SPECIAL REUNION.
“SAKUNTALA: ANG SINGSING NG KAPALARAN” will have its final show today at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Studio 72 Black Box Theater in Quezon City.
Turning ancient into futuristic can be confusing, even terrible, but not for “Sakuntala” director Joey Ting.
“My advocacy is to enrich and propagate gems of literary works, both classical and contemporary, nearest to the hearts of Filipino theatergoers, especially the first-timers in watching a theater production,” he said.
The play is based on Art Theatre Manila’s (ATM) interpretation of the Allan Palileo-translated, seven-act Sanskrit legend from the Indian epic Mahabharata, written by poet and playwright Kalidasa.
Set in distant year 2080, the story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world after a global plague and nuclear weapons damage spare surviving ethnic tribes in the Philippines. It follows the love between Sakuntala, daughter of an unknown deity and is treasured by a peaceful community of hermits, and Dushyanta, a young king of a classified circle whose trademarks are urbanized influences.
Cast members include Gabo Tolentino and Al Angcoy as Madhavya; Rudyard Pesimo and Paul Santiago as Durvasas; Lei Ann Quinquileria, Meggy Katigbak, and Alecks Ambayec as Anusuya; Sarina Sasaki, Tina Macaraeg, and Kyrstynne Vargas as Priyamvada; Jacques Borlaza, and Ric Lorenzo as Canwa; Cristy Peredo as Gautami; Brylle Parzuelo as Samgarava; Nel Gumalog as Saradwata; Edwin Serrano and Neil Tolentino as Cumbilaca; Fritz Esase as Bharata; Anton Segismundo and RM Araneta as Heneral; Warren Grande and Tristan Bite as Sundalo; Ronnie Martinez as Pinunong Ermitanyo; and, Nikulous Aranas as Ermitanyo. (Photos by Chris Gallegos) Janno Gibbs, the original stage partner of ‘Sarap Diva’ host Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, appears as guest in today’s episode. Expect exciting throwbacks as the two reminisce their past performances. They’d even throw in a duet! Completing the reunion are ‘Jaya’ and ‘Lani’ for a riotous showdown right before Asia’s Songbird serves up her own version of Binakol for lunch. The show airs after ‘Maynila!’ on GMA TV.