In celebration of its 22 years of producing well-loved musicals for children of all ages, Repertory Philippines Theater for Young Audiences proudly announces the staging of PINOCCHIO.
This August, Repertory Philippines will take the old and young alike on a journey of this wooden puppet who wanted nothing more than to be a real boy. The play, set in old Italy, comes alive with music, colorful costumes, a little bit of magic, and a vibrant array of characters that travel alongside our beloved Pinocchio as he seeks to make his dream a reality.
Just as our Pinocchio was accompanied by such unique characters, years of experience back up the wide-eyed dreams of the young actors playing the title role. Supporting these young ones is a battalion of veteran and up-and-coming talents, whose theater experiences cover a vast selection of productions.
GEPETTO
With every wooden puppet, there is a maker. And for every boy, there is a father. That is what Gepetto is to Pinocchio. The kind and generous old man is brought to life by Nic Campos and Oliver Usison. Nic (who also alternates as Antonio) has been a part of many Repertory Philippines’ productions including Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and Seussical. He has also acted his share of Shakespeare in the plays Much Ado About (Claudio/Don Pedro) and Twelfth Night (Malvolio).
On the other hand, Oliver Usison made his Repertory Philippines debut in Jesus Christ Superstar!, and has since appeared in Seussical, Fiddler on the Roof, Once on This Island, Miong, Love’s Labor’s Lost, among many others. He is also an instructor of the Rep Summer Workshop.
ANGELINA
Angelina is a housekeeper and cook for the old Gepetto. Ever so caring and pleasant, this kind woman will be played by Ring Antonio, Naths Everett, and Goldie Soon. Ring Antonio began her theater career with Repertory Philippines’ The Wiz. Following this, she has appeared in many other productions, the most recent of which was Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
When it comes to theater veterans, Naths Everett is definitely one fine-tuned artist. She has been in the theater scene for over twenty years, wearing the hats of performer, choreographer, and teacher. Some of her productions include August Osage County, Do You Hear the People Sing?, Jekyll and Hyde, and Jesus Christ Superstar!
Finally round up the Angelinas is Goldie Soon, whose theater experience goes way back to her college years in the University of the Philippines where she pursued her degree in Theatre Arts. She has since starred in productions such has Oedipus Rex and Ang Inspektor General for Dulaang UP. Her more recents involvements have been The Joy Luck Club, Alice in Wonderland, and Red Turnip’s Cock.
THE BLUE FAIRY
What is a fairy tale without a little magic? She fulfills the wish for Pinocchio to become a real boy, and she guides him as he continues with his journey. If the old man Gepetto is his father figure, the Blue Fairy is almost like a mother to our boy Pinocchio. Playing the Blue Fairy are three talented and experienced actresses: Cara Barredo, Liesl Batucan, and Christine Flores.
Cara (who also plays Gino) began her theater career at a very young age, starring as Tiny Tim in Repertory Philippines' Scrooge. Cara was also lauded for her performance as Beth in Little Women, and this earned her the Gawad Buhay Award for Best Female Featured Actress. Liesl Batucan is a performer with many facets to her. She a two-time Aliw Award winner for Best Actress and a PhilStage Gawad Buhay Awardee for Best Female Featured Performance in a Musical. Liesl has been in many local productions (The Little Shop of Horrors, The Wizard of Oz, Romeo and Juliet) and has also performed Off-Broadway at the La Mama Theatre in New York City.
Finally, the last Blue Fairy is Christine Flores. She found herself in Children’s Theater and participated in productions such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Beauty and the Beast. She currently runs the Bel canto Studio, where she imparts her love for theater and music to aspiring students.
ANTONIO
Antonio is the good-natured narrator of our tale. Guiding us through Pinocchio’s story as Antonio are Arnel Carrion and James Stacey. Arnel Carrion has a long list of productions under his belt. He has been part of the casts of Shakespeare in Hollywood, Much Ado About Nothing, The Secret Garden, The Boor and the Proposal -- just to name a few. James Stacey, on the other hand, attended university in the United Kingdom but has since made a career for himself in Manila. His theater credits include Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Grease.
THE COACHMAN
The villain of our tale lured children into the sinister Land of Toys. His panache is in the toss of his cape. Bringing to life this sinister creature are none other than Bituin Escalante (who also alternates as Angelina), Raul Montesa, and Onyl Torres.
Bituin Escalante is no stranger to the world of theater, with her career spanning almost twenty years. Her most recent foray on the big stage was Resorts World Manila’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert. She is a member of the Philippine Theater Actors Guild. Raul Montesa has been in the original casts of Miss Saigon in Germany, Manila, and Singapore. His lastest production was as Jafar in Atlantis’ Aladdin. Finally, rounding off our villains is Onyl Torres. He began his theater career early – with the Dulaang Sibol in high school. He is a two-time Gawad Buhay Best Music Director Nominee for Jeckyll and Hyde and The Producers.
CANDLEWICK
Candlewick is one of the most unruly in Pinocchio’s bunch – he is a smart-aleck dweller of the streets. Bringing Candlewick’s fast attitude to life are Daniel Delgado, Antonio Lane, Jay Pangilinan, and Chris George Shulze.
At the young age of seventeen, Daniel Delgado participated in a handful of productions. He is also a member of Alliance, a dance crew that represents the country in international hip hop competitions. On the other hand, Antonio Lane has been in the theater scene since he was six years old. His most recent appearance on stage was for the Virgin Labfest 10, where he was part of a stage reading for Lagalag.
Jay Pangilinan teaches theater workshops for Trumpets Playhouse and Repertory Philippines. His theater credits include plays such as Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, Seussical, and most recently, The Bluebird of Happiness. Finally, rounding off our Candlewicks is Chris George Shulze (who also plays the roel of Signore Volpone). He has been under the tutelage of the like of Michael Williams, Menchu Yulo, and Jaime del Mundo. At present, he is part of the international production of The Boston: The Kitchen Musical.
GINO
Gino is Candlewick’s faithful sidekick. Playing Hino are Steven Conde and Thea Gloria. Steven has appeared in productions such as Snapshots and Portraits, Rivalry, Alice in Wonderland, and The Producers. Thea Gloria, on the other hand, started her acting career under the watchful eye of Anna Valdes-Lim. She has been a part of productions such as August Osage County.
SIGNORE VOLPONE
The fox in this play – wise, and somehow wise enough to pass himself off as a singing teacher. This curious character is enfleshed on the stage by Jef Flores. He made his theater debut in Camp Rock the Musical and has also appeared in Cinderella and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
SIGNORE GATTO
The cat of the play – who plays sidekick to Signore Volpone. Playing the cat are Kendrick Ibasco, Steven Hotchkiss, and Chino Veguillas. Kendrick began his theater career in his church ministry, and since then it has extended towards productions such as Rivalry and The Wizard of Oz. Steven Hotchkiss has graced the stage as Friedrich in The Sound of Music. He is now a trainer and conductor for the CAAP Chorale. Finally, Chino Veguillas began is foray in theater in his school’s production of South Pacific. This has since led him to other productions such as Once on This Island, Once Upon a Mattress, and The Little Mermaid.
Rounding off this brilliant cast of performers are ballet dancers Jeff Comeros, Joni Galeste, Erica Jacinto, Jacqui Jacinto, Mark Joseph Pineda, and acrobats Tristan Cheng, Clark Francis dela Riva, and Chill Ocampo.
With such a bounty of talent and passion, it is a sure thing that our boy Pinocchio is one his way for a journey that is magical and truly unforgettable.
Ms. Joy Virata, artistic director of Repertory Philippines Theater for Young Audiences will direct PINOCCHIO. This marks the third time that Repertory Philippines is staging the musical, the first two being in 1996 and 2004.
This new and fresh production of PINOCCHIO is going to be a real treat for the entire family with masks, music and merriment. It will be alive and bursting with energy. The children in the audience will be spellbound with its visually stunning and colorful set design and costumes, the lively choreography, and the witty songs and dialogue of Colodi’s comic characters.
PINOCCHIO is set to open on August 16, 2014 at the Onstage Theater, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legazpi St., Makati City. The show runs until December 14, 2014.
For details of show, please call tel. nos. 843-3570 and 451-1474 or email shows@repertoryphilippines.com or log on to www.repertoryphilippines.com.
Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines
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Instagram: www.instagram.com/repphils
YouTube: www.youtube.com/repphils
Tickets are also available through Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph
PINOCCHIO is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 USA. Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684
See you at the theater !!!!
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