Repertory
Philippines (REP) is taking on the challenge of presenting CAROUSEL, the best musical of the 20th century, to present-day
theater crowd as it opens on November
26, 2022 at the Tanghalang Ignacio
Gimenez within the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex. With a
radical vision by first-time REP director Toff
De Venecia, this reimagination of the beloved Broadway musical underscores
the transcendent power of hope and love.
Created by the legendary team of Richard
Rodgers (Music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (Book and Lyrics) that together
redefined musical theater and ushered Broadway's golden age, CAROUSEL collected
accolades from critics and praises from audiences after its original opening in
1945. This production won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best
Musical, and was ultimately hailed by Time Magazine as the greatest musical of
the 20th century. Its subsequent revivals also won Tony, Olivier, and Drama
Desk Awards, a testament to this R&H classic’s timeless and universal
appeal.
CAROUSEL follows the story of Billy
Bigelow, a swaggering and carefree carnival barker, who falls in love with and
marries Julie Jordan, a sweet yet naïve millworker. After learning Julie is
pregnant, a desperate Billy is forced to participate in a robbery that ends in
a tragedy. He is then given a second chance to make things right. A moving tale
of redemption, CAROUSEL features some of musical theater classics like If I Loved You, June is Bustin’ Out All Over, and You’ll Never Walk Alone.
REP’s comeback production will be led by
sought-after theater leading man Gian
Magdangal and singer, actor, and OPM royalty Karylle Tatlonghari who are both joining a REP production for the
first time. Joining the two leads are REP stalwarts Loy Martinez and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante.
“It is with great pride that Repertory Philippines
is making its return to live theater with a production that is both renowned
and beloved. We are all thrilled with how Toff has executed his bold, brave
vision of CAROUSEL for the current generation of theatergoers,” says Mindy Perez Rubio, REP president and
CEO. “Together with a superb cast, including our wonderful female lead Karylle,
whom we are also working with for the first time, I think CAROUSEL will prove
to be a fitting and triumphant return to the stage for Repertory Philippines.”
The show was set to be the crown jewel of
the REP 2020 theatrical season with the same director at the helm, but like all
theater productions worldwide, CAROUSEL was postponed. For De Venecia, the
pause was a welcome opportunity for introspection that has further helped with
the eminent theater company’s transition to more progressive, dynamic, and
culturally relevant narratives, with the guidance of Artistic Director Liesl Batucan-Del Rosario.
“I am in a liminal state - navigating the romanticism of the best musical of
the 20th century and the landmines in the text, reading it from a contemporary
21st century perspective. We had a radical proposition during the 2020 staging,
and possibly even a more radical proposition now which we're excited to explore
further in rehearsals,” the director says.
“What did our colleagues go through and
experience in their own individual lives in the last two and a half years, and
also communally with their families, friends, and the entire community that's
just coming together again after being separated for so long. A lot of that
will find its way into the show we're preparing for in November.”
As the production now moves at full speed,
the director emphasized that they are navigating new frontiers of theater and
exploring the ways they can seamlessly push this Broadway masterpiece into
post-pandemic realities and contexts.
“While this R&H musical is closest to
an opera which necessitates its own grandiosity as told through elaborate
mise-en-scène or even how the music is orchestrated or how the songs are sung,
we push against this idea and explore new ways forward in this post-modern
contemporary CAROUSEL that the team is working on,” De Venecia elaborates.
“It's an alchemy of limitations that gives rise to contemporary possibilities.”
Gian Magdangal as BILLY BIGELOW, a strong and
attractive carousel barker at a coastal carnival. Unemployed with a baby on the
way, Billy takes an illicit opportunity to provide for his family that leads
him to his death. Once in heaven, he gets a second chance to right his wrongs.
Karylle Tatlonghari as JULIE JORDAN, a quiet
young woman who is more complex than she might first appear. Despite warnings
from others, she sees something good in Billy and marries him. After a tragedy,
she courageously carries and raises their child without him.
Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as CARRIE PIPPERIDGE, a
spirited and complacent young woman. She is sweet and direct, if a bit naïve.
She lives at a boardinghouse with her close friend Julie, and is smitten by the
ambitious but single-minded Enoch.
Lorenz “Loy” Martinez as ENOCH SNOW, a
warm-hearted, simple-minded fisherman who loves Carrie. His dreams of growing a
sardine-canning business, being married, and having many children all come
true.
Toff De
Venecia, Director
| Former child actor-turned-acclaimed theater director, Toff had his first theater experience through Repertory Philippines’ REP's Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA) before eventually joining Ateneo Blue Repertory in college. He has directed successful theater productions like the musical Dani Girl and the millennial-focused prod No Filter: The Millennial Monologues. He is also now a member of the House of Representatives for the 4th district of Pangasinan, which allows him to create and support bills that will boost the local arts and culture scene. |
Witness REP’s highly anticipated return to live theater with no less than a bold, brave vision for one of Broadway’s glorious masterpieces. Catch CAROUSEL starting November 26 until December 18 at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez.
Tickets will be available through the CCP Box Office, TicketWorld, and SM Tickets. Ticket prices are ₱3,000 for Rows 1 and 2, ₱2,500 for Row 3, ₱2,000 for Row 4, ₱1,500 for Row 5, and ₱1,000 for Row 6.
For updates, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, like and follow Repertory Philippines on Facebook and Instagram. Educators and school representatives who are interested in the show can email sales@repphil.org.
