Tony, Grammy winner brings Broadway closer to Iloilo townmates
ILOILO CITY –
Tony and Grammy winner Jhett Dizon Tolentino brought Broadway closer to the city and province of Iloilo with a local staging of David Henry Hwang’s “M. Butterfly.”
The four-day event came to a close Sunday night at a jam-packed SM Cinema, where hundreds watching the show despite a dearth of seats.
Tolentino actually grew up here. The 42year-old producer was raised in the slums of Calumpang, a coastal village in Molo district.
“More than anything else, this is for my hometown. My fellow Ilonggos didn’t have to go to New York or Manila for this,” Tolentino said.
Despite the lack of formal theater training, Tolentino became the only Filipino to win three Tony awards and a Grammy award producing highly-ac- claimed shows in Broadway.
“I wanted to challenge and inspire Ilonggos that someone like me who grew up in Calumpang can do this,” Tolentino emphasized.
Actor and producer RS Francisco, who plays the titular role in “M. Butterfly,” recalled how Iloilo City was also the first venue for the show when it was originally staged by Dulaang of University of the Philippines (UP Diliman) in 1990.
“When I did ‘M. Butterfly’ 29 years ago, my first plane ride and my first tour was here. Iloilo has a special place in my heart,” Francisco said.
Proceeds for the Iloilo shows will benefit the Philippine Red Cross (PRC Iloilo Chapter) and Iloilo Prima Galaw Art Institute.
“M. Butterfly” will also be staged in Dumaguete, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio.