Repertory Philippines Celebrates Golden Year in 2017
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The excitement gets even more palpable as the country’s premier theater company, Repertory Philippines – fondly known as REP – celebrates its Golden year in the grandest way one can ever imagine.
Mindy Perez-Rubio
“REP has always been dedicated to bringing the best of Broadway and the West End here in our own shores,” says President and CEO, Mindy Perez-Rubio. “REP is where it all began. In the past 50 years, we have led in helping shape the landscape of theater in the Philippines, and in the process, proven that Filipinos are indeed world-class talents.”
As the home of many internationally recognized performers who have gone on to grace prestigious stages around the world, including luminaries such as Lea Salonga and Monique Wilson, or mover and shaker Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, REP has left an indelible mark in the industry, and continues to make theater relevant and relatable to the modern audience.
Lea Salonga and Jamie Fabregas in Annie in 1984
And it’s not just actors, REP was and is the home for highly acclaimed directors, writers, set designers, costume designers and so much more. Mindy also adds, “Many theater stalwarts who came from REP have had success in and out of the country and we are truly proud of them.”
Tonipet Gaba and Ana Abad Santos-Bing played Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town in 2001
Through all its efforts in building a solid foundation for theater in the Philippines, REP is rewarded by having a place in the minds and hearts of the many people it has inspired – not just those who worked or trained with the company but also other institutions, individuals and audiences whose lives were touched in one way or another by its performances.
The cast of Repertory Philippines in its 1991 production of Fiddler on the Roof
“You who have been part of REP may have gone on to spread your passion and talent to other companies, different countries and areas of performance, but at heart, you will always be a Repper,” says Mindy. “And that Repper is whom we want to welcome home for our 50th anniversary. All of the people who have been part of REP’s story and have helped REP become what it is now and what it will be for years to come.” Mindy continues, “We want to welcome you back to where it all started. On our 50th year, let’s all Come Home to REP.”
Michael Williams and Pinky Amador starred as Romeo and Juliet in Oh Romeo in 2005
The Golden anniversary is also the perfect time to bring in something new. REP is proudly presenting its brand new logo, which carries the iconic elements of the previous but reimagined with a more modern and sleeker design. It is an authentic expression of how REP is evolving with the times, and knows how to reach out to the new generation who will help continue and build on what the company has already accomplished.
new logo unveiled
“Our new logo has our nickname on it. REP is what most people fondly call Repertory Philippines. A catchy name, relatable and easy to remember, and a name we want more people to call us by,” Mindy shares. “This logo also represents the new members of our team joining our already brilliant roster of veterans; and our continuing search for new talent who will continue our legacy.”
All Reppers and Reppers at heart are invited to come home to REP by joining in the celebration, especially since the 2017 season is filled with spectacular shows. Everyone can look forward to June 2017 which marks a historic event that only happens once every 50 years. All the brightest stars of REP are set to commemorate its golden anniversary in a magnificent gala musical extravaganza at Solaire only for one special night.
But before entering the 50th year, REP is closing the curtains on the successful 2016 season with its year-end musical production of A Little Princess directed by Dexter Santos (also the Artistic Director of Dulaang UP). This well-loved musical written by Brian Crawley with music by Andrew Lippa is sure to delight the young and young at heart from November 18 to December 18.
Mindy concludes, “2017 is the year that we connect to our heritage and go back to our roots – so to speak. So wherever you are and wherever you may be, you can always come home to REP.”
For updates and show schedules, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, like repertoryphilippines on Facebook, and follow @repphils on Instagram and Twitter.
