MANILA, Philippines - Arts month may be over (same goes for love month) but there’s no shortage of it happening in the performing arts world. From a superhero ballet with music by the Eraserheads to various explorations of the immortal bard, check out these amazing shows that will leave your pockets empty but your souls full. (*Grumbles with vibrato.) — TOFF DE VENECIA
TIME STANDS STILL
Straight play
Presenter: Red Turnip Theater
Where: White Space
Showdates: March 6 (9 p.m.),
March 7 (4 p.m. & 8 p.m.),
Mar 8 (4 p.m. & 8 p.m.)
Details: Ticketworld at 891-9999.
The genius five-fecta that brought you Cock and Rabbit Hole returns with a powerful drama about the choices and compromises we make for the sake of love. A Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Donald Margulies about a war correspondent who is reintegrated into daily life, the show features Ana Abad Santos and Nonie Buencamino who churn out the performances of their careers, alongside Nor Domingo and Giannina Ocampo.
MANHID: THE PINOY SUPERHERO MUSICAL
Ballet + musical
Presenter: Ballet Philippines
Where: CCP Main Theater
Showdates: March 6
(8 p.m.) March 7 (6 p.m.), March 8
(2 p.m. & 6 p.m.)
Details: Ticketworld at 891-9999.
Following their genre-bending mash-up with last year’s Rock Supremo, Ballet Philippines returns with this superhero rock musical set in an alternate present day Philippines where the EDSA revolution failed. Inspired by comic book superheroes from the ‘60s to ‘90s, the show features music by Vincent de Jesus, Carina Evangelista, Kanakan Balintagos and the Eraserheads, and performances from the likes of indie actor Sandino Martin and theater darling Fredison Lo.
ROMEO AND JULIET
Classic
Presenter: Manila
Shakespeare Company
Where: Teatriano Greenhills
Showdates: March 6 (8 p.m.)Details: Text 0939-5969250.
Welcome Manila’s newest theater group, the Manila Shakespeare Company, committed to performing Shakespeare and reviving interest in the bard for a brand new generation. “Oh Romeo! Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” For those of you who are suckers for romance, this timeless classic might be the perfect antidote to all your relationship woes — tragedy notwithstanding.
HARING LEAR
Classic
Presenter: Studio Connections
Where: SDA College of St. Benilde
Showdates: March 6 (7:30 p.m.), March 7 (2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.), March 8 (2 p.m.)
Details: Ticketworld at 891-9999.
The bard is on a roll. Haring Lear, an adaptation by Bienvenido Lumbera, is set in a post-nuclear landscape that highlights the dramatic descent of a king into madness. As he is plunged into the world of anarchy, themes of vision and blindness are explored masterfully by Shakespeare in this drama of purgation. This all-male, all-bald production will make for visual eye candy and will tickle all your art-house, Mad Max sensibilities.
4000 MILES
Straight play
Presenter: Repertory Philippines
Where: Onstage Greenbelt
Showdates: March 6 (8 p.m.), March 7 (3:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.), March 8 (3:30 p.m.) ‘til March 29 (3:30 p.m.)
Details: Ticketworld at 891-9999.
After suffering a major loss while on a cross-country bike trip, 21-year-old Leo seeks solace in his feisty 91-year-old grandmother Vera in her West Village apartment. “A funny, moving, altogether wonderful drama… a heartening reminder that a keen focus on life’s small moments can pay off in a big way onstage,” says The New York Times. The play will star Baby Barredo alongside Jeff Flores, with Caisa Borromeo and Cara Barredo.
ARBOL DE FUEGO
New classic
Presenter: PETA
Where: PETA Theater Center
Showdates: March 6 (8 p.m.), March 7 (3 p.m. & 8 p.m.), March 8 (3 p.m. & 8 p.m.), March 13 (8 p.m.), March 14 (3 p.m. & 8 p.m.), and March 15 (3 p.m. & 8 p.m.).
Details: Ticketworld at 891-9999.
PETA takes a break from Rak of Aegis and presents a reimagining of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Arbol de Fuego is a tragicomedy about middle-aged matriarch Enriquetta Jardeleza-Sofronio (played by the Cherie Gil) who comes home after having squandered the family fortune on a long stay in Madrid. The play also stars indie film greats Jake Macapagal and Angeli Bayani, among many others.