FLY ME TO THE MOON Extends Run Through Oct. 28

Manila, Philippines--Multimedia arts company Artist Playground extends its run of acclaimed dramatist Rody Vera's "Fly Me to The Moon" until this Saturday, October 28, 4 and 8 p.m., at Arts Above along West Avenue in Quezon City.

"Fly Me to The Moon," a provocative play whose fictional characters take their audience into the plights of pre-war Japanese girls and women sold into prostitution and '90s Filipino gay entertainers who were dead set to migrating to Japan to earn their keep, held its world premiere more than a decade ago in Tokyo, Japan as part of a three-year Asian collaboration project among regional artists.

This production of "Fly Me to The Moon," which has been running for the past two weekends, marks its Philippine premiere.

"'Fly Me to The Moon' is more daring and more downbeat than 'Happiness is A Pearl' [another Mr.Vera play staged by Artist Playground] was, as it dealt with brothels and deaths. The mood is persistently dark and gloomy throughout and the dim lighting design made sure we felt it. There was just a shrill panel of silly judges at an audition of gay singers that provided the only scene with laughter. There are multiple scenes that dealt with illicit and forced sex which makes this play for mature audiences only," wrote Fred Hawson on ABS CBN News.

Actor-director Paul Jake Paule directs his lead cast with a fair share of creative freedom such as the prerogative to add a few musical scenes, e.g. "I Am What I Am" from the Broadway musical "La Cage Aux Folles," that help establish the characters further, as well as their relationships with each other.

The play stars Dea Formacil and Fatima Cadiz (Karayuki), Xosh Ardio, AI Hoseki, and Aldy Cadupay (Melanie), Manu Gallardo, Jun Nayra (Captain), and Clifford Gonzales, Ar Ar Ramilo, and BJ Ocampo (Ibrahim). Most of these actors, according to artistic director Roeder Camañag, never had a chance to play any lead roles in a professional theater setting prior to this production.

In addition, Josh Adameo, Lliwel Agita, Aljean Badar, Leonardo Bania, Searl Escalona, Julia Garcia, Alleah Hugo, Vincent Macapobre, Reyn Mercado, Ariel Pan, Christopher Perez, Joyan Que, Beaulah Mae Saycon, Christian Silang, and Fernilyn Toladro are part of the ensemble.

Jesse Lucas is the musical director; Sem Pabion and Princess Tuason, dramaturges; Rowena Jarito, sound designer; Kimberly Claire Somoza, lighting designer, and Reynoso Mercardo, production designer.

For tickets to "Fly Me to The Moon," call Kimberly at (63) 975 919 3179.

Photos: Aly Mondonedo

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