The Cultural Center of the Philippines and
Tanghalang Pilipino in cooperation with
The Lark Play Development Center
Present
Lloyd Suh`s
AMERICAN HWANGAP
Directed by Chris Millado
CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater)
Tagalog October 1, 2010 (Friday) 8:00 PM
Tagalog October 2, 2010 (Saturday) 3:00 PM
English October 2, 2010 (Saturday) 8:00 PM
Tagalog October 3, 2010 (Sunday) 3:00 PM
Tanghalang Pilipino and the Lark Play Development Center of New York Present the Asian Premiere of "American Hwangap"
Lloyd Suh`s American Hwangap makes its Asian premiere at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines starting September 10 until October 3, 2010. After a successful West Coast and Off-Broadway run, Tanghalang Pilipino and the Lark Play Development Center of New York collaborate to bring the production to Philippine audiences in its original English version and in Tagalog translation.
The dysfunctional comedy is set in a suburban Texas home whose members are shaken by the arrival of a long lost father who has come home to celebrate his 60th birthday. The wife and children wrestle with their broken past as they prepare for the celebration of the `hwangap`---the 60th birthday ritual that marks the completion of the zodiac cycle and also signals rebirth.
Luminaries of theater and cinema Mario O`Hara and Gina Pareno (Tagalog cast), Bembol Roco and Celeste Legaspi (English cast) lead the ensemble completed by Liezl Batucan, Nico Manalo and Jeremy Domingo. The play is directed by Chris Millado. Tagalog translation is by Joi Barrios Le-Blanc, set design by Mio Infante, light design by Katsch Catoy, sound design and original score by Jethro Joaquin and costume design by Kahlila Aguilos.
American Hwangap received its West Coast premiere in March 2009 at the Magic Theatre, San Francisco and then its New York premiere in May 2009 by Ma-Yi Theater Company. The play was produced as part of the Lark Play Development Center`s "Launching New Plays into the Repertoire Initiative" supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The New York Times described the production as "lovingly drawn and filled with endearing quirks that make it a delight to watch." Time Out New York recommended the production as a "must see" calling it "a family reunion reimagined as a Western shootout."
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I was able to watch both the English and Tagalog versions of this show but I like the English translation better. I never realized Mario O'Hara was an awesome stage actor (he's more known locally as a film director)... he was my favorite along with Liezl Batucan (but they were all good, mind you). Though my boyfriend thinks that the three children should not have acted on both the Tagalog and English versions. They could have gotten different actors for the Tagalog version since Liezl, Nico and Jeremy were more suited for the English translation. Well, I kinda agree on this.
ReplyDeleteI loved the set... it's a typical house in the States wherein it reminded me of my aunt's place in New Jersey where I slept in the basement with my sister every time we go there for summer vacation. The actors even utilized the rooftop and there were even autumn leaves falling from a grand tree on stage (since I was seated up front, I got to even stash away one leaf for remembrance =). The play had a nice sound design too (e.g. crickets, waves, video games, etc). What I loved most about 'American Hwangap' is that it has a very unique concept, story and script. It's really not your typical play and it's actually true to life (meaning not everything ends as 'happily ever after' and it also reminded me of the life story of someone very close to my heart). People watching with broken and dysfunctional families would definitely relate to this show... making them feel a little less alone and understood. It's wonderful that a play can actually do that =)