Repertory Philippines stages “NEXT FALL”

Reposting the media release here.

Saw this on Broadway last May and really enjoyed it. I believe it was staged in the theater where Seminar with Alan Rickman is now playing.

I’m excited to see Bart Guingona’s return to the stage. I last saw him churn out his tour de force performance in Tuesdays with Morrie opposite the late great Jose Mari Avellana. That show was one of REP’s best works to date.

David Bianco, who plays his lover in the show, was in Word of Mouth’s Picasso at the Lapine Agile. Another great show - probably not as poignant as Tuesdays but wittily written by Steve Martin nevertheless.

How the actors will play off each other is something to look forward to - especially since the actors who played it on Broadway, including the guy from Gossip Girl, did it so effortlessly well. Audie Gemora directs.

NEXT FALL, A COMEDY ABOUT LOVE, FAITH AND FAMILY SET TO OPEN ON JANUARY 13

After producing more than 900 plays and musicals through 74 seasons, Repertory Philippines proudly ushers its 45th year this 2012 with its first production titled “ Next Fall ”.

Written by playwright Geoffrey Nauffts, “ Next Fall ” is a very moving story of Luke and Adam, a gay couple agonizing over differences in their religious faiths. The play portrays the ups and downs of this unlikely couple’s five-year relationship with sharp humor and unflinching honesty. And when an accident changes everything, Adam must turn to Luke’s family and friends for support and answers.

” Next Fall ” paints a beautiful and funny portrait of modern romance, asking the hard questions about commitment and faith. But ultimately, simply, it is about the transformative power of love.

The play takes place between 2000 and 2005 in New York City. The present narrative takes place in a hospital waiting room where Adam, Brandon, Holly and Luke’s parents have gathered after he is hit by a runaway cab. Interspersed with these chronological scenes are flashback scenes showing how Luke and Adam met, fell in love and constructed a life together with the final flashback occurring the day before Luke’s accident.

The powerhouse cast will feature noted theater thespian Bart Guingona as Adam, a committed cynic, atheist and hypochondriac. As an actor he has essayed roles as varied as Oedipus, Hamlet, Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie), Charlie Brown. As a director, he is known for his eclectic selection of material: everything from the classics (Shakespeare) to the contemporary (Rabe’s Hurlyburly).

David Bianco will play the role of Luke, Adam’s boyfriend, a born- again Christian and aspiring actor. David hails from Michigan and this is his first foray in the local theatre scene.

Liesl Batucan will essay the role of Holly, Adam’s fag hag best friend and owner of the candle shop where both Adam and Luke work. Niccolo Manahan plays Brandon, Luke’s friend, a property manager. Like Luke he is both gay and a born-again Christian. Juno Henares plays Arlene, Luke’s mother, a former wild child who has since settled in to middle aged eccentricity. Miguel Faustmann shall play the role of Butch, Luke’s father and Arlene’s ex-husband, a deeply religious man.

Veteran actor / director Audie Gemora will direct the play.

“ Next Fall ” is bound to be the funniest heartbreaker in town !!!! It embodies something theatergoers have been sorely missing, perhaps without knowing it, for years.

Co-presented by the City of Makati, Enderun Colleges and Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa “ Next Fall ” shall run from JANUARY 13 – FEBRUARY 5, 2012 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. All performances are at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.

For tickets, inquiries and other information, call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926 or 571-4941 or email info@repertory.ph. Tickets are also available thru Ticketworld at 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph.