Gantimpala Theater continues to celebrate the 150th birthday celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal as it stages its second play for its 34th theater season, “El Filibusterismo,” with new directors Jose Jeffrey Camañag and Andre Tiangco.
“'El Filibusterismo,' whose alternate title is The Reign of Greed,” says Camañag. “The theme's progression is wheeled by an unseen dark force, a force that is so powerful that it controls even the characters' trivial actions and choices, often leading to nothing but tragic endings. This unseen and destructive force is greed.”
“It is the intention of this production to reconstruct the face of greed as painted by the great Jose Rizal in this novel and to resonate Rizal’s definition of greed as the key evil that chains and enslaves the mind, heart and soul of a society away from the real path towards genuine freedom,” he adds.
“Through creative staging, powerful visuals, clear storytelling and moving music, we hope to usher and challenge the audience, especially the students who will be watching this show as an aid to their curriculum, to look beyond the entertaining value of our production and try to listen to the remarkable messages embedded in Don Simoun’s confessions to Padre Florentino.”
Giving life to “El Fili's” characters are Roeder Camañag (Don Simoun/Mr. Leeds); Joe Gruta (Padre Florentino); Paolo O'Hara (Kabesang Tales); Ku Aquino (Padre Camorra); Mondrian Sampang (Padre Salvi); Dante Balois (Tata Selo/ Don Custodio); Alfred Urieta and Francis Cruz III (alternately portraying Basilio); Hazel Orencio (Juli/Pepay); Kristian Chua (Isagani); Flerida Capiral (Donya Victorina); Anna Deroca (Paulita Gomez); Jun-Jun Quintana (Juanito Pelaez); and Noel Escondo and Raymond Talavera (alternately playing Placido Penitente/Imuthis).
Providing artistic and technical assistance to directors Camañag and Tiangco are Jomar Fleras (playwright), Andy Villareal (light designer), Charyl Chan-de Guzman (production manager), Mae Bueta-Chavez (stage manager) and Tony S. Espejo (artistic director).
Gantimpala Theater’s “El Filibusterismo” is supported by the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Jimm’s 7-in-1 Coffee, and Everbilena.
Performances are on August 21, (Sunday), 7 p.m., Concert at the Park Open Air Auditorium in Luneta, Manila; August 26 (Friday) and August 27 (Saturday), September 2 (Friday) and September 3 (Saturday), 10 a.m./2 p.m., at the AFP Theater, Quezon City, and September 9 (Friday) and September 10 (Saturday) at the Cinema 3, SM Southmall, Las Piñas City.
For tickets, please call the Gantimpala Marketing Office, 8995911 and 9985622. Visit www.gantimpalatheater.multiply.com and www.facebook.com/gantimpala.
