Repertory Philippines returns to form with a full lineup—a first since 2019.
Repertory Philippines launches into 2024 with exciting new productions that explore a kaleidoscope of narratives and characters that tackle love and yearning. This new season takes audiences to the familiar highs and lows of all kinds of relationships and inspires them to deepen their appreciation for Filipino culture.
The first is the Manila premiere of Betrayal, one of the best-known plays of British theater icon and Nobel Prize winner in Literature Harold Pinter. It will feature London-based Filipino actors James Bradwell, James Cooney, and Vanessa White with Jef Flores and Regina De Vera as covers. Running from March 1 to 17, this production employs a reverse-chronological structure to tell the story and examine the consequences of an extramarital affair on three complex individuals and how clandestine meetings turn to dramatic confrontations.
From June 7 to 30, REP then goes off-Broadway with the lighthearted Joe Di Pietro (book and lyrics) and Jimmy Roberts (music) musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, taking audiences through a whirlwind series of vignettes on love and relationships.The longest-running off-Broadway musical revue with tours to 250 cities worldwide, this musical also tackles everything people thought about dating and marriage, lovers, and in-laws—but were just too afraid to confront and admit. Directed by the “first lady” of Philippine musical theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, REP’s I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change blends hearty humor and music. Other renowned creatives joining the production are Ejay Yatco for musical direction and Joey Mendoza for set design.
For its last two 2024 offerings, REP celebrates its roots by underlining its love for Filipino storytelling. Repertory Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA) showcases Filipino folklore in the all-new children’s musical Jepoy and the Magic Circle, an adaption of The Magic Circle, a children’s short story by Philippine cultural icon and literature legend Gilda Cordero Fernando. It centers on Jepoy and his dog, Galis, as they enter the whimsical balete world and befriend kapres, aswangs and tiyanaks and everything in between, to attend a tikbalang wedding. This musical adventure is brought to life by RTYA Creative Director Joy Virata as its director, award-winning playwright Rody Vera, and Ejay Yatco as its musical director.
REP caps off 2024 in November till December its first-ever original jukebox musical: Going Home to Christmas featuring the music of Mr. Christmas himself, Jose Mari Chan! For the season’s closing show, REP taps director, actor, and set designer Leo Rialp as director and theater actor Jeremy Domingo as assistant director. The musical is written by REP stalwarts Robbie Guevara, Luna Griño-Inocian, and Joel Trinidad, with additional scenes by Cathy Azanza-Dy.
What makes the 2024 season extra special for REP is that it also marks its nostalgic return to the Carlos P. Romulo Theater in RCBC Plaza, when they inaugurated the theater in 2001 with Celebration III, A Musical Revue before running for two wonderful decades at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt.
“This new REP season is going to be one for the books. We’re back and stronger than ever since the pandemic, having experimented with virtual theater and mounted Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Carousel as well as currently staging Snow White and the Prince for RTYA,” says REP President and CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio. “Despite dealing with close to four years of darkness, the show must go on. REP is ready for a new chapter with a fresh lineup of carefully curated productions, plus the initiation of The Bridge Project, that will enrich the cultural lives of Filipino theatergoers and artists.”
Catch the entire REP 2024 season by purchasing season passes now. Season subscribers can get access to REP productions at up to 30% off. The full season year pass includes 3 season shows + RTYA, with the Gold Year Pass at Php 6,650 (Orchestra Center), the Silver Year Pass at Php 5,250 (Orchestra Side) and a Balcony Year Pass at P3,710. Student and Corporate Season Passes are also available at discounted prices.
For show-buying and ticket inquiries, contact REP at 0966-905-4013 or send an email at marketing@repphil.org or sales@repphil.org. For updates and show schedules, visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph, or like and follow @repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.
