A Kapampangan musical at Holy Angel University
Teatru Ima at Arti, also known as MaARTI, presents “Ima — A Kapampangan Musical,” which will be shown on Jan. 30, 7 p.m., at Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampanga.
The mission of Andy Alviz — alumnus of Asian-Australian production of Miss Saigon and founder of the now-famous ArtiSta Rita which now has three Kapampangan CDs, countless original Kapampangan musicals and a very successful US tour — is to promote and preserve Kapampangan culture.
But Andy believes that more people should get involved in cultural development. This idea gave birth to a theater group composed of women who are “passionate and welcoming of the challenge of venturing into the magical genre of the performing arts.”
His new brainchild, Teatru Ima at Arti, also known as MaARTI, is a newly-formed non-profit theater group which is entirely composed of Kapampangan women who are 50 years old and above — an interesting mix of career women, entrepreneurs, artists and homemakers. Their aim is to render a different kind of entertainment to their audience, while inspiring women of all ages and proving that it is never too late to follow one’s heart. MaARTI is the first of its kind in Pampanga and arguably in the Philippines. Most of the members are theater neophytes.
Under Andy’s direction, the group will be singing, dancing and acting out an original Broadway-inspired musical written in Pampango at the end of the month. This will also be their maiden performance, which will serve as their formal launching as a group. As their advocacy is about women empowerment through the arts, proceeds from the show will fund worthwhile causes for the advancement of education, spiritual development and women’s welfare, such as foundations for battered women.
The show is also presented by Make.A.Change (MAC) Advertising and Events and SmartWorks Events and Market Solutions.
Ticket prices are P1,000, P500 and P250. For details, call or SMS 0922-863-1084, 0922-868-1456, 0922-868-7455, or 0922-863-3863.
