REP at 50 was a Magical Moment at Solaire

              The grand musical gala which celebrated its milestone golden year, REP: 50 Years of Telling Stories culled Repertory Philippines’ or REP’s current roster of talents and acclaimed alumni to narrate the theater company’s story – from its beginnings, to its continuing efforts of nurturing the next generation of performing greats.

            “REP: 50 Years of Telling Stories encompasses all aspects of theater from the narration, music, choreography, producers, performers, comedians, set designers, and directors,” said President and CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio. “It took a team of almost one hundred people to mount this production featuring seven segments with different directors.”

            The show is one grand story told through song, dance and visuals with musical numbers from past REP productions such as A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Carousel, Camp Rock, Pippin, Annie, Sound of Music, Jekyll and Hyde, Seussical, and Les Miserables.

            It opened with a tribute to Zeneida “Bibot” Amador and honored all the REP founders who built the company with that number. It then transitioned to the tradition of telling stories that are universal and appealing for every Filipino through its choreographers, dancers, and actors.

            The work of unsung heroes like production managers, stage managers and the like were showcased in a number which gave the audience members a taste of what it’s like to work behind the scenes.  Another highlight was the telling of stories that educated young theater-goers through Repertory for Young Audiences.

            A fitting showcase brought the gala to a close, with the young and upcoming Reppers taking over the center stage as the veterans handed the baton to the new guards of Philippine Theater.

            This one-night only musical fittingly celebrated REP’s five decades of developing Filipino talents and staging excellent productions from Broadway and the West End. Bart Guingona served as overall director and collaborated with segment directors Jaime del Mundo, Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Raymond Lauchengco, Freddie Santos, and Michael Williams as well as musical director Ejay Yatco and writer Luna Griño-Inocian.

            Theater luminaries and stars included REP co-founder Baby Barredo, REP Artistic Director Joy Virata, Monique Wilson, Franco Laurel, Sheila Francisco, Morisette Amon, Pinky Amador, Mitch Valdes, Ayam Barredo-Eckstein, Cara Barredo, Leo Martinez, Cocoy Laurel, EJ Villacorta, and many more gathered to #ComeHometoREP.