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Repertory Philippines Sing The Ups and Downs of Post-Pandemic Parenting

by Kevyn Gohu
October 5, 2022

Repertory Philippines brings to life Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel with post-modern elements.

Parenting is a story of many ups and downs, just like Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel. After two years of putting the stage on hiatus, Director and Pangasinan representative Toff De Venecia and Repertory Philippines unveil a new Carousel. “The 2022 Carousel is radically different from the 2020 version. There were a lot of economic considerations that influenced our artistic decision such as keeping the cast to 14. But what makes it different is that Carousel is going to have a lot of post-pandemic material that will be a layer on the text. We’re going to bring all that in to pay tribute.”

Addressing the “landmines” and the four powerhouses to perform them

Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel, according to De Venecia, calls views on misogyny, violence, romanticism, grandiosity, and the need for social justice “landmines” that he wishes to address. “They’re all sort of in the text of the show and it’s easy to gloss over them with the orchestra and the music.”

And to manifest Carousel into reality, Repertory Philippines brings in four powerhouses to perform the leading parts: Gian Magdangal as Billy Bigolo, Ana Karylle Tatlonghari as Julie Jordan, Mikkie Bradshaw as Carrie Pipperidge, and Lorenz Martinez as Enoch Snow.

An Intended and Purposeful Performance at the CCP

Repertory Philippines not only performs Carousel to celebrate the return of theatre but also their receiving a grant to use the Blackbox theatre of CCP: the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. “We were so blessed that we were able to get a generous venue grant for it,” shares Artistic Director Liesel Batucan-del Rosario. “It is a big moment because after two years of shutdown for live productions, we are back. We are back.”

Repertory Philippines will not just be performing Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel with the usual 24-30 piece orchestra arrangement. They will also be performing the show with a two piano concerto on November 26, 2022. Tickets are currently available in SM Tickets, Ticketworld, and the CCP Box Office. Feel free to contact them through their email at [email protected] if you have more questions regarding tickets.