AIMING to make the public more theater-inclined, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Committee for Dramatic Arts, will hold Ikatlong Tagpo: The 2004 National Theater Festival on Nov. 7 to 20 at the CCP.
Ikatlong Tagpo (Third Scene) will feature more than 35 presentations—new works as well as revivals, lecture series, workshops, exhibits, publications, and other related activities.
As an opening salvo, CCP organized a press conference for student publication writers last Sept. 29 to publicize the event and to “reintroduce” musical theater to the public, especially to the youth.
Actor Garry Lim, who appeared in the Tanghalang Filipino’s Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon, hosted the press conference. He guided a tour of the CCP including a visit to the Tanghalang Huseng Batute audience area and a behind-the-scenes preview of the forthcoming play Himala.
Veteran theater artist Fernando “Tata Nanding” Josef, then Director of the CCP Coordinating Center for Dramatic Arts, established the National Theater Festival in 1990 to showcase the works of various dramatic troupes across the country.
The First National Theater Festival, Unang Tagpo ’92, brought together the best repertory companies and individual talents around the country. With a promise to preserve, enrich, and deepen traditional art forms, the festival strengthened the ties between artistic groups and the community, and invigorated children’s theater and work towards its inclusion in the school curriculum.
This year, the festival promises to be as grand as ever under the direction of Chris Millado. Highlights include Philippine musical theate: musical revues, children’s musicals, opera, late night cabaret, and other events showcasing great performers, composers, writers, designers, producers, and scholars in musical theater.
Ikatlong Tagpo will kick off with an open house on Nov. 7 at the CCP. Aptly called Pasinaya, the festival open house will offer sneak previews of over 35 festival productions. The public is invited to “see all you can” on a first come, first served basis. Gala events include: Tian Jin Children’s Peking Opera Troupe on Nov. 6 and 7; The Vienna Boys Choir back-to-back with the Loboc Children’s Choir on Nov. 9; Gilas! Pagdiriwang ng Opera Filipina (Excellence! Philippine Opera Gala) on Nov. 10; Buhay! Mga Himig at Awit ng Dulaang Filipino (Alive! Melodies and Songs from Philippine Theater) on Nov. 12 and 13; Hanas! Natatanging Tagpo Mula sa Musikangbayan (Virtuosity! Highlights from People’s Musicals) to be staged on Nov. 14; and the Philippine Ballet Theatre’s Isang Bagong Bituin on Nov. 18.
Ikatlong Tagpo also offers Tanghalang Bulilit, an array of children’s musicals, Festival Premieres in Tanghal, cabaret performances in Huling Hirit: Late Nite Cabaret, sing-throughs of works in progress in Panday Awit, launchings of new CDs, VCDs, and books in Hayag, exhibits and tours in Yaman: Musical Heritage, film screenings of musicals and opera on film, dialogue and interaction with musical theater artists in Huntahan: Conversations with Music Theater Artists, caucuses and international meetings in Pulong.
This grand affair is for all who want to be touched by the magic of musical theater. Not only does it promote the cultural arts in music and theater, it also resonates with a didactic purpose beneficial for the youth.
For schedules and more information, call the CCP Performing Arts Department at Tel. No. 832-1125 local 1606-1607 and CCP Marketing at Tel. Nos. 832-1125 local 1800-1806, 832-3681, 832-3878 and 551-7930, or visit the Festival website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph/ntf. Anne Nerissa C. Alina
