To close its 20th Theater Season and in celebration of the 2007 National Arts Month, Tanghalang Pilipinostages the world premiere of the adaptation of F. Sionil Jose's first novel, Ang Mga Huwad (The Pretenders).
This masterpiece of the National Artist for Literature and 1980 recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Award offers a glimpse of the lavish world of high society during the ‘50s in Manila. The Pretenders tells of an intellectual who rises from his peasant beginnings, obtains a doctorate from Harvard, marries into a rich family, and belatedly realizes that behind the pristine luxury of glitz and glamour awaits the seductive monster of greed.
The Pretenders, set in the years after World War II, tells the story of Antonio Samson (Romnick Sarmenta). Tony travels to the U.S., leaving behind his cousin Emy (Airem Cacdac), who is pregnant with his son. There, he meets Carmen Villa (Kalila Aguilos), the daughter of a rich mestizo industrialist, Don Manuel (Chicqui Xerez-Burgos).
When Tony returns to the Philippines, engaged to Carmen, Don Manuel proceeds to show Tony how easy it is to buy people. Tony barely protests: he accepts a position with the Villas and goes along with shady business plans. Don Manuel proves his point when he shows Tony an encashed check made out to a magazine journalist whom Tony regards as a man of integrity.
F. Sionil Jose's novel written more than forty years ago is adapted for the stage by Rody Vera and is directed by Chris Millado.
Tanghalang Pilipino's play hopes to portray the spectrum of class society during the late ‘50s in Manila as a mirror to contemporary hypocrisy and corruption in our midst today. A tale of lost ideals, compromise and corruption, this dark panoramic vision of the Philippines powerfully drives its message home: a society intent only on calculating a man's price is one that ultimately devalues all men.
For inquiries, call 832-3661 or 832-1125 locals 1620/1621.
Performances:
February 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 2007 8:00 PM
February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 2007 3:00 PM
Venue: Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino(CCP Little Theater)