BWW Interviews: Nanding Josef Talks Tanghalang Pilipino's New Season, 7/13-3/9

Manila, Philippines, July 8, 2013--To say that Tanghalang Pilipino's (TP) artistic director Fernando "Tata Nanding" Josef is excited with TP's new theater season--its 27th--is an understatement.

TP, Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) official theater company, is looking forward to a very busy theater season (July 13-March 9). Expect last year's hit show "Ibalong's" first national tour; planned guest appearances of a world-renowned choir and mainstream entertainment actors--Eddie Garcia, Richard Gomez and Coco Martin; and a special partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Dubbed "MensaHEROES" (messengers and heroes), TP's 27th theater season is a collective effort that recognizes the strength and diversity of art forms and media from the Spanish colonial era to the present time. TP uses theater as a medium to send strong messages of heroism, bravery, moral and cultural values to audiences.

This season's set of plays targets a wide-range of audiences to help sustain the Filipino's interest in the performing arts. In Josef's interview with BroadwayWorld.com, he acknowledges the important role of tickebuyers for the sustainable theater industry development in the country.

"The audience is the most important part of theater," says Josef, who believes that the audience is the "needed voice" that can tell the effectiveness and lifespan of a theatrical production. He also points out that "hindi pa solid (theater-going public in the country), but we're getting there.

"Mahirap kunin ang attention ng audience, and pull them away from TV variety shows that give instant entertainment," adds Josef.

As part of TP's commitment to bringing culture and theater geographically closer to more Filipinos, "Ibalong," an epic dance drama inspired by the City of Legazpi's week-long, non-religious festival, will tour the Bicol region in time for the Ibalong festival. TP is also aiming to export "Ibalong" and Ryan Cayabyab's "Noli Me Tangere" abroad.

"[Global] Filipinos and the international audiences should know how unique and universal our productions are," says Josef. He points out that "Noli Me Tangere" is a good show to produce abroad because Jose Rizal, the author of the novel and the national hero of the Philippines, is known all over the world. Likewise, the Bicolano epic "Ibalong" strongly represents the country's culture and unique ethnic background. Unfortunately, while Filipino theater performers are making waves abroad, a Filipino theater group is seldom invited to international theater festivals.

To draw bigger audiences, mainstream entertainment actors Eddie Garcia, Richard Gomez and Coco Martin are being tapped to perform in the play "Mga Ama, Mga Anak," a Filipino translation of Nick Joaquin's three-act play "Fathers and Sons" based on his short story "Three Generations," co-written by Jose F. "Pete" Lacaba and National Artist Virgilio Almario, to be directed by Joel Lamangan. As of this writing, Garcia and Gomez have read the script and expressed interest in doing the play. TP still needs to hear from Martin.

Another season highlight is "San Andres B," an original Filipino opera, featuring a libretto by National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario; direction by Floy Quintos; musical direction by Chino Toledo; and performances by classical singer Clarissa Ocampo and possibly the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Off season, TP, UNICEF and the AIDS Society recently finalized a theater project proposal that aims to disseminate correct information about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Using theater as a medium, an original play and workshops about HIV/AIDS will be made available in Manila, Cebu and Davao.

TP's 27th theater season is made up of "Sandoseng Sapatos-a musical" on July 13-21 at Tanghalang Huseng Batute; "Der Kaufmann" (Merchant of Venice) on September 27-October 13 at Tanghalang Huseng Batute; "San Andres B-an opera" on November 29-December 8 at Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino; and "Mga Ama, Mga Anak" on February 21-March 9 next year at Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino.

For ticket reservations, group sales, sponsorships and special performances, call Cherry Bong Edralin (marketing manager) at (632) 832 1125 loc. 1620-1621, (632) 218 3791, (63917) 750 0107 or (63918) 959 3949 or email tpmarketing_cc@yahoo.com, cherry_edralin888@yahoo.com.