Repertory Philippines’ Theater for Young Audiences opens its fi rst production after the COVID-19 pandemic with a new version of a classic...
Repertory Philippines’ Theater for Young Audiences opens its first production after the COVID-19 pandemic with a new version of a classic fairy tale. Snow White and the Prince is a love story between these two iconic characters. Written by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, the same authors of RTYA’s very successful 2017 production Rapunzel, Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale, it is a musical comedy for the young and the young at heart and will be enjoyed by the whole family.
Above photo: Snow White and stepmother
On the eve of her birthday celebration, Snow White anticipates her first ball, and dreams of romance. She meets a charming prince at the ball but her dreams are shattered by her stepmother who is jealous of her beauty. For her protection, her loving nursemaid sends her to the forest to find the
nurse’s seven (of course) friends. Also, in the picture are a magic mirror who can never lie and, the symbol of evil, an apple.
Photo above: The mirror
The guiding principle behind all RTYA productions is that children deserve as good a theater as adults and this production strives to do just that. Joy
Virata, Director and RTYA’s Creative Director, has gathered a group of both
veteran and young actors to tell the story through simple and humorous dialogue and delightfully tuneful songs. Cara Barredo, Asst. Director and Musical Director, was charged with bringing out the best of every actor in terms of vocal quality and interpretation. Stephen Viñas, has created wonderfully interpretive musical staging and lively choreography. Everything will be enhanced by the highly imaginative and colorful costume design by Raven Ong and the art-deco set design by Kayla Teodoro augmented by a paint brush in the talented hands of brilliant set artist Adul Lasin. As in all RTYA productions, multi-awarded John Batalla (who doubles as Technical Director) will add to the magic with his lights.
Photo above: The Prince
Leading the cast are REP and RTYA regulars Carla Gueverra Laforteza and Pinky Marquez as the Queen with newcomer Julia Serad alternating. Veterans Chino Veguillas and Franco Ramos play the all-important Mirror along with newbie Sebastian Katigbak.
In the title roles are Kiara Dario, Pappel (Ashlee Factor), Jillian Ita-as and Anyah as Snow White and MC Dela Cruz, Neo Rivera, and Rapah Manalo as the Prince. Abi Sulit, Ring Antonio and Cara Barredo alternate as the Nurse. Fourteen (seven times two) actors of all heights, weights, genders, and ages (and with varying theater backgrounds), play the friends.
RTYA began in 1992 and year by year has drawn thousands of children to its productions. Its last performance before the pandemic was the popular “The Quest for the Adarna” which had over 120 performances.
Children have come from as far off places as Baguio, Pampanga, and Bulacan in the north and Batangas and Cavite in the south, as well as the schools and organizations in Metro Manila. This year RTYA, on the opening performance of Snow White and the Prince will, thanks to generous donors, play host to children from CRIBS Foundation Inc., St. Mary’s Boys and Girls Towns in Cavite, The GEESE scholars of the Union Church of Manila, two beneficiaries of the Union Church of Manila Missions and Benevolent Outreach Program, and Pag-Asa. Also expected are students from Iglesia
Filipina Independiente and San Juan Nepomuceno School Malibay. This is in connection with RTYA’s Bring a Child to the Theater efforts.
RTYA looks forward to greeting thousands of viewers, young and old, for the next four months. For parents and teachers who are familiar with our productions, they know the children will thoroughly enjoy the experience—many for the first time. They know that the children will be exposed to art (we feature different artistic themes every production), music (classical, “Broadway,” and modern), classical dance (a ballet performance on points and lively modern choreography in every production), literature (stories from classical folklore), and the ever popular “Audience Participation” where an actor interacts with the audience. And, as in all good literature, there are always lessons to be learned.
The show will run from September 16 to December 17, 2023. Tickets are available at Ticket 2 Me and Ticket World. For interested show buyers & ticket inquiries send us an email at sales@repphil.org or marketing@repphil.org or contact us at 0966 905 4013.
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