Ateneo’s theater company, Tanghalang Ateneo celebrate “Écriture Féminine l Sulat-Babae: The Women’s Season” and being the voice the university believes that the dignity and rights of every woman or each person be respected.
In its 41st season opens the premiere of Dolorosa, playwright by Peter Zaragoza Mayshle and directed by Jenny Jamora. Dolorosa revisited what happens in our past. The story is a three-act play narrating three periods in our history, the Spanish Regime, the Japanese Occupation and in the year 2003. The play brings us with the experiences of the Filipino women in the aspects of socio-political and economic factors. Dolorosa’s body and the woman who possess is presented in each act, Juliana presented the Dolorosa’s hand, Alicia in Act II presented the Dolorosa’s Body and Act III Dolorosa’s head, crown and vestment presented by Claudia set in 2003 Good Friday. Putting the statue together before the holy week procession brings doubt if the Mater Dolorosa inherited by these women are original or not? Honestly, I lost my comprehension during the first part of Act II until Pilar met her old self in the Neither.
The production used every corner of the theater. I like how they incorporate faith in the story and how they artistically presented the different faces of Mary when Pilar enters the Neither, the different images of The Virgin Mary appears, Mary Mystical Rose, Mary Star of the Sea, Mary Seat of Wisdom, Marry Mirror of Justice, and, Mary Tower of Ivory.
As observed, Dolorosa is an all-female casting aside to Mariano, played by Ron Capindig, they had another male actor, Shaun Ervin P. Ocrisma who played Elsa/Mary Tower of Ivory. However, female actor AJ Umali played the abusive male characters such as Padre Galiano/Pablo/Tasyo.
Bibeth Orteza, leads Dolorosa as Pilar, Ron Capindig as Mariano, Zoë de Ocampo Juliana/Pilar, Claudia Enriquez Elena/Claudia, Bowie Gutierrez as Victoria/Alicia. Sabrina Basilio Chedeng/Mitring. AJ Umali Padre Galliano/Pablo/Tasyo, Dani Capindig Jacinta/Mary Mystical Rose, Francesca Lois Dela Cruz Judiel/Mary Star of the Sea, Kat Dizon Bernadette/Mary Seat of Wisdom, Kim Donato Lucia/ Mary Mirror Of Justice, Shaun Ervin P. Ocrisma Elsa/Mary Tower of Ivory. Darl Anne Dominique D. Alba, Zarya Almocera, Nicole Chua, Mekaella Mendoza (Ensemble).
The artistic team is completed by production designers Ben Padero and Carlo Tabije, movement designer Jomelle Era, lighting designer D Cortezano,scoring and sound designer Arvy Dimaculangan, graphic designer Zoë de Ocampo, photographer Jojit Lorenzo, vocal and text coaches Robin Aronson and Rachael Swartz, and dramaturg and current Ateneo Creative Writing major Elise Ofilada.
Dolorosa premiere August 15-17;22-24;29-31, 2019 at The Doreen Black Box Areté, Ateneo de Manila University. They still have the last 3 runs August 29-31, 2019; Thursday and Friday Show at 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p. m. Saturday.
Visit Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo
#DolorosaTA #TA41 #ÉcritureFéminine #TheWomensSeason
