MANILA, Philippines - Love –– be it romantic, platonic or erotic –– is beautifully defined in Gantimpala Theater’s Sayaw ng mga Señorita, a dramatic-comedy play written by Jose Javier Reyes, under the direction of Jun Pablo, which will initially be shown during the National Theater Festival, presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Multi-awarded directors and actors give life to attention grabbing personalities that only Reyes can create: Soxie Topacio as Rading de Guzman, antique collector and dealer and birthday celebrant; Joel Lamangan as Terry Mangubat, the affluent yet penny-pinching businessman; Arnell Ignacio as Romeo Cajanding, bikini-open producer and talent manager of male starlets; Manny Castañeda as Dr. Gerry Almario, aesthetic and cosmetic surgeon of the stars; and Bb. Gandanghari as Raquel Villasor, homecoming queen and socialite.
Sayaw ng mga Señorita gives audiences a peek into the surprise birthday party of Rading (now scintillating at 60 years-old). As the shindig progresses, it becomes an opportune occasion for the “sisterhood” to examine, to be incensed, loquacious, melancholic, melodramatic about their present situations and optimistic of what lies ahead.
Also starring are Doreen Bernal, yaya of Rading and Bea Alonzo fanatic, and China Cojuangco, as Myrna Almario, the ever-loyal and unsuspecting wife of Doc Gerry.
The reasons for the rainbow-colored days and nights of the señoritas are Chase Cervera as Ollie Samson, nurse and loving partner of Rading, Johnron Tañada as Ericson, a bikini-open runner up, Christian Paul Meteoro as Troy, the aspiring starlet, Royce Chua as Lance, the hip-hop dancer and Dax Alejandro as Kuya Ed, the condominium security guard.
Helping director Pablo and playwright Reyes achieve the señoritas’ fantabulous world are Monino Duque (lights designer), Dong Calingacion (technical director), Glenda Alday (stage manager) and Alice Borbe (production manager).
National Theater Festival shows are on Nov. 16, Friday, 3 p.m. and 8.p.m., at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City.
Succeeding performances are on Nov. 23, Friday, at 7 p.m.; Nov. 24, Saturday, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 1, Saturday, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. and 7.p.m., at the AFP Theater, Camp Aguinaldo Quezon City.
The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Café Ysabel and Everbilena fully support Sayaw ng mga Señorita. For the CCP shows, please call the CCP Box-Office at 832-3704 and 832-1125 local 1409. For the AFP shows, for tickets, block buying and sponsorships, call 998-5622 or (0939) 908-7633. Like www.facebook.com/gantimpala.