CHANGING PARTNERS Returns to the PETA Stage in May

Following its successful transition into film, the critically acclaimed and award-winning musical CHANGING PARTNERS is returning to the stage this May at the PETA Theater Center. 

The Journey

According to multi-awarded composer and writer Vincent A. DeJesus, the book, libretto, and music of Changing Partners were inspired by his own personal stories and of his friends. When asked how long it took him to write this piece his reply was, “A lifetime.” 

Changing Partners was first presented in a full-house, one-night-only Stage Reading at the Virgin Labfest in July 2016. The Virgin Labfest, spearheaded by the Writers’ Bloc Inc., is a festival of new plays by emerging and established Filipino playwrights held annually at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The staged reading featured actors Ricky Ibe, Patricia Ismael, Giannina Ocampo, and Sandino Martin and was directed by Director Rem Zamora. 

Two months after, DeJesus and Zamora came together once again to produce the full production of  Changing Partners: A Torch Musical. Produced by DeJesus and the PETA Theater Center, the musical was staged at the 115-seater PETA Theater Center’s Studios in September and October 2016. Actors Agot Isidro, Jojit Lorenzo, Anna Luna, and Sandino Martin starred in the play, while DeJesus was the musical director and provided live piano accompaniment. About the same time, The Bindlestiff Studio in California, U.S.A. produced and performed the musical as part of its Tagalog Theater Festival and featured Fil-American actors. Several weeks after, DeJesus submitted the script to the Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature where it received a Best Full-Length Play award. In November and December 2016, the musical went back onstage and had another successful rerun at the PETA Theater Center Studios.

In November 2017, Changing Partners: A Torch Musical transitioned from being a theater musical to full feature film. Under the direction of blockbuster movie director, Dan Villegas, the film starred the same cast as the full musical theater production and was a film entry at the 2017 Cinema One Originals Film Festival. Changing Partners - The Movie won eight awards: Best Director (Villegas), Best Actress (Isidro), Best Actor (Lorenzo), Best Acting Ensemble (Isidro, Lorenzo, Luna, Martin), Best Editing (Marya Ignacio), Best Music (DeJesus), Audience Choice Award, and Champion Bughaw for Best Film. Because of its success and critical acclaim, Changing Partners – The Movie was given a nationwide commercial release in January 2018. The movie also released the Changing Partners – The Movie Original Soundtrack on Spotify. Produced by Star Records, select song from the musical movie were covered by Star Music artists KZ Tandingan, Jona Viray, Khalil Ramos, and Daryl Ong. In February 2018, it won big at the 34th Movie Press Club of the Philippines – Star Awards 2018, bagging five awards under the Independent Film Category: Best Film, Best Director (Villegas), Best Screenwriter (DeJesus and co-writer Lilit Reyes), Best Editing (Marya Ignacio), and Best Music (DeJesus).

A New Offering

Looking at its track record, Changing Partners seems to be moving in the fast lane. In the span of less than two years, it has impressively achieved what would normally take about a decade, or more, to reach. But the team behind this gut-wrenching, anti-romcom musical is not slowing down anytime soon. They are taking Changing Partners to another level by bringing it to a bigger stage—the 400-seater PETA-Phinma Theater.

Agot Isidro, Jojit Lorenzo, Anna Luna, and Sandino Martin are returning to reprise their roles, and Director Rem Zamora is again directing. DeJesus will be joined by cellist Poch Gutierrez to provide live music accompaniment. Another addition to the close-knit team is production designer Ben Padero, who also designed the set of PETA’s adaptation of Marsha Norman’s “Night, Mother.”

CHANGING PARTNERS: THE STAGE MUSICAL is having a two-weekend run at the PETA-Phinma Theater, PETA Theater Center on May 11-13 and 19-20, 2018. Show dates are as follows:

May 11	8:30 pm
May 12	3:00 and 7:00 pm*
May 13	3:00 and 8:00 pm
May 19	3:00 and 8:00 pm
May 20	3:00 pm

Ticket prices for all shows except May 12 (7:00 pm) are Php1200 (VIP), Php1000 (Orchestra Center), Php800 (Orchestra Sides), Php1000 (Balcony Center), and Php500 (Balcony Sides). 

*The May 12 (7:00 pm) show is sponsored by the UPCM Class of 1998 as a fundraiser for the benefit of the National Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgical and Cancer patients. Ticket prices are Php1500 (VIP), Php1300 (Orchestra Center), Php1000 (Orchestra Sides), Php1200 (Balcony Center), and Php800 (Balcony Sides). 

You can book your tickets through Ticketworld (http://bit.ly/CPticketworld). You may also call or text (0945 499 1008) or send a message to the PETA Theater Center Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PETATheaterCenter/) for inquiries and reservations.

#ChangingPartnersTheMusical

'Rabbit Hole' Launches Red Turnip Theater's Second Season

In the Span of a year, Red Turnip Theater has made its mark in the Philippines theater scene. The band of five actors that make up Red Turnip (Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, cris Villonco and Rem Zamora) wanted to come up with a maiden season that would re-introduce Philippine audiences to the straight play while putting their own stamp on the theatrical experience. Their first production, "Closer", was a bursting and honest take on modern day relationships and their and their follow-up, "Cock", was a biting comedy about sexual identity. Both productions went on to acclaim with critics and audiences alike.

The five are back with their second season and are excited to kick start it with the 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner, "Rabbit Hole". Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, "Rabbit Hole" was a Broadway hit that garnered several Tony nominations and a win for its lead actress, Cynthia Nixon. It was then adapted into a critically acclaimed film with Nicole Kidman in 2010 and earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

The story revolves around Becca and Howie, a couple who lose their four year old son to a car accident, and the grief that slowly threatens to tear them apart. Shifting between humor and heartbreak "Rabbit Hole" explores the way people deal with loss and how this affects those closest to them; their families. Variety calls it "an intensely emotional examination of grief, laced with wit, insightfulness, compassion, and searing honesty"

The Manila premier has film and television star Agot Isidro in the role of Becca, with theater veteran Michael Williams as her husband Howie. This production marks Agot's return to theater after notable turns in Tanghalang Pilipino's "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah", Atlantis Productions' "Baby" and Trumpets' "Honk!". Williams' long list of credits include starring roles in "Jekyll and Hyde", "Les Misearbles" and "Man of La Mancha" for Repertory Philippines.

Agot Isidro: I'm a little nervous about going back to theater 'cause it has been seven years since my last production (Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah). But I am excited at the same time, because I know it will be a welcome and enriching break after years of TV work. I am especially on hte ege about 'Rabbit Hole' because this is my first straight play. With musicals, htere's a certain comfort in knowing that, at some parts, I burst into song. So a straight play is all new to me. But I am looking forward to the process.

Michael Williams: I am very much looking forward to working with Red Turnip on their production of 'Rabbit Hole', It's an amazing script and based on their previous productions, no doubt this one will also be handled with a high degree of sensitivity.

Joining Isidro and Wiliams are Che Ramos-Cosio(Tatlong maria, Dogeaters) as Becca's sister Izzy and Sheila Francisco(South Pacific, August Osage County) as thier mother Nat. Dulaang UP's Ross Pesigan (Ang Nawalang Kapatid, Titus Andronicus) rounds off the eclectic cast as Jason, ethe young boy responsible for the tragic loss of their son.

Topper Fabregas makes his directorial debut:

Apart from it being a brilliant script, we Turnips also chose 'Rabbit Hole' as our second season opener because were hungry to show a different side to us. 'Closer' nd 'Cock' defined our first season as these fantastic, in-your-face experiences. 'Rabbit Hole' takes the (deceptively) gentler approach but will knowck you out just hte same. It's also a greaat showcase for its cast, and you don't get any better than these five actors. We are excited to have them on board. We are also very thrilled to be back at Whitespace!

"Rabbit Hole" opens on August 1. 2014 and runs all weekends of August. Log on to Https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater for complete show schedules.

Tickets are available through TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph) or Red Turnip Theater (redturniptheater@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/redturniptheater)

Creative Staff
Director: Topper Fabregas
Tecjmoca; Doretopm & Lighting Design: John Batalla
Set Design: Faust Peneyra
Sound Design: Jethro Joaquin

Venue: Whitespace is located at 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extention(formerly Pasong Tamo Extention), makati.