The Normal Heart Is All Set For Re-Run This October

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The recent, very-limited run Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart” by The Necessary Theatre was called “important,” some critics hailing the quality of its acting, its direction, and design. It drew raves from a very wide spectrum of audiences, theater-goers and non theater-goers alike.

But for all the praise garnered for different aspects of the production, the two most common sentiments were: 1. How the play has awakened the viewer to the HIV crisis in our own country and 2. A real clamor for a repeat of the show.

In 1981 in New York, a mysterious disease was ravaging a very specific, very “specialized” demographic: gay men. It aggravated deep-seated feelings of hatred and festering bigotries against, and even within the ranks of its victims. The confusion, chaos, panic and paranoia could have been a scenario from a b-grade disaster movie except that the crisis was very real and very frightening. No cause for the fatal illness was yet known, no strategies for prevention, no cure remotely in sight.

One doctor understands that the disease is transmitted sexually. She recruits a writer with a reputation for abrasiveness to combat the epidemic in two ways. First, he noisily clamors, if almost singlehandedly, for action against City Hall and the Health Department; and then fights against his own community,-- the gay community-- to convince its members to cease all sexual activity among themselves.

Ballet Philippines' Sarong Banggi Celebrates The Filipino Family on Oct. 16 to 18

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Rediscover local musical treasures in a new ballet about the Filipino family. Ballet Philippines’ Sarong Banggi features new works by six exciting Filipino choreographers set to classic folk songs from around the country, arranged and orchestrated by Ryan Cayabyab, the country’s best-loved composer. Renowned fashion designer Rajo Laurel designs the costumes for this ballet.

The show features choreography by Carissa Adea, Ronelson Yadao, Cyril Aran Fallar, Paul Alexander Morales, Nonoy Froilan, and Carlo Pacis. Each choreographer brings to the stage his unique impression of the Filipino family in a new contemporary ballet with the cast led by Jean Marc Cordero, Earl John Arisola, Rita Angela Winder, and Monica Amanda Gana.

“Sarong Banggi will tug at the audience’s heartstrings with its nostalgic music and earnest look at traditional Filipino values,” says Ballet Philippines Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales”. “It will be exciting to see these choreographers’ different takes on familiar themes; love, loss and reconciliation that cements the Filipino family”

When asked by Morales to create two pieces for the show, Hong Kong-based choreographer Carlo Pacis was excited at the chance to come home and work with Ballet Philippines again. “As a Filipino living overseas, I felt that it was my responsibility to give back.” Pacis, former soloist of the Hong Kong Ballet is a two-time awardee for Outstanding Choreography at the Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards.

The Joy of Third World Improv - SPITs Own Improvisational Theater School

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Third World Improv - SPIT's own improvisational theater school is ready to accept applications for their very first level one classes on October 7!

"The Joy of Improv" is for people who are curious about the art of improv and are ready to explore their creative side. No theater and performing arts experience required. All you need is curiosity and a hunger to play improv games!

There will be eight three hour classes on Wednesday nights in Makati starting OCTOBER 7 (7-10PM.) This class will be led by Ariadne Cristobal.

"The Playful Stage" is for actors and performers who want to inject more spontaneity, quick thinking and deep listening into their thespic toolkit.

There will be eight three hour classes on Saturday afternoons for this starting OCTOBER 10 (2-5PM.) Dingdong Rosales will be muse and mentor for this class.