Cross-dressing comedy is Rep's next play (Philippines)

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MANILA, Philippines -- After the well-received family drama “Next Fall,” Repertory Philippines’ next production is the cross-dressing comedy “Leading Ladies,” which opens on Friday, February 10.

Written by Ken Ludwig, who wrote the Tony-winning musical “Crazy For You” and “Lend Me A Tenor,” “Leading Ladies” is about two British actors whose careers are on the skids. When they hear about an old rich lady who’s about to die, they decide to impersonate her long-lost nieces.  

Image Credit: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

James Stacey and Topper Fabregas play the cross-dressing con artists, while the supporting cast includes Cris Villonco, Giannina Ocampo, Jamie Wilson, Juno Henares, Hans Eckstein and Oliver Usison.

According to the play’s director Michael Williams, cross-dressing has been a staple in comedies.

“It goes all the way back as far as Shakespeare’s time when only men were allowed to perform on stage. Cross-dressing in this day and age is not as uncommon anymore – but in our production, the characters that do it are the most unlikely candidates and are really bad at it,” he said. 

To help the actors in their performance, Williams said he suggested some movies for the Stacey and Fabregas to watch.

“And, of course, we have a lively discussion about the work at hand while we are at rehearsals,” Williams said. “We discuss everything about character, and blocking quite openly. This way everyone know what each actor is trying to achieve and in this way we achieve that ensemble play.”

Williams could also tell them of his own experiences with cross-dressing.

“The cross-dressing scenes remind me of when I played in ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ and ‘Forty Carats.’ The basic kernel of the characters is similar but, of course, the situation in this play is different and provides different opportunities for social commentary and, of course, comedy,” he said.

Although it’s only February, this has been a very busy time for Williams.

Apart from “Leading Ladies,” he is also directing the musical, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” for 9 Works Theatrical and is also rehearsing for Repertory’s next production, the musical “Jekyll and Hyde.”

“I am also supervising my own theater company Theater Down South’s production of ‘The Princess And The Red Carp,’ which is an original work based on the true story of Cinderella,” he said.

"Leading Ladies" runs from February 10 to March 4, 2012 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. 

source: ABS-CBN News