Anna Ziegler’s ‘Boy’ to Be Staged by Mad Child This November
In its third season, Mad Child Productions has staged stories led by young directors exploring complicated journeys of self-discovery. First was the staged reading of Emmanuelle Mattana’s Trophy Boys, directed by Jillian Ita-as, followed by Guelan Varela-Luarca’s Mga Binago ng Araw, directed by Monty Uy.
For its season finale, the company is set to stage Anna Ziegler’s Boy this November.
The play was previously staged in the Philippines by Tanghalang Ateneo in 2016, directed by Ed Lacson Jr. and starring Cholo Ledesma in the titular role. Ledesma now returns to the material as director, revisiting and reframing the complex issues the play brings to light.
Set beginning in the 1960s, Boy follows Adam, who is biologically male but is raised as a girl after a doctor convinces his parents to do so following an accident. Two decades later, as the repercussions of that decision continue to unfold, Adam experiences love while grappling with questions surrounding his gender identity. The play is loosely based on the real-life story of David Reimer, whose case became widely cited in discussions surrounding gender identity and the nature-versus-nurture debate.
Zoë de Ocampo (Trophy Boys, Patintero sa Ayala Avenue) stars as Adam, with Topper Fabregas (Ang Huling El Bimbo, Bar Boys) as Dr. Wendell Barnes. They are joined by Jam Binay (Mga Binago ng Araw, Next to Normal) as Jenny, Toni Go-Yadao (Kisapmata, Ang Pag-uusig) as Trudy, and Marvin Ong (Side Show, Man of La Mancha) as Doug.
The production is directed by Ledesma, with Rafael Jimenez (Patintero sa Ayala Avenue, Breakup Play or Baucis and Filemon) as assistant director and Sabrina Basilio (Gregoria Lakambini, Balete) as dramaturg. The creative team also includes Julio Garcia (Bar Boys, Man of La Mancha) as set designer, Jethro Nibaten (Quomodo Desolota Es?, Si Faust) as lighting designer, Sage Ilagan (Paano Man Ang Ibig) as sound designer and composer, Paul Martinez (Art, The Notebook) as costume designer, and Lesley Cao as projection designer.
Boy will run from November 27 to December 6 at the 5/F Mirror Theater Studio in Makati City. Performances are scheduled for November 27 and 28 at 8 PM; November 29 at 3 PM and 8 PM; December 4 and 5 at 8 PM; and December 6 at 3 PM and 8 PM.
Limited early bird tickets are priced at ₱1,300 and are available vaia the group’s Google Form. Once early bird tickets are sold out, regular tickets will be priced at ₱1,500. Blind Box Pass holders have also been sent instructions via email on how to claim their tickets.
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