Sci-Fi Thriller “The Nether” Closes Red Turnip’s 4th Season

Press Announcement:

Fresh off the critical success of their last outing, the family comedy-drama Tribes, Red Turnip Theater is ready to take audiences into a different theater experience with the sci-fi thriller THE NETHER.

Ever since making their debut four years ago, Red Turnip has already made quite the dent in the local theater scene. By sticking to their vision of producing contemporary straight plays, this young company has almost single-handedly paved the way for the straight play to find equal footing in a landscape formerly dominated by the musical. Younger companies have sprouted and followed suit and there are now more text-driven plays getting produced than ever before. Each of the Red Turnip’s eight productions has gone on to top critics’ lists and garner awards and nominations from both the Aliw and Gawad Buhay Awards, making this company the go-to for outstanding plays that both entertain and move.

Their Fourth Season’s grand finale is THE NETHER, a sci-fi crime drama about the dilemmas of living in a virtual world. Written by Jennifer Haley and winner of the 2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, this thrilling play explores the ethical questions and moral consequences of living out one’s hidden desires and fantasies. Set in the not-so-distant future, this haunting thriller made its West End and Off-Broadway debut back in 2015 and has been produced across the U.S. and Europe.

THE NETHER is a play for our times. It is relevant; it is provocative. In the play, life is spent more and more in The Nether, a virtual paradise so interactive that it engages all the senses--a tempting haven to retreat from a bleak world. But the main conflict begs the question: In a computer-generated space, is there no room for ethics and morality? THE NETHER isn’t just about Virtual Reality, but Reality itself.

Jenny Jamora (Cock, The Vagina Monologues, A Little Night Music) returns to the Red Turnip stage to take on the lead role of Detective Morris, an investigator of The Nether’s online offerings.

THE NETHER boasts a powerhouse ensemble led by legendary actors Bernardo Bernardo (Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis, El Filibusterismo, Katy!) and Bodjie Pascua (3 Stars and a Sun, The Tempest Reimagined, Waiting for Godot). Making their Red Turnip debuts, young actresses Alba Berenguer-Testa (Annie) and Junyka Santarin (GMA 7’s Pyra) alternate in one of the play’s pivotal roles. Screen actor TJ Trinidad (Saving Sally) joins the cast after an accomplished theater debut as Bruce in last year’s The Normal Heart, which garnered him a Gawad Buhay nomination for Best Featured Actor.

With a stellar cast and creative team, this Red Turnip production is sure to electrify with its one-of-a-kind story and give audiences the complete theatrical experience this groundbreaking new company is known for.

THE NETHER opens March 10 and runs all weekends until April 9. Tickets at www.ticketworld.com.ph or www.redturnip.com.ph.

Venue: The Power Mac Center Spotlight Theater

             Circuit, Makati

             (Level 2, Circuit Lane, A.P. Reyes Avenue, Makati City)

Directed by: Ana Abad Santos

Lighting Design / Technical Direction: John Batalla

Set Design: Ed Lacson, Jr.

Sound Design: Teresa Barrozo

Costume Design: Faust Peneyra

Red Turnip Reveals 33 Variations of Creativity in a White Space

Romancing the music, travelling in time and beyond, witty exchanges, and other creative variations presented in a simple white space.  That is the Red Turnip flavor for you as they executed the play 33 Variations by Moisés Kaufman in an imaginative and ethereal way.

Red Turnip Theater kicked off its third season with the opening of its newest offering 33 VARIATIONS at Whitespace, Makati last July 23 for press viewing.  The play focused on music as a theme and as a tool to highlight the emotions of the actors.  The additional choreography of light, set design, and music elevated the experience to another level.  It is like music appreciation in a visual level, at the same time training the audience’s ears to listen to each and every note, as well as sequences of notes.

The story was presented in a time parallel sort of way with minimal props but with efficient, and effective results in progressing the story.  Utilizing the audience imagination to provide the details of an otherwise grand set design is something I always admire when done well.

Just as expected, the acting performance of all was flawless and if there were minor hitches along the way, it didn’t affect the overall experience. I particularly enjoyed the exchanges between Rem Zamora’s character and Paolo O’hara’s character because of how they perform such eccentricities.  Funny scenes have a tendency to be remembered overall. There were some lean moments which gave time for minor distractions among the audience as I noticed some to look away or close their eyes. The “loudness” or strong stage presence of the characters of Rem and Paolo brought them back to the stage. The “cockiness” of Roselyn Perez’s character is another attention-grabber, she can recapture a distracted audience member with her quips and distinctive voice.

The dying scene and “cross-over” scene of Shamaine Buencamino and Teroy Guzman is another memorable part of the play that hit a high note for me.

33 VARIATIONS tells the story of a renowned musicologist, Katherine Brandt, who is on a mission to discover why Beethoven composed the Diabelli variations, considered as one of his greatest masterpieces. Her daughter, Clara, is on a mission to find her place in her mother's world. Together, they maneuver through Beethoven's colorful life, their own challenging relationship, and somehow find their answers within his music. Shifting between periods and places, 33 VARIATIONS is the story of mothers and daughters and the legacies we long to leave behind.  

33 VARIATIONS also marks Red Turnip’s first show to incorporate live music: critical moments in the play are underscored by the Diabelli Variations themselves, played live and on stage by Ejay Yatco (“Sa Wakas”, “Dani Girl”, “The Boy in the Bathroom”). Although he is mostly known as a composer and musical director, the 24 year-old has also competed at the 2013 World Championship of Performing Arts under the Classical Piano category, where he made it to the final 3 instrumentalists of the world and took home one gold and three silver medals. Yatco will be playing the Variations on a baby grand piano, provided by LYRIC.

33 VARIATIONS opens July 24 and runs weekends until August 23 at Whitespace, Makati.

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

"Time Stands Still" for Red Turnip Starting Jan 30

Press Release:

Fresh off the critical success of the Pulitzer Prize winner RABBIT HOLE, Red Turnip is capping off its second season with another heralded play from Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Donald Marguilles, TIME STANDS STILL.

Staying true to their promise to bring more straight plays to the metro, Red Turnip founders Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco and Rem Zamora are excited to add TIME STANDS STILL to their growing list of productions. The first season productions, COCK and CLOSER, redefined the theater experience with their biting scripts and clever, innovative staging. RABBIT HOLE’s quieter approach garnered acclaim for its stellar cast and astute direction.

TIME STANDS STILL is the story of Sarah, a photojournalist who must return home with her journalist boyfriend James after sustaining injuries from war-torn Middle East. The play follows their love story as they negotiate a more ordinary life, far from the thrills of a battleground. Yet the comforts of urban domesticity—the simple pleasures and small compromises—can be a minefield of its own. "Time Stands Still" is a blazingly important play about responsibility - to ourselves, to our loved ones, to our community, and to our world.

TIME STANDS STILL was a hit when it premiered on Broadway in 2009 and was brought back for a second run the very same year.  It also garnered two Tony nominations; Best Play and Best Performance by a Leading Actress for Laura Linney.

Ana Abad Santos and Nonie Buencamino headline the Manila premier as Sarah and James. An Aliw Award Winner for her stalwart turn in “Mary Stuart”, Ana Abad Santos is one of the most respected actresses of her generation, having done numerous lead roles for almost all of the Manila theater companies. She graduated from LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) and has crossed over to film and television work, most recently in the BAFTA-nominated “Metro Manila”. She is also an accomplished stage director and has received nominations and acclaim for her directorial work in “Hamlet”, “The 39 Steps” and Red Turnip’s "Closer”.

Nonie Buecamino is considered as one of Manila’s greatest leading men and character actors. He has essayed numerous roles onstage and has garnered many awards and nominations for his wide range of stage, film and television work. He is also fixture in the independent film scene and was last seen in Cinemalaya’s “Dagitab” and “K’na the Dreamweaver”, as well as Jun Lana’s “Barber’s Tales”. His most recent stage appearances include Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Stageshow”, CCP’s “Lorenzo” and in Resorts World Manila’s “King and I” as the King.

Nor Domingo and Giannina Ocampo round out the cast as the couple's longtime friend Richard and his much younger girlfriend Mandy. Nor Domingo is an actor, director and resident member of PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). He was last seen in PETA's "Haring Lear" and as Fernan in the runaway hit "Rak of Aegis". He is also a Best Supporting Actor nominee for "Philippino Story" for Cinema One 2013. Giannina Ocampo is a rising star in the theater scene after her hilarious turns in Repertory Philippines' "Leading Ladies", "Boeing Boeing" and in

Resorts World Manila's "Cinderella" as the wicked stepsister Grace.

Following up his successful directorial debut in "Cock", Rem Zamora directs his second show for Red Turnip. “I'm quite excited about this one because, this time around, I will have an actual set”, he quips.  “But seriously, it’s a totally different script compared to ‘Cock’, it’s powerful because it’s so quiet.”

TIME STANDS STILL is set to open in Whitespace on January 30 and runs weekends until March 8, 2015.

After Cocks, Closer, Rabbit Hole Opens Second Season of Red Turnip Theater

After seeing Cocks, Closer, now Rabbit Hole Opens for more intriguing and thought-provoking plays by Red Turnip. In the span of a year, Red Turnip Theater has made its mark in the Philippine theater scene with a band of five actors, Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco and Rem Zamora. Their first production, “Closer”, was a bruising and honest take on modern day relationships 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 kickstart 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 humour 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 Miserables" and "Man of La Mancha" for Repertory Philippines.

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

Topper Fabregas makes his directorial debut with “Rabbit Hole" as it 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 https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater)

CREATIVE STAFF

Direction: Topper Fabregas

Technical Direction & Lighting Design: John Batalla

Set Design: Faust Peneyra

Sound Design: Jethro Joaquin

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

What in Cock's Name Is Red Turnip's Play About?

Cock . . well that's a title that will certainly grab you, regardless of what gender you belong. It certainly sparked my curiosity especially with people already buzzing about it. Giggly theater-goers would joke about minding what you say about the play . . . “I want to see Cock”, “Cock was great”, or “I love Cock”. Well, Red Turnip Theater did make a scene with this stripped-down theater play. What I mean to say, is that with the barest of set design, that's like an arena for a cock fight, and with a cast of only four actors, the play delivered maximum entertainment highlighting pure acting talent with the audience guided to use their imagination.

People who have been regulary watching theater would know that having a cast with Audie Gemora, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, and Niccolo Manahan will expect no less than perfection in their dialogue delivery, blocking, and basically keep the play going regardless of minor stumbles. If there was a “Little hitch”, no one noticed . . the performance was flawless. Imagine using dialogue and blocking to take over scenes or sets, the director really had a challenge before him. And because of that, I have to give a lot of credit to Director Rem Zamora for this concept. I believe it worked because of the great talents onstage who must have the confidence to perform with no set, no curtains to hide in, and performing inches away from the audience who happen to be surrounding you on all sides.

All four actors were equally great in their roles. Period. I would just like to point out a favorite scene, which I felt was just as memorable as the famous scene from the movie “When Harry Met Sally”, and that is the imaginary sex scene between Topper and Jenny. As the audience had to settle with their imagination with regard to the visual aspect, the sound and the feeling was delivered so vividly and in good taste. I'm certain it left a smile in everyone's face. So that's all I am going to share with you . . . you just have to watch the rest for yourself.

What happens when a young gay man falls in love with a woman? COCK, by Mike Bartlett, revolves around a gay couple whose rocky relationship derails when one of them sleeps (and falls in love) with a woman. The result is “the ultimate bitch fight”,

Fresh off the success of their critically-acclaimed CLOSER last October at Whitespace, Red Turnip promises another unique, in your face theatrical experience with it's second offering.. Rem Zamora makes his directorial debut with COCK.“We’re excited to be back in Whitespace. A lot of people who came to CLOSER said they enjoyed the intimacy of the experience and the space. That was in Hall B. We’re going even more intimate this time in the smaller Hall A. COCK also plays in the round so it feels like you’re watching a fight in an arena—no frills: just words and pure conflict in the ring, and an intense involvement in the audience.”

Zamora has assembled a tight cast of theatrical heavyweights for COCK’s Manila premier: Topper Fabregas (Boeing Boeing, The Producers), Niccolo Manahan (Next Fall, Doubt), Jenny Jamora (Mind’s Eye, A Little Night Music), Audie Gemora (Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables)

Fabregas is John, a young man caught between his gay lover and his growing attraction to another woman- W, played by Jamora.

Niccolo Manahan makes a theatrical comeback as M, John’s lover who isn’t about to let him go without a fight. “I feel ‘Cock’ will be a great experiment for me; an experiment in balancing my life with the things I enjoy doing, and an experiment in pushing my range. I don’t know where this experiment will lead but its an incredible opportunity that I’m thankful for.”

Rounding off this impressive cast is theatre stalwart Audie Gemora as F, M’s well-meaning father whose sudden appearance at dinner throws everyone for a loop. “The birth of a theater group is always exciting and eventful with fresh artistic vision and passion. I am thrilled to be part of Red Turnips 2nd offering, ‘Cock’. This is Rem Zamora's directorial debut and my first time to be acting opposite brilliant young actors Niccolo Manahan and Jenny Jamora, while Topper Fabregas takes on his most complex character yet. Together we jump into a crackling cock fight of personalities, emotions and words.”

Cock will be staged at Whitespace — 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati — on March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4 (Friday, 9 p.m.); March 8, 15, 29 and April 5 (Saturday, 8 p.m.); April 5, Saturday at 4 p.m.; March 9, 16, 23 and April 6 (Sunday, 4 p.m.) and special closing gala on April 6, Sunday, 8 p.m.

Tickets are available through TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph)

Or Red Turnip Theater (redturniptheater@gmail.com or

https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater)