A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO

Repertory Philippines' 2009 theater season begins with Nick Joaquin's A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO, a timeless classic of Philippine theatre.

Set in pre-war Manila, it tells of two spinster sisters who continue to reside in their ancestral home with their aging artist father, in spite of conflicts that arise amongst family members to abandon the old house. The complexities of human frailties are brought to light as characters interact with one another in a tightly woven interplay of emotions.

The production brings together a confluence of momentous actors to flesh out this dearly-loved work that was first staged in early 1955 by the Barangay Theatre Guild (BTG), in the open-air theatre among the ruins of Intramuros. It was Daisy Avellana who first read the play in 1952 in the Weekly Women's Magazine, and forthwith got Joaquin's permission to present it on radio for the first time.

Repertory's rendition of PORTRAIT is directed by no less than Jose Mari Avellana, Daisy's son, who is a formidable actor/director in his own right. The cast features Irma Adlawan, Ana Abad Santos, Liesl Batucan, Joel Trinidad, Randy Villarama, Jeremy Domingo, Jay Glorioso, Dido de la Paz, Jenny Jamora, Astarte Abraham, Baby Barredo, Chinggoy Alonso, Lorna Lopez, Oliver Usison, Bonggoy Manahan, Celso Ylagan, Ernie Zarate, Jejie Esguerra, and Dingdong Rosales.

Performances run from January 16 to February 8, 2009 at Onstage Greenbelt 1 Theatre, Ayala Malls Makati. Catch Nick Joaquin's A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:30 pm.

Call the Rep office at 887-0710 or Ticketworld at 891-9999 for ticket inquiries.