Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN.com: Tanghalang Pilipino's latest staging of "Walang Sugat" is competent and entertaining, as expected from a classic work... [Cris] Villongco gave a more assured performance here, in keeping with the play's general depiction of stronger women compared with the Maria Clara stereotype of the period. But it was the support characters who truly gave memorable performances, led by Jonathan Tadioan as Tenyong's sidekick Lucas, who simply allowed the character's innate comedic nature to come out, without unnecessarily playing to the audience. [Noemi] Manikan-Gomez and [Red] Nuestro... easily captured the LVN spirit in their flirtatious duet without adding extra cheese.
Fred Hawson: Cris Villonco and her crystal clear soprano were perfect as Julia! Noel Rayos cut a dashing figure as Tenyong, and his singing was also very strong... The third act is really fantastic, and the ending is positively glorious! I had no idea how the story would go at all, and that is the best for people watching this for the first time. I am not surprised why this sarswela was a hit then when it was first staged in 1902, and should be a hit in its present incarnation now.
Tanghalang Pilipino's production of the Severino Reyes sarswela "Walang Sugat" has remaining playdates on Friday, Aug. 24 (3 and 8 p.m.), Saturday, Aug. 25 (3 and 8 p.m.) and Sunday, Aug. 25 (10 a.m. and 3 p.m.) at the CCP Little Theater.
"Walang Sugat", directed by multi-awarded film director Carlos Siguion-Reyna in his first assignment in theater, is the love story of Julia and Tenyong against the backdrop of the Philippine revolution against Spain, thus interweaving the personal with the political to awaken the audience’s sense of heroism and patriotism.
The 110-year-old sarswela was first performed in Teatro Libertad in Manila in 1902.
Cris Villonco plays Julia, with Noel Rayos as Tenyong, alternating with Antonio Ferrer who first essayed the role in an Ateneo de Manila University production of the sarswela in
Noemi Manikan-Gomez, the original leading lady of TP’s "Dalagang Bukid", takes on the role of Julia’s mother, Juana. Bodjie Pascua and Lou Veloso alternate as Tadeo, while Jennifer Villegas and Jean Judith Javier play Monica.
Red Nuestro and Jonathan Tadioan play Lucas, Gino Ramirez and Nar Cabico alternate as Miguel and Jelson Bay plays Padre Teban. The Tanghalang Pilipino’s Actors Company comprises the rest of the ensemble.
The creative team includes Nonoy Froilan (choreographer), Chino Toledo (musical director), Katsch Catoy (lighting designer and technical director) and Tuxqs Rutaquio (set designer).
Again, remaining playdates are Friday, Aug. 24 (3 and 8 p.m.), Saturday, Aug. 25 (3 and 8 p.m.) and Sunday, Aug. 25 (10 a.m. and 3 p.m.)
For tickets, call +63-9177500107 or +63-9189593949, 8321125 locals 1620 and 1621, or 8919999. Fax 8323661 or wireless landline 2183791. Or email [email protected].
