Acclaimed Play 3 UPUAN Returns to Arete, Feb. 1-13

Manila, Philippines—Starring JC Santos, Jojit Lorenzo, and Martha Comia, the acclaimed play “3 Upuan,” written and directed by Guelan Varela-Luarca, returns to Areté for a limited run in February 2025.

Interestingly, the trio of actors are the play’s co-producers under their newly formed theater company, Scene Change (Sc.).

In “3 Upuan,” three siblings, Jers (Lorenzo), Jack (Santos), and Jai (Comia), reunite and grapple with the death of a loved one.  Seated on three chairs, the actors perform in an intimate space, this time at the Areté ‘s Joselito & Olivia Campos Teaching Laboratory, JJ Atencio Innovation Link.

“We’re still keeping the shows very intimate with super limited seating,” said writer-director Luarca in a statement.

Joining its creative team are D Cortezano, lighting, and technical director; Giancarlo Abrahan, film and theater writer, director, and producer; Teia Contreras, assistant director, and video projection designer; Anya and Katriel Garcia, movement directors; Julia Vaila, sound designer; and Nyssa Bianzon, technical director.

Monty Uy handles stage management.

Only 60 tickets, starting at P1,200, are allocated per performance.

“3 Upuan” is presented in partnership with Areté, a new member of the Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group (PHILSTAGE), an alliance of professional theater companies, mainly based in the National Capital Region.

Performance schedule:

Feb 1, 3 p.m. | 8 p.m.; Feb 4, 8 p.m.; Feb 6, 8 p.m.; Feb 8, 3 p.m. | 8 p.m.

Feb 9, 3 p.m. | 8p.m.; Feb 11, 8 p.m.; Feb 13, 8 p.m.