In its 47th theater season, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is set to stage and host a rich roster of new and returning productions that touch on a wide range of human experiences. This line-up of shows aims to excite avid theatergoers while simultaneously building a larger audience base in theater.
“A few years back, McCann did a study for us and their main message is, bring in the indifferent; bring in those who couldn’t care less to come to the theater. They are the larger audience,” says PETA president Cecilia B. Garrucho. “This (PETA’s season 47th season line up) is in response to them.”
PETA’s line-up is composed of originally-developed materials, international partnerships, and the continuation of its on-tour productions.
Original Productions
PETA’s original productions this season includes the return of a hit musical from last season, a contemporary take on a Baltazar classic, and a local adaptation of a Chekhov play.
Rak of Aegis Re-run. PETA’s hit comedy-musical returns this season and Filipino theatergoers can visit and revisit the rocking residents of flood-stricken Villa Venezia as they struggle to survive amidst natural and man-made disasters to the tune of Aegis’ songs. Rak of Aegis will run from June 20 to August 31, 2014.
Florante at Laura Remastered. Balagtasan goes contemporary in this rap-battle inspired production, which follows two aspiring wordsmiths, private school student Victor and street vendor Ronbert, as they navigate through Francisco Baltazar’s masterpiece, in search of their own voice. Florante at Laura Remastered runs from August 8 to September 20, 2014.
Cherry Orchard. Adapted from Anton Chekhov’s last play, the story follows a bourgeois family as it attempts to sustain its status and find meaning in its newfound materialism. Palanca-winning playwright Rody Vera localizes Chekhov’s original text and sets the narrative in 1960’s lavish Manila aristocracy. Loy Arcenas also joins the team as director. Cherry Orchard runs from January 30, 2014 to March 15, 2015.
International Partnerships
In partnership with Japan Foundation Manila and the British Council, PETA hosts five productions, which will bring a different theater experience to the Filipino audience.
Strong Boy, Deaf Boy, and a Girl in an Abaya. a non verbal production that follows the life of children survivors of typhoon Yolanda as they tell their stories of struggle so profound, only silence can express it. The play is a modernized take on the original narrative that took the center stage in the 4th World Congress of International Drama and Education Association in Norway in July 2001.
Ayanasu. Another non-verbal performance showcases improvised and spontaneous vignettes of a family’s journey from disaster, loss to hope that are interwoven into a moving story of solitude, memory and synchronicity. Ayanasu and Strong Boy, Deaf Boy and a Girl in an Abaya Are set to grace the Philippine stage on July 26, 2014.
The Price of Everything. Written and performed by Daniel Bye, this comic, provocative, and a little bit sad one-man show promises a joyful experience, especially for those who have wondered about the difference between the price of an object and its value. The Price of Everything will be staged from July 10 and 11, 2014.
There We Have Been. Taking inspiration from troubled relationships portrayed in Murakami’s best-selling novel, Norwegian Wood, There We Have Been presents a daringly intimate glimpse into a secluded world of fragile dependency. There We Have Been runs on October 9 and 10, 2014.
Wally Watthead and His Lost Glow. Perfect for the entire family, Wally Watthead and His Lost Glow is a magic and spectacle-filled production that follows Wally Watthead, a lightbulb, and his smartphone friend Simon the Simcard’s search for Wally’s lost glow. Wally Watthead and His Lost Glow runs from November 14 to 16 and 21 to 23, 2014.
Productions on Tour
Aside from performances happening at The PETA Theater Center, PETA’s three mobile productions are still on tour in the country:
William. This award-winning musical follows five high school students turn Shakes-fear to Shakes-peer. The musical injects the Bard’s songs and scenes with hip rap and teenage spirit.
Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang. PETA’s longest-running musical takes every child and child at heart to journey into a fairytale book that has come to life.
Batang Rizal. Pepito, a young boy from the future opens a magical book that becomes a magical portal to the past and future. In his journey, he finds a young Jose Rizal exploring colonial Calamba.
For more information, contact (02) 725-6244, 0917-5765400, petatheater@gmail.com, www.petatheater.com.
