On its first year Red Turnip Theater has received great reviews and has opened the doors for straight plays. Red Turnip Theater, brought us “Closer” and “Cock”, two of the most talked about plays last year. The band of five actors that make up Red Turnip (Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco and Rem Zamora) is back for its second season.
Opening the second season of Red Turnip Theater is Rabbit Hole. A 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, a Broadway hit that garnered several Tony. The story revolves around Becca and Howie, a couple who lose their four year old son to a car accident, and the grief that slowly threatens to tear them apart. Shifting between humour and heartbreak, “Rabbit Hole” explores the way people deal with loss and how this affects those closest to them; their families. Variety calls it “an intensely emotional examination of grief, laced with wit, insightfulness, compassion, and searing honesty”.
The Manila premier has film and television star Agot Isidro in the role of Becca, with theater veteran Michael Williams as her husband Howie. This production marks Agot’s return to theater after notable turns in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah”, Atlantis Productions’ “Baby” and Trumpets’ “Honk!”. Williams’ long list of credits include starring roles in “Jekyll and Hyde”, “Les Miserables” and “Man of La Mancha” for Repertory Philippines.
Agot Isidro: I’m a little nervous about going back to theater ’cause it has been seven years since my last production (Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah). But I am excited at the same time, because I know it will be a welcome and enriching break after years of TV work. I am especially on the edge about ‘Rabbit Hole’ because this is my first straight play. With musicals, there’s a certain comfort in knowing that, at some parts, I burst into song. So a straight play is all new to me. But I am looking forward to the process.
Joining Isidro and Williams are Che Ramos-Cosio (Tatlong Maria, Dogeaters) as Becca’s sister Izzy and Sheila Francisco (South Pacific, August Osage County) as their mother Nat. Dulaang UP’s Ross Pesigan (Ang Nawalang Kapatid, Titus Andronicus) rounds off the eclectic cast as Jason, the young boy responsible for the tragic loss of their son.
Michael Williams: I am very much looking forward to working with Red Turnip on their production of ‘Rabbit Hole’. It’s an amazing script and based on their previous productions, no doubt this one will also be handled with a high degree of sensitivity.
Rabbit Hole will also be Topper Fabregas directorial debut.
“Rabbit Hole” opens on August 1, 2014 and runs all weekends of August. Log on to https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater for complete show schedules. Venue will be at Whitespace, located at 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati.
Tickets are available through TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph) or Red Turnip Theater (redturniptheater@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater)
Completing the second season of Red Turnip Theater is a re-run of “Cock” by Mike Bartlett. A critical darling during its premiere last March, the original cast reunites for a limited run at Whitespace. Topper Fabregas, Niccolo Manahan, Jenny Jamora and Audie Gemora reprise their roles under Rem Zamora’s direction. “Cock”, heralded as “a triumph” and “a theatrical gem”, will run from October 3 – 5.
Capping off the season is “Time Stands Still” by Donald Margulies in February 2015. A Pulitzer Prize nominee, it tells the story of a photojournalist who is forced to return home from a war zone. She must then come to terms with her professional and personal life and her place in the world. Ana Abad Santos and Nonie Buencamino lead the cast. Rem Zamora directs.
