Care Divas (ang Fagvavalik) & Defending The Caveman
PETA'S Care Divas: May 7 / Sat / 3pm @ PETA
This schedule is a fund raiser for the PGH-Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Tickets Prices: P1000, P700 and P500.
Contact Mr. Buddy Camarat @ 0917.792.5901
or email buddy_caramat@manulife.com.ph
Defending The Caveman: May 7 / Sat / 8 pm @ RCBC
Tickets Prices: P1200, P1000, P600, P500 and P300
Contact Bel Pacheco @ 0915.621.6512
*Recommended for adult audiences only. Show is Rated 18 (R-18)*
CARE DIVAS
(Original Article from JELLICLEBLOG.COM)
It all started with an award-winning documentary. Who would have thought that Taylor Heymann’s 2005 video documentation of five Pinoy Caregivers in Israel will make it to the PETA stage six years after?
Well, Palanca Award-Winner Liza Magtoto (Despedida de Soltera, Agnoia and Rated: PG) and multi-award winner Vincent de Jesus (Himala the Musical, Zsazsa Zaturnnah ze Muzikal, and Manay Po), thought about this some years ago and went to a marriage of thoughts to bring to the Filipino audience an Israeli documentary that was once banned here in the Philippines.
The story revolves around five Pinoy gay Caregivers in Israel. Shai (Vince de Jesus) has been working non-stop as a caregiver and sometimes a masseur just so he could send money back to the Philippines. Despite the physical distance, his mother’s voice consistently reminds him of his responsibilities, insecurities and immorality. Likewise, Kayla (Ricci Chan/Jerald Napoles) has also been working non-stop, but hadn’t had chanced the luck to find the perfect employer. Despite his education he has accepted other domestic tasks apart from caregiving just to augment his need for a job and temporary security from deportation. Chelsea (Melvin Lee), on the other hand, has it all. A stable job, a lovable employer and a dashing boyfriend. His elderly is kind, giving and understanding. Despite the subtle mocking Chelsea would receive from his ward every once in a while, he was his symbol for an absent father. Thalia (Jason Barcial/Dudz Terana) and Jonee (Buddy Caramat/Phil Noble) are also part of the group. One a flirt, and the other a pessimist. Together, they formed a group that performs nightly in small time joints, until they got a possible break to perform in a more exclusive bar – The Tel ‘a Viv. Will they continue on doing what they do, or will their personal challenges hinder their search for identity and ambitions?
Apologies: this was my first PETA play (evah). But oh! it was a treat! The entire ensemble projected the needed energy to complete and stage a comedy musical. Melvin Lee (Sayaw Sabel, Skin Deep) as Chelsea was jumpy, indefatigable, and delightful. His portrayal of a symbol for optimism in a strange culture is enough to keep your hopes high. Vince de Jesus as Shai was a performance to treasure. He doesn’t act. He lives. He engages the audiences through natural movements and expressionless, yet effective humor. Award-winning stage actor and singer Ricci Chan (Zsazsa Zaturnnah ze Muzical, Rent, Temptation Island) as Kayla was still as superb as his other theatrical performances. Indeed, one can set high expectations from him when you see his name and photo in a souvenir before a show. His subtle nuances, and automatic wit were so powerful, you’d laugh out loud without you knowing it.
On the other hand, Jerald Napoles‘ Kayla (Chan’s alternate) was near perfection! Despite the fact that he was the only straight actor in the entire main cast, his portrayal of a gay underdog was enough to make me laugh at the start, and cry at the end of Act of 1. He may not have Chan’s voice, but he surely has the talent to add dimension to a relatively complex character. Dudz Terana (Si Juan Tamad Ang Diyablo at and Limang Milyong Boto) as Thalia was hilarious, sexual and a scream. His minor projections for a snicker were subtle, yet can still command a crowd to laugh hysterically. Buddy Caramat (Noli at Fili Dos Mil, Ikaw ang Pag-ibig) deliciously created the Jonee character. His juicy portrayal of pessimism was ambitious, however, falls short in terms of the needed energy I was expecting. However, Phil Noble (Si Juan Tamad Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto: director) created the same role in some of the performances, and must say that he creatively projected the required negativism in the story. His matured portrayal of a character on a losing end was so convincing, I even saw myself.
The rest of the ensemble equalled the main actors’ theatrical spirits. Paul Holme convincingly changed characters and projected energies required of a current role. AKAfellas’ Myke Salomon as Daniel/Faraj, was delicious, hot, and convincingly sexual. His singing voice was that of our typical Prince Charming and his performance was superb, you’d think of Gene Kelly and Simon Bowman at the same time...
Caredivas is not a story of epic proportions with a cast of thousands. There are no Sarah Balabagans here, nor Flor Contemplacions. There may be a hair-raising scene prior to the end of Act 1, but that’s it. In Caredivas, it is the Filipino culture that is being tried and persecuted abroad. The musical extemporizes how despite the worrisome pains, the Filipino still manage to pull that smile, and find ways on how to stay happy – and surviving.
Story-wise it is happy musical with the purpose to make the audience laugh, cry and learn. The characters may be gay, ambitious, flirtatious and queer, but the plot’s undertones deliver a far deeper and bigger outcry – that culture can be damaging to identity, and that lack of tolerance may be another’s misfortune.
DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN: THE REPEAT
"I laughed so hard my sides ached and tears ran down my face!"
"The show is so funny and so true!"
"What a hilarious and insightful show!"
"This play can save marriages" I'm not kidding!"
These are just some of the comments overheard last February 2010 at the Insular Life Theater in Alabang, where audiences had just seen local theater veteran Joel Trinidad perform in "Defending the Caveman," the longest-running one-man comedy show in Broadway history, which has sold over 8 million tickets worldwide in 16 different languages.
Why is this show such a hit everywhere in the world? Well, is there a more widely discussed subject than the difference between men and women? There are hundreds of books written on the subject but nevertheless there are few texts which address this eternal discussion point as humorous and as recognizable as the monologue "Caveman". Defending the Caveman shows in a hilarious, clear, and familiar way how different men and women are. Whatever the nationality is, both men and women will identify themselves clearly in the show's message.
Defending The Caveman was greeted upon its Philippine premiere with uncontrollable laughter, knowing nods of agreement, and a resounding standing ovation! Three months later, Defending The Caveman played to another appreciative SRO crowd, this time in Makati.
And now, to satisfy the requests for a repeat engagement and after a yearlong wait, "Defending the Caveman" returns on May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21 for a very limited engagement.
Joel Trinidad reprises his role as the Caveman. Michael Williams and Cathy Azanza-Dy direct. "Defending the Caveman" is brought to you by CTE Productions and Theater Mogul in cooperation with BusinessWorld, HerWord.com, San Miguel 632-BEER (2337) Home Delivery Service, and www.TheMillionaireSocietyNow.com (online millionaires helping you become one too).
Venue: Carlos P Romulo Auditorium, 4th Floor, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue cor Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
