The moment you get seated, there is already a smile on your face and you feel a sense of excitement to watch this talked-about play CARE DIVAS from the posters you've seen and perhaps the articles you've read about them earlier. Well, get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Shai with Papa Isaac
What makes watching CARE DIVAS an interesting experience is that you will get caught offguard when the sudden turns, rise and falls come in. The funny lyrics and dance numbers get you all giggly one moment then the tragic scenes with the actors' portrayal of pain and sorrow bring you to tears on the next. Then there are unexpected scenes of hallucinations that will surprise you and make you smile again.
The vocals and chorus is one of the aspects of CARE DIVAS that stands out along with the "explosion" scene that just give you goosebumps with the realization of what just happened.
Though simplified as stage production and budget would allow, the execution of this portion was nevertheless effective in depicting such a tricky scenario. The elderly Papa Isaac was very believable in his portrayal as a fragile, old man in his last days of life. The hallucinations of Shai are stand-out scenes as well, especially hilarious with Papa Isaac's version.
Thalia with her skirt up
Ofcourse as expected, the main entertainment comes from the insults and sarcastic exchanges among the actors that only "gays" can get away with. But despite all the funnies and mockery, the message is quite clear and the play communicates this reality with equal attention as well. The concept of using transgenders to depict a sad reality is actually a double tragedy in itself, thus using this type of humor as cover to a deep tragedy within is a brilliant concept.
CARE DIVAS is a disarmingly funny and candid musical drama about five transgender Overseas Filipino Workers in Israel who work as care givers in the morning and transform into glamorous drag queen performers come night fall. While desperate to make ends meet in another country, they also struggle to search for freedom and acceptance in a foreign land.
The play's theatrical and wickedly funny text, written by award-winning playwright, Liza Magtoto cradles lovely, gentle moments that mull over the lives of the main characters: the kind and loving Chelsea, the often-sarcastic group leader Shai, the ditsy Thalia, the bubbly Kayla and the ill-tempered Jonee.
Directed by Maribel Legarda, the creative team behind the show also includes costume designer John Abul, lighting designer Jon Jon Villareal, visual artist and set designer Leo Abaya and contemporary dancer and choreographer Carlon Matobato.
Kyla
CARE DIVAS cast of theater actors are: PETA artists Melvin Lee, Vincent De Jesus, Phil Noble, Buddy Caramat, Dudz Teraña, Jason Barcial and Eric dela Cruz. Featured guest artists are: Paul Holme, Ricci Chan, Jerald Napoles, Myke Salomon, Angeli Bayani together with Miguel Hidalgo and Dominic Miclat-Janssen.
Veteran actress and Repertory Philippines' Children's Theater Artistic Director, Joy Virata joins the cast as Adara and Sara, roles formerly portrayed by PETA President, Cecilia Garrucho.
Playdates for CARE DIVAS at Greenbelt Onstage are: April 27 (8:00PM) 28 & 29 (3:00PM & 8:00PM), 2012. For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at Tel. No. 725-6244, 410-0821 or 0917-5765400, petatheater@gmail.com.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
This entry was posted on April 28, 2012 at 3:29 am and is filed under Between naughty and nice stories with tags caredivas, funny musicals, makati plays, Onstage greenbelt, PETA, repertory philippines, transgenders. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
