Repertory Philippines 77th Season along with the talked about plays like "Wait Until Dark" and "August: Osage County".

ART IS A BANG: "Cock"

What happens when a young gay man falls in love with a woman?

That’s the central conceit behind Red Turnip Theater’s second offering, COCK by Mike Bartlett. A sold-out hit when it first premiered in London in 2009 and subsequently during its off-Broadway run a year later, COCK revolves around a gay couple whose rocky relationship derails when one of them sleeps (and falls in love) with a woman. Debates over one’s sexual identity explode when all three decide to sit down and “duke it out” over dinner. Hilarity ensues when another unexpected guest turns up and loyalties are put to the test. As one character puts it, “It’s the ultimate bitch fight”.

The New York Times calls COCK “a terrific, tense little comedy” while The Huffington Post hails it as “a terrific contemporary play that puts much of other theatre to shame”. This critical darling is the perfect bookend to Red Turnip’s maiden season. 

ART IS A BANG: Trumpets returns with the magical musical The Bluebird of Happiness

What happens when two kids embark on a magical adventure to find happiness?

The Bluebird of Happiness follows the unforgettable adventure of poor kids Mytyl and Tyltyl search of a mythical creature called the bluebird of happiness. They are accompanied by their dog, their cat, and a candle in human form named "Light" who help them on their journey. Together, they explore wondrous and mysterious lands and meet interesting and enchanted characters in their quest for true happiness.

They visit "The Land of Memory" where they encounter their long dead grandparents, "The Palace of Night" where nightmares and horrors creep from dark corners, "The Forest" filled with trees who have a grudge against humans, "The Land of Luxury" that holds all kinds of riches and bounty, and "The Land of the Future" where sadness is unknown and “The Graveyard” where they must face their worst fears. Despite of all the places they visit they end up where they started and find that the "Bluebird of Happiness" is right in their own home. 

ART IS A BANG: Repertory Philippines Announces Cast Of "The Producers," Set To Open On November 15

In celebration of its 46th year, Repertory Philippines proudly closes its 76th theater season with THE PRODUCERS.

Adapted from the 1968 Mel Brooks film of the same name, The Producers was written by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with songs arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. As in the film, the story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. The humor of the show draws on ridiculous accents, homosexual stereotypes, and Nazis, along with many show business in-jokes.

The original Broadway production, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, opened at the St. James Theatre on April 19, 2001 and ran for 2,502 performances, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. It spawned a successful London production running for just over two years, US national tours, many productions worldwide, and a 2005 film version.

Directed by Jaime del Mundo, the cast of THE PRODUCERS features CARLO OROSA and ROBIE ZIALCITA (alternating as Max Bialystock), TOPPER FABREGAS (as Leo Bloom), and GISELLE TONGI (as Ulla).

ART IS A BANG: Ibalong D'Wonder Twins of Boac Lead Philstage Gawad Buhay’s 2013 1st/2nd Quarter Citations

PHILSTAGE proudly announces the first and second quarter citations of the 2013 Gawad Buhay !, the Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts.

TANGHALANG PILIPINO’s “Ibalong,” a dance-musical reimagining of the Bicolano epic, topped the list with 15 citations in the performance and technical categories.

“Ibalong” was adapted for the stage by Rody Vera, with the neo-ethnic rock music provided by Carol Bello and direction and set design by Tuxqs Rutaquio. It garnered citations in the following categories: Outstanding Original Musical, Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical, Stage Direction (Tuxqs Rutaquio), Adaptation or Translation (Rody Vera), Musical Direction (Carol Bello), Musical Composition (Carol Bello), Choreography (Alden Lugnasin), Costume Design (Leeroy New), Lighting Design (Katsch Catoy), Sound Design (TJ Ramos), Set Design (Tuxqs Rutaquio), Female Lead Performance in a Musical (Delphine Buencamino and Jenine Desiderio), and Male Featured Performance in a Musical (Cheeno Macaraig and Jonathan Tadioan).

ART IS A BANG: Of OFWs, Saints, and Rock

LORENZO is a musical about the life of St. Lorenzo Ruiz

What do you get when you put together an OFW on death row, a fugitive who became a saint, and rock music?

LORENZO is a theatrical production on the life and struggles of two Lorenzos: Laurence (OJ Mariano), an OFW on death row in an Arab country, and St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Lorenz Martinez), the first Filipino canonized as a saint for his martyrdom in Japan.

LORENZO’s executive producer, Christopher de Leon, has assembled a stellar artistic team for the production. The musical’s libretto was written by award-winning writers Juan Ekis and Paul Dumol, with the collaboration of Joem Antonio. The musical’s beautiful melodies were composed and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab. Internationally-trained Gino Gonzales heads production design. And, last but not least, the play is directed by industry veteran Nonon Padilla.

The production is unique in its storytelling; its premise has Laurence dictating the libretto of a musical he has written about Lorenzo Ruiz to a Filipino reporter.

ART IS A BANG: Bonifacio Isang Sarswuela Kicks Off

After the nationwide success of Joe: A Filipino Rock'sical by the Philippine Stagers' Foundation (PSF), they kick off their new season with another homage to another Filipino hero who led the people to a national revolution that led to the independence of the Philippines. BONIFACIO ISANG SARSWELA is a timely musical about the life of the Supremo Gat Andres Bonifacio and the network of colorful characters that revolves with the brotherhood of the Katipunan. 

With 2013 as the year for the 150th birth anniversary of Bonifacio, the play will bring awareness to who the supremo really is and how controversial was his life and his battles until his death. Written and directed by Palanca Awardee Atty. Vincent Tanada who plays the role of Andres Bonifacio, makes it a play to indeed watch out for not only for its historical value but also with the meticulous material in making it a Sarswela, which makes its more Filipino in nature. 

MANILA IMPROV FESTIVAL 2013:PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES JUNE 26-30

In celebration of its 11th year anniversary, the Silly People’s Improv Theater (SPIT) and the PETA Theater Center proudly present the Manila Improv Festival 2013 from June 26-30, 2103.

The theme for this year is “Follow Your Feet”, an improvisational theater concept which also ties in with the art form’s return to PETA - the group which first introduced improvisational theater to the country in the early 1970s. As SPIT takes on a new decade of laughter and innovation, the group decided to take a bolder step in sharing the art of improv to bigger audiences through the festival and its partnership with PETA Theater Center.

Gabe Mercado, artistic director of the festival and founder of SPIT describes the vision of the festival: “SPIT was founded back in June 2002, because I saw the need for a new kind of comedy—one that differed from the usual stand-up comedy routines that we are used to seeing on TV and comedy bars. Improv appealed to me because of its grounding on truth, the magic of spontaneity, and the fun that on-the-spot creation brings about. We hope events like these help build the improv community of the country and the region.”

Being the country’s premiere improvisational theater group known for their smart and incisive brand of comedy, SPIT has represented the Philippines in numerous international events such as the prestigious Los Angeles Comedy Festival in 2004, and more recently, in the Hong Kong and Beijing Improv Festivals.

Last year SPIT celebrated their ten-year anniversary as a group, and staged the 1st Manila International Improv Festival. The festival was an overwhelming success with sold-out performances at Quantum Café in Makati City. Furthermore, the exciting improv workshops held at the College of St. Benilde facilitated by renowned improv veterans Shaun Landry and Tom Farnan from Los Angeles, created a clamor for another festival. And since SPIT wanted to continue propagating improvisational theater in the ASEAN region, the group decided to do it again this year. The 2nd Manila International Improv Festival promises to create a new, fun, and exciting theater experience for improv enthusiasts and generally anyone who wants to have a good time and learn something new.

The 2nd Manila International Improv Festival promises to create a new, fun, and exciting theater experience for improv enthusiasts and generally anyone who wants to have a good time and learn something new.

The participating improv groups: People's Liberation Improv and 3 Dudes Improv (Hongkong), Beijing Improv (Beijing), Taichung Improv (Taiwan), Xiamen Improv (Xiamen), Zmack (Shanghai), Pirates of Tokyo Bay (Tokyo) and Silly People’s Improv Theater (Manila). For each set, three improv groups will perform a variety of long form and short form improvisational shows.

Schedule: June 26 (8 pm) PERFORMANCE 1 (SPIT, Taichung Improv, Switch); June 27 (8 pm) PERFORMANCE 2 (Beijing Improv, Xiamen Improv, SPIT); June 28 (8 pm) PERFORMANCE 3 (Pirates of Tokyo Bay, 3 Dudes, Plus 1) ; June 29 (6 pm) PERFORMANCE 4 (Zmack, Plus 1, Pirates of Tokyo Bay) and (9 pm) PERFORMANCE 5 (Taichung, Beijing, People’s Liberation Improv); June 30 (1 pm) PERFORMANCE 6 (PLI, Xiamen, 3 Dudes) and (4 pm) PERFORMANCE 7: INTERNATIONAL IMPROV JAM.

Ticket price per show: P 400.00. Venue: PETA-PHINMA Theater. For more details and updates, you may check out SPIT via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spitmanila Twitter: @spitmanila; Website: http://spitmanila.com. Tickets are available at Ticketworld or the PETA Theater Center.

ART IS A BANG: RenaiXance – A Decade of Renaissance Art Gallery

Renaissance Art Gallery's celebrated their 10th year anniversary with an exhibit called “ RenaiXance – A Decade of Renaissance Art Gallery ” was unveiled on June 5, 2013 at the Art Center located at the 4/F SM Megamall Bldg. A, Ortigas Center.

Invited as special guests of honor were National Artists Napoleon Abueva, Arturo Luz, Ben Cabrera, Abdulmari Imao and other respected names in the field of arts. 

The exhibit  features more than 50 of the country’s foremost names in the field of visual arts (figurative and abstract), sculpture and photography.

Seeing a lot of artists in one venue makes it a very interesting sight for art lovers and newbies like me which looks up to Pinoy artists for their works that range from the contemporary to the bizarre which plays with one's imagination. 

We went around to see the artworks and I can say that I am a fan of sculptures and photography, works of National Artist Abdulmari Imao and photos of Jim Paredes are works you should not miss when you visit the exhibit.

ART IS A BANG: Manila Improv Festival 2013

Improv Theater is not new to the Philippines, rather it was seen as an alternative of the craft and    also a great way to improve theatrical creativity and response. However, there are a just a few number of Improv groups here in the Philippines but this number might change with the staging of the Manila Improv Festival this June.

I also am not familiar how Improv Theater works but on the press conference of the Manila Improv Festival, we got to experience this one of kind art in the front row, which is really entertaining and also gets the audience involved with the material. The event is spearheaded by Silly People’s Improv Theater (SPIT)

In celebration of its 11th year anniversary, the Silly People’s Improv Theater (SPIT) and the PETA Theater Center proudly present the Manila Improv Festival 2013 from June 25-30, 2103.

ART IS A BANG: Pasinaya 2013

Watch Philippine BARANGGAY Folk Dance Troupe at 'PASINAYA: CCP Open House Festival'

Sunday | 3 February | 12:30pm

CCP Main Theater Ramp (Folk Dance Zone)

Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

Like the Cultural Center of the Philippines facebook page for more updates: https://www.facebook.com/culturalcenterofthephilippines

ART IS A BANG: Art Fair Philippines 2013

Art in a car park? Yes it can and will happen in Makati with Art Fair Philippines 2013 on February 7 to 10, 2013.  

Featuring the best in Philippine contemporary art, Art Fair Philippines 2013 will take place in an alternative urban venue--The Link car park located between the Makati Shangri-La Hotel and the Landmark Department Store. Many know the building because its walls convert into a glowing palette of ever-changing color in the evenings.  

Twenty-four invited galleries and art groups, chosen for carefully edited selections from their roster of artists, will transform Level 6 of the Ayala Land-owned car park into a boutique art fair.  Names familiar to followers of the Philippine art scene, stalwarts of regional art auctions, as well as promising newcomers will show work in all types of media. Visitors will be welcomed at a specially commissioned reception desk created entirely of iconic San Miguel Beer crates by artist Norberto “Peewee” Roldan, Jr.  

ART IS A BANG: Walang Kukurap

The story of corruption is not really new to the country and the Filipino people, yet many still don't know the very complex and dark plans and people behind them. This year, Tanghalang Pilipino introduces WALANG KUKURAP by Layeta Bucoy that tackles the complexity and morbid truth about corruption, politics and power. 

WALANG KUKURAP shows the political network that is interlinked with drugs, money, strategies, loyalty, and family. It shows the darkside of both parties and all who are involved. In a town controlled by powerful leaders with political masks to decieve the public of their true intention. However, it also shows that the problem is also fueled by the poor who tolerate and benefit from corrupt culture. The question that goes into my head is "When will this end? How will we end this?"

It is actually my first time to see Tanghalang Pilipino (either I was too young to remember, or it was my past life), and it shocked me. Though I have seen stage plays with a violent theme, this one is the most moving I have seen so far. They have a set design that is surprisingly simple yet very multipurpose. I was also want to crumple like a paper upon seeing real hammers and handsaw as props. It spooked my soul when they are using them, but they did a wonderful job of executing them to be so realistic. 

ART IS A BANG: Joe A Filipino Rock'sical

I do admire theater companies that create their own original stageplays which truly show talent and originality of Filipinos on stage. And with though many people particularly students would consider Philippine History as a boring subject, it great to see it alive and somehow makes us think about the happenings and even the controversy that made them very interesting.


Philippine Stages Foundation (PSF) staged recently their new offering for the opening of their 11th Season with JOE: A Filipino Rock'sical. Seeing the play itself was an eye opener even for a history enthusiast like me about the other side of Rizal. With the past and present weaved together with each character plays an important role in making a tribute show for the National Hero.

And what I also admire about this play is the original music which amplifies the feel of the play. Though it might overpower the feel of the rock musical, but still blends well just the like past-present plot. It was a very fun play with characters which each audience may find themselves to be part of the play. Highly recommended for students and students-at-heart who loves to know more about Jose or Joe.