Reframing fairytale twists and turns

Theatre Group Asia adapts Into the Woods for PHL audience

- Brontë H. Lacsamana

THE FIRST production of Theatre Group Asia (TGA) is a local interpretation of a beloved Broadway musical, Into the Woods, boasting a star-studded cast of Filipino talent based here and abroad.

Set to run from Aug. 7 to 31 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati, the musical is faithful to the 1986 material by Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (book). However, its cast as well as its incorporation of Filipino myth-making and perspectives will make it “a little bit different.”

“We want to show the multiplicity of what it means to be Filipino. How do we curate content that not only serves the Filipino theater-going community but opens up the definition of theater to new generations?” said TGA artistic director Clint Ramos, at a press conference in Makati on July 31.

The 24-show run of Into the Woods follows a project staged by TGA producers last year, Request sa Radyo, a wordless play that was also distinctly Filipino.

Mr. Ramos added that Into the Woods reflects their focus on “the exchange of ideas between folks here and also the global Filipino — and how we can create world-class theater together.

“We want to put up a production that actually considers the Filipino condition,” he said.

Helming the musical are theater director Chari Arespacochaga, who is also a theater educator at Florida State University, and music director and conductor Gerard Salonga, who will be leading the full 19-piece Filharmonika Orchestra. Filling out the main creative team are set designer Ohm David, costume designer Raven Ong, lighting designer Cha See, and sound designer Megumi Katayama.