Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson!

MANILA, Philippines - Count on Pinky Marquez’s thespic versatility to pull off just about any imaginable role onstage.

Fresh from her memorable portrayal of the cloistered Mother Abbess in Resorts World’s production of The Sound of Music late last year, the seasoned theater/TV and movie actress this time sheds her threads (and all her inhibitions) as she takes on the role of Mrs. Robinson in Repertory Philippines’ adaptation of The Graduate, based on the 1963 novel by Charles Webb.

The movie version, which starred Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katherine Ross, chronicles the “coming of age” of a young college graduate who finds himself in a quandary after falling for the seductive charms of an older woman and subsequently falling in love with her daughter.

Incidentally, the movie’s theme song, Mrs. Robinson, popularized by Simon and Garfunkel, was ranked by the American Cinema Film Institute as the sixth most popular movie theme song in the history of American cinema.

In 2002, the story took on a new dimension when it was adapted for stage by Terry Johnson, and premiered in London’s West End and later on in Broadway, with a stellar cast headed by Kathleen Turner, Jason Biggs and Alicia Silverstone.

Fast forward to 2013, when Repertory Philippines brought The Graduate to Manila and put its own delightful spin to the well-loved comedy, with director Jaime Del Mundo leading a talented cast comprised of Reb Atadero, Cara Barredo, Jeremy Domingo, Angela Padilla, Natalie Everett and Joel Trinidad

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. With the widespread acceptance of the “cougar” phenomenon in Hollywood and local social circles, the stage play takes an introspective look at this subtle art of “feline” seduction.

Although initially apprehensive about the required nude scenes, Pinky felt challenged by the material and let the compelling storyline override her fears.

“On the surface, while the nude scenes may seem shocking or risqué for some people, there’s an underlying element underneath all that,” she explains. “I think there’s a great lesson to be learned here about being more sensitive to each other, and to have more open communication because sometimes we don’t know what the other person is thinking.”

In more ways than one, Pinky advocates The Graduate as a modern-day treatise on love and intimacy. She quips, “Everybody should watch: parents, daughters, fathers, mothers, children — they should watch because it’s the unspoken words that are just as important in expressing intent. Hopefully, as actors doing our jobs, when they go home, they get the message and understand the essence of communication.”

“I think it’s bold, it’s honest and I think it’s good and it’s about time that people see it,” she says.

Asked about her own take on the subtle art of seduction, Pinky shares these words of wisdom, “It’s not even physical at all. It’s all about attitude and inner sexiness… sultriness.”

With a hilarious script, masterful direction, artistic lighting direction by John Batalla and brilliant performances led by Ms. Marquez, The Graduate is sure to seduce audiences all over again.

(Catch the Repertory Philippines presentation of The Graduate tonight at 8 and tomorrow, April 28, 3:30 p.m. at Onstage Greenbelt 1. Tickets at P1,200, P1,000, P800 and P500. Call 215-0788 or 0917-5378313 or e-mail cteshows@gmail.com for reservations. Show is for adults only.)