Hehehe...no Dan, my private jet wisked me safely to and from the
play. The delay is only due to the fact that I was wisked from my
private jet to a commercial jet that then carried me off to
Mexico....just got back! OK...enough delay....my review....

In today's society we have become so drawn into the "Bigger is
Better" mentality that entertainment has too often become a showcase
of pyrotechnics, special effects, computerized imagery, and a
bombardment of other sensory stimuli that can often drown out the
pure essence and heart of the performance. The "pure essence" I refer
to is the "story"...the meaning behind the performance. The "heart"
lies in the performers...the life that they bring to their
characters. When entertainment focuses on the sensory perceptions of
the audience by focusing on the big explosions, creative imagery, and
dramatic scenery we can often loose sight of where we are going and
who we are following. I loved this play for its pure essence and
heart.

We are presented with a simple story of a big-hearted Filipino
immigrant worker developing an emotional bond and commitment to a
woman he has yet to meet. His companions view this emotional
involvement with various levels of support, concern, and sarcasm and
yet his devotion remains unwavering. Ultimately his devotion is
proved to be spent on the undeserving and yet his heart remains in
tact as he continues to look on life as glorious. Throughout the
presentation of the story the daily struggles and adversities that
faced the Filipino immigrant farm worker of the time are portrayed,
yet the audience is not assaulted by an over-bearing harshness. It
was a miserable existense, full of hardships and abuse, and yet we
are shown that it was LIFE... and one can always find hope and dreams
if one is willing to look inside one's own heart.

This play was so wonderful because the story was all-important. There
were no major special effects, no amazing imagery, not even an
orchestra. The stage was washed in a sepia glow that provided the
appropriate historical note and the set was sparce representing the
very meager shelter provided to the immigrant worker. There were no
major set changes to distract the audience's attention away from the
performers and their story. All attention was focused on the five men
on the stage and what they had to share with us. The ability of the
audience to relate to and "feel" the story relied solely on the
talents and "heart" of these five men.

To separate out each performer to give them individualized credit
would be unjust. They were truly a unit. Feeding off of each others
performances to give more credit and life to their own characters.
Their performances showed that the bonds between these five made them
more than fellow workers, they were a family. From the supportive but
concerned Nick (nurturing motherly role) who gently cautioned and yet
couldn't help himself but assist his friend in corresponding with his
lady love. To the sarcastic and sometimes harsh Claro (the brother
of "reality" to Magno's "idealism"). We grow to appreciate how each
has helped to strengthen Magno through his trails and tribulations,
helping his heart to continue to hope and dream and yet also
strengthening and preparing it for the time when it needs to be
strong. The talents of these five men draw us into the characters and
make us want to follow them on their journey. We want to know of
their lives and their experiences. We want to see them succeed and be
happy. We FEEL for them. We feel part of their family...part of their
lives. They provided the heart to the story by reaching out and
touching our hearts.

I would like to thank everyone involved in this play for creating
such a wonderful production and sharing with me such a heart-touching
story.

One last side note...it was also rewarding to be introduced to
additional aspects of Filipino culture through this play. The play
used a form of rhyming verbal joust representative of a Filipino
literary tradition called Balagtasan. The performers also used
Eskrima or Arnis sticks throughout the play. Within the play they
used them in the fields as farm implements and even improvised to use
them as musical instruments but their traditional use was as weapons
in Philippine Martial Arts.

epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@...> wrote:
>
> ...And I will pass on good wishes to Paolo from his websites loyal
fans.
>
> Diana
>
>
> Diana -- did you make it to the show? Don't tell me your private
jet
> broke down again? :)
>
> d.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, thea na <thea12173@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Diana!
> > >
> > > Go friend go! Try your best to be there... hehe... do I sound
> > like an elder? Oh well, just like the others, I'm also excited
about
> > this play but wouldn't be able to see it. In any case, we'll wait
for
> > your review next week... oh and if you get to talk to the MAN...
> > Paolo, give him our regards!!! :)
> > >
> > > Thea
> > >
> > > sheiswater <sheiswater@> wrote:
> > > Hi Paolo,
> > >
> > > Thank you for sharing your personal insights into the play. And
> > your
> > > final word...Come! With an exclaimation point no less. Hmmmm,
can I
> > > refuse a direct order like that? Not likely. Possibly
Sunday...no
> > > guarantees just yet. And Dan and Fel, I promise to fill you in
on
> > the
> > > performance if I do make it.
> > >
> > > Diana
> > >
> > > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Dear Family and Friends,
> > > >
> > > > Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever
seen
> > > > before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm
currently
> > > > in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast
based
> > on
> > > > the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride,
hope,
> > > and
> > > > love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be
Filipino
> > to
> > > > enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want
to
> > > share
> > > > with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th.
(We
> > > run
> > > > till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links
to
> > buy
> > > > tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally
tix
> > are
> > > > $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture
> > > Project
> > > > 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
> > > >
> > > > Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave
reviews
> > in
> > > > the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love_
> > > > laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> > > > http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?
> > categoryid=1265&cs=1
> > > >
> > > > Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6
stars!)
> > > >
> > > > I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is
the
> > > most
> > > > lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see
on a
> > NY
> > > > stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your
spirit.
> > > Come!
> > > >
> > > > To Our Best,
> > > >
> > > > Paolo
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels
with
> > Yahoo! FareChase.
> > >
> >
>

Wow, Diana. I'm almost beside myself after reading your review. That
was very well written. Do you do this for a living? If not, you
should lol. ;) Thanks for sharing that with us.

~Fel

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "sheiswater" <sheiswater@...> wrote:
>
> Hehehe...no Dan, my private jet wisked me safely to and from the
> play. The delay is only due to the fact that I was wisked from my
> private jet to a commercial jet that then carried me off to
> Mexico....just got back! OK...enough delay....my review....
>
> In today's society we have become so drawn into the "Bigger is
> Better" mentality that entertainment has too often become a
showcase
> of pyrotechnics, special effects, computerized imagery, and a
> bombardment of other sensory stimuli that can often drown out the
> pure essence and heart of the performance. The "pure essence" I
refer
> to is the "story"...the meaning behind the performance.
The "heart"
> lies in the performers...the life that they bring to their
> characters. When entertainment focuses on the sensory perceptions
of
> the audience by focusing on the big explosions, creative imagery,
and
> dramatic scenery we can often loose sight of where we are going
and
> who we are following. I loved this play for its pure essence and
> heart.
>
> We are presented with a simple story of a big-hearted Filipino
> immigrant worker developing an emotional bond and commitment to a
> woman he has yet to meet. His companions view this emotional
> involvement with various levels of support, concern, and sarcasm
and
> yet his devotion remains unwavering.  Ultimately his devotion is
> proved to be spent on the undeserving and yet his heart remains in
> tact as he continues to look on life as glorious. Throughout the
> presentation of the story the daily struggles and adversities that
> faced the Filipino immigrant farm worker of the time are
portrayed,
> yet the audience is not assaulted by an over-bearing harshness. It
> was a miserable existense, full of hardships and abuse, and yet we
> are shown that it was LIFE... and one can always find hope and
dreams
> if one is willing to look inside one's own heart.
>
> This play was so wonderful because the story was all-important.
There
> were no major special effects, no amazing imagery, not even an
> orchestra. The stage was washed in a sepia glow that provided the
> appropriate historical note and the set was sparce representing
the
> very meager shelter provided to the immigrant worker. There were
no
> major set changes to distract the audience's attention away from
the
> performers and their story. All attention was focused on the five
men
> on the stage and what they had to share with us. The ability of
the
> audience to relate to and "feel" the story relied solely on the
> talents and "heart" of these five men.
>
> To separate out each performer to give them individualized credit
> would be unjust. They were truly a unit. Feeding off of each
others
> performances to give more credit and life to their own characters.
> Their performances showed that the bonds between these five made
them
> more than fellow workers, they were a family. From the supportive
but
> concerned Nick (nurturing motherly role) who gently cautioned and
yet
> couldn't help himself but assist his friend in corresponding with
his
> lady love. To the sarcastic and sometimes harsh Claro (the brother
> of "reality" to Magno's "idealism"). We grow to appreciate how
each
> has helped to strengthen Magno through his trails and
tribulations,
> helping his heart to continue to hope and dream and yet also
> strengthening and preparing it for the time when it needs to be
> strong. The talents of these five men draw us into the characters
and
> make us want to follow them on their journey. We want to know of
> their lives and their experiences. We want to see them succeed and
be
> happy. We FEEL for them. We feel part of their family...part of
their
> lives. They provided the heart to the story by reaching out and
> touching our hearts.
>
> I would like to thank everyone involved in this play for creating
> such a wonderful production and sharing with me such a heart-
touching
> story.
>
> One last side note...it was also rewarding to be introduced to
> additional aspects of Filipino culture through this play. The play
> used a form of rhyming verbal joust representative of a Filipino
> literary tradition called Balagtasan. The performers also used
> Eskrima or Arnis sticks throughout the play. Within the play they
> used them in the fields as farm implements and even improvised to
use
> them as musical instruments but their traditional use was as
weapons
> in Philippine Martial Arts.
>
>
>  epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@> wrote:
> >
> > ...And I will pass on good wishes to Paolo from his websites
loyal
> fans.
> >
> > Diana
> >
> >
> > Diana -- did you make it to the show?  Don't tell me your
private
> jet
> > broke down again? :)
> >
> > d.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, thea na <thea12173@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi Diana!
> > > >
> > > >   Go friend go! Try your best to be there... hehe... do I
sound
> > > like an elder? Oh well, just like the others, I'm also excited
> about
> > > this play but wouldn't be able to see it. In any case, we'll
wait
> for
> > > your review next week... oh and if you get to talk to the
MAN...
> > > Paolo, give him our regards!!! :)
> > > >
> > > >    Thea
> > > >
> > > > sheiswater <sheiswater@> wrote:
> > > >           Hi Paolo,
> > > >
> > > > Thank you for sharing your personal insights into the play.
And
> > > your
> > > > final word...Come! With an exclaimation point no less.
Hmmmm,
> can I
> > > > refuse a direct order like that? Not likely. Possibly
> Sunday...no
> > > > guarantees just yet. And Dan and Fel, I promise to fill you
in
> on
> > > the
> > > > performance if I do make it.
> > > >
> > > > Diana
> > > >
> > > > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Dear Family and Friends,
> > > > >
> > > > > Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've
ever
> seen
> > > > > before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm
> currently
> > > > > in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast
> based
> > > on
> > > > > the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with
pride,
> hope,
> > > > and
> > > > > love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be
> Filipino
> > > to
> > > > > enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I
want
> to
> > > > share
> > > > > with you a special discount code that is good till June
10th.
> (We
> > > > run
> > > > > till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the
links
> to
> > > buy
> > > > > tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally
> tix
> > > are
> > > > > $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The
Culture
> > > > Project
> > > > > 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
> > > > >
> > > > > Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave
> reviews
> > > in
> > > > > the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
>
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love
_
> > > > > laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> > > > > http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?
> > > categoryid=1265&cs=1
> > > > >
> > > > > Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6
> stars!)
> > > > >
> > > > > I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It
is
> the
> > > > most
> > > > > lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever
see
> on a
> > > NY
> > > > > stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your
> spirit.
> > > > Come!
> > > > >
> > > > > To Our Best,
> > > > >
> > > > > Paolo
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ---------------------------------
> > > > Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels
> with
> > > Yahoo! FareChase.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

Hehehe...no Dan, my private jet wisked me safely to and from the
play. The delay is only due to the fact that I was wisked from my
private jet to a commercial jet that then carried me off to
Mexico....just got back! OK...enough delay....my review....

In today's society we have become so drawn into the "Bigger is
Better" mentality that entertainment has too often become a showcase
of pyrotechnics, special effects, computerized imagery, and a
bombardment of other sensory stimuli that can often drown out the
pure essence and heart of the performance. The "pure essence" I refer
to is the "story"...the meaning behind the performance. The "heart"
lies in the performers...the life that they bring to their
characters. When entertainment focuses on the sensory perceptions of
the audience by focusing on the big explosions, creative imagery, and
dramatic scenery we can often loose sight of where we are going and
who we are following. I loved this play for its pure essence and
heart.

We are presented with a simple story of a big-hearted Filipino
immigrant worker developing an emotional bond and commitment to a
woman he has yet to meet. His companions view this emotional
involvement with various levels of support, concern, and sarcasm and
yet his devotion remains unwavering.  Ultimately his devotion is
proved to be spent on the undeserving and yet his heart remains in
tact as he continues to look on life as glorious. Throughout the
presentation of the story the daily struggles and adversities that
faced the Filipino immigrant farm worker of the time are portrayed,
yet the audience is not assaulted by an over-bearing harshness. It
was a miserable existense, full of hardships and abuse, and yet we
are shown that it was LIFE... and one can always find hope and dreams
if one is willing to look inside one's own heart.

This play was so wonderful because the story was all-important. There
were no major special effects, no amazing imagery, not even an
orchestra. The stage was washed in a sepia glow that provided the
appropriate historical note and the set was sparce representing the
very meager shelter provided to the immigrant worker. There were no
major set changes to distract the audience's attention away from the
performers and their story. All attention was focused on the five men
on the stage and what they had to share with us. The ability of the
audience to relate to and "feel" the story relied solely on the
talents and "heart" of these five men.

To separate out each performer to give them individualized credit
would be unjust. They were truly a unit. Feeding off of each others
performances to give more credit and life to their own characters.
Their performances showed that the bonds between these five made them
more than fellow workers, they were a family. From the supportive but
concerned Nick (nurturing motherly role) who gently cautioned and yet
couldn't help himself but assist his friend in corresponding with his
lady love. To the sarcastic and sometimes harsh Claro (the brother
of "reality" to Magno's "idealism"). We grow to appreciate how each
has helped to strengthen Magno through his trails and tribulations,
helping his heart to continue to hope and dream and yet also
strengthening and preparing it for the time when it needs to be
strong. The talents of these five men draw us into the characters and
make us want to follow them on their journey. We want to know of
their lives and their experiences. We want to see them succeed and be
happy. We FEEL for them. We feel part of their family...part of their
lives. They provided the heart to the story by reaching out and
touching our hearts.

I would like to thank everyone involved in this play for creating
such a wonderful production and sharing with me such a heart-touching
story.

One last side note...it was also rewarding to be introduced to
additional aspects of Filipino culture through this play. The play
used a form of rhyming verbal joust representative of a Filipino
literary tradition called Balagtasan. The performers also used
Eskrima or Arnis sticks throughout the play. Within the play they
used them in the fields as farm implements and even improvised to use
them as musical instruments but their traditional use was as weapons
in Philippine Martial Arts.


  epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@...> wrote:
>
> ...And I will pass on good wishes to Paolo from his websites loyal
fans.
>
> Diana
>
>
> Diana -- did you make it to the show?  Don't tell me your private
jet
> broke down again? :)
>
> d.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, thea na <thea12173@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Diana!
> > >
> > >   Go friend go! Try your best to be there... hehe... do I sound
> > like an elder? Oh well, just like the others, I'm also excited
about
> > this play but wouldn't be able to see it. In any case, we'll wait
for
> > your review next week... oh and if you get to talk to the MAN...
> > Paolo, give him our regards!!! :)
> > >
> > >    Thea
> > >
> > > sheiswater <sheiswater@> wrote:
> > >           Hi Paolo,
> > >
> > > Thank you for sharing your personal insights into the play. And
> > your
> > > final word...Come! With an exclaimation point no less. Hmmmm,
can I
> > > refuse a direct order like that? Not likely. Possibly
Sunday...no
> > > guarantees just yet. And Dan and Fel, I promise to fill you in
on
> > the
> > > performance if I do make it.
> > >
> > > Diana
> > >
> > > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Dear Family and Friends,
> > > >
> > > > Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever
seen
> > > > before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm
currently
> > > > in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast
based
> > on
> > > > the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride,
hope,
> > > and
> > > > love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be
Filipino
> > to
> > > > enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want
to
> > > share
> > > > with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th.
(We
> > > run
> > > > till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links
to
> > buy
> > > > tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally
tix
> > are
> > > > $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture
> > > Project
> > > > 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
> > > >
> > > > Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave
reviews
> > in
> > > > the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love_
> > > > laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> > > > http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?
> > categoryid=1265&cs=1
> > > >
> > > > Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6
stars!)
> > > >
> > > > I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is
the
> > > most
> > > > lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see
on a
> > NY
> > > > stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your
spirit.
> > > Come!
> > > >
> > > > To Our Best,
> > > >
> > > > Paolo
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels
with
> > Yahoo! FareChase.
> > >
> >
>

...And I will pass on good wishes to Paolo from his websites loyal fans.

Diana


Diana -- did you make it to the show?  Don't tell me your private jet
broke down again? :)

d.










>
> --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, thea na <thea12173@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Diana!
> >
> >   Go friend go! Try your best to be there... hehe... do I sound
> like an elder? Oh well, just like the others, I'm also excited about
> this play but wouldn't be able to see it. In any case, we'll wait for
> your review next week... oh and if you get to talk to the MAN...
> Paolo, give him our regards!!! :)
> >
> >    Thea
> >
> > sheiswater <sheiswater@> wrote:
> >           Hi Paolo,
> >
> > Thank you for sharing your personal insights into the play. And
> your
> > final word...Come! With an exclaimation point no less. Hmmmm, can I
> > refuse a direct order like that? Not likely. Possibly Sunday...no
> > guarantees just yet. And Dan and Fel, I promise to fill you in on
> the
> > performance if I do make it.
> >
> > Diana
> >
> > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Dear Family and Friends,
> > >
> > > Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever seen
> > > before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm currently
> > > in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast based
> on
> > > the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride, hope,
> > and
> > > love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be Filipino
> to
> > > enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want to
> > share
> > > with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th. (We
> > run
> > > till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links to
> buy
> > > tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally tix
> are
> > > $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture
> > Project
> > > 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
> > >
> > > Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave reviews
> in
> > > the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
> > >
> > >
> >
> http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love_
> > > laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> > > http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?
> categoryid=1265&cs=1
> > >
> > > Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6 stars!)
> > >
> > > I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is the
> > most
> > > lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see on a
> NY
> > > stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your spirit.
> > Come!
> > >
> > > To Our Best,
> > >
> > > Paolo
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with
> Yahoo! FareChase.
> >
>

Source: http://gibbscadiz.blogspot.com/2007/06/romancing-magno-
rubio.html




Saturday, June 09, 2007
Romancing 'Magno Rubio'

  Congratulations to the New-York based Ma-yi Theater Company for its
current revival of "The Romance of Magno Rubio," which is raking in
enthusiastic reviews! PDI's Hollywood correspondent Ruben Nepales has
the round-up:

"Under Loy Arcenas' tight-as-a-drumskin helming, the all-male
ensemble rocks the house with this revival of `The Romance of Magno
Rubio.' The modern-day folk tale about the lovesick dreams of a
Filipino-American farm worker won a 2003 OBIE for scribe Lonnie
Carter, who adopted the fable from a short story by Carlos Bulosan
that exposed the plight of migrant laborers during the 1920s
and '30s… [The] present-day furor over illegal immigration gives
resonance to the play's blunt take on exploited farm laborers like
Magno Rubio (Jojo Gonzalez) and his fellow workers in the California
fields...

  "What keeps us involved (and, in the case of one enthusiastic
preview audience, shouting with delight) is the skill with which
helmer Arcenas has adapted traditional Filipino musical rhythms and
storytelling traditions and flawlessly integrated their joyous
aspects into an exceedingly grim tale." (Marilyn Stasio, Variety)

"Director Loy Arcenas has provided a wonderfully vivid production
that is superbly acted by the five-member ensemble, especially Jojo
Gonzalez. The actor plays the titular role of a diminutive, love-
struck laborer who has become infatuated with an Arkansas woman he
has met through a lonely-hearts ad." (Frank Scheck, New York Post)

"The teamwork and the obvious rapport that `Magno Rubio's five-person
cast has is undeniable. They influence and inform each other much
like a relay team passing the baton from one runner to the next--or a
jazz band feeding off the group's collective energy. Jojo Gonzalez
and Arthur T. Acuña give endearingly powerhouse performances as Magno
and Nick, respectively, with Bernardo Bernardo, Ramon de Ocampo, and
Paolo Montalban providing what may be the best support in town right
now as their co-workers. All five actors are so thoroughly convincing
that one never doubts for a second that they are anyone else but
those characters." (Michael Criscuolo, nytheatre.com)

  Ma-Yi, a theater company founded and still run by Fil-Am actors,
brought the original English-language version of "Magno Rubio" to
Manila in 2003. A year later Loy Arcenas (also a Tony-nominated set
designer whose credits include the Broadway runs of "Once On This
Island" and "Love! Valour! Compassion!") directed a Filipino version
for Tanghalang Pilipino that starred Soliman Cruz (Maximo Oliveros'
tatay in the movie), Paolo Rodriguez, Roeder Camanag, Paolo O'Hara
and Noel Rayos.

I saw the Filipino version, and I've not forgotten it--one of those
plays that left my heart near-bursting with so much joy, rage and
tingling wonderment. Seriously, if I ever win the lotto
jackpot, "Magno Rubio" is one of those plays I'd bankroll and tour
around the country, along with Floy Quintos' "St. Louis Loves Dem
Filipinos (the musical)," Alfonso Dacanay's "The Day the Dancers
Came" in a twinbill with perhaps Chris Martinez's "Welcome to
IntelStar," a revival of either "Katy!" or "Larawan (the musical),"
and Sining Kambayoka's production of Frank Rivera's "Halik sa
Kampilan." I'll forget about being a theater critic and become an
impresario instead.

Bibili kayo tiket ha?

  Ma-Yi's guiding lights include executive director Jorge Ortoll, whom
I got to interview early this year for the launch of "Savage Stage,"
a groundbreaking anthology of original Ma-Yi plays; and artistic
director Ralph Pena, whom I haven't met but who e-mailed me an
appreciative note after I wrote about the theater community's
memorial service for Ogie Juliano a couple of months ago. Very
thoughtful of him.

Ma-Yi, Jorge, Ralph, you guys are amazing. Thanks for making us all
so proud.

Correction: I meant Alfonso Dacanay's play "First Snow of November."
Blush, blush.

Posted by gibbs cadiz at 2:23 AM

Labels: heritage, theater DiggIt! Del.icio.us

I'm not sure this is from the current production or not...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdnWQXhNgfo

OK...I'm going, I'm going....hehehe. I'll go buy the tickets now.
Just a quick side note....so you want to know if you sound like an
elder? I don't see it. But now I'm wondering if that means I sound
like one of my students. I teach kids anywhere from pre-school to
fifth grade. If we tend to communicate most like those we spend the
most time around....YIKES!!!! Let me assure you I am old enough to
venture into the BIG, BAD city. (I was going to add without getting
lost...but on second thought...hehehe). And I will pass on good
wishes to Paolo from his websites loyal fans.

Diana

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, thea na <thea12173@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Diana!
>
> Go friend go! Try your best to be there... hehe... do I sound
like an elder? Oh well, just like the others, I'm also excited about
this play but wouldn't be able to see it. In any case, we'll wait for
your review next week... oh and if you get to talk to the MAN...
Paolo, give him our regards!!! :)
>
> Thea
>
> sheiswater <sheiswater@...> wrote:
> Hi Paolo,
>
> Thank you for sharing your personal insights into the play. And
your
> final word...Come! With an exclaimation point no less. Hmmmm, can I
> refuse a direct order like that? Not likely. Possibly Sunday...no
> guarantees just yet. And Dan and Fel, I promise to fill you in on
the
> performance if I do make it.
>
> Diana
>
> --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Family and Friends,
> >
> > Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever seen
> > before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm currently
> > in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast based
on
> > the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride, hope,
> and
> > love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be Filipino
to
> > enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want to
> share
> > with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th. (We
> run
> > till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links to
buy
> > tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally tix
are
> > $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture
> Project
> > 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
> >
> > Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave reviews
in
> > the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
> >
> >
>
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love_
> > laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> > http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?
categoryid=1265&cs=1
> >
> > Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6 stars!)
> >
> > I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is the
> most
> > lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see on a
NY
> > stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your spirit.
> Come!
> >
> > To Our Best,
> >
> > Paolo
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with
Yahoo! FareChase.
>

OK...I'm going, I'm going....hehehe. I'll go buy the tickets now.
Just a quick side note....so you want to know if you sound like an
elder? I don't see it. But now I'm  wondering if that means I sound
like one of my students. I teach kids anywhere from pre-school to
fifth grade. If we tend to communicate most like those we spend the
most time around....YIKES!!!! Let me assure you I am old enough to
venture into the BIG, BAD city. (I was going to add without getting
lost...but on second thought...hehehe). And I will pass on good
wishes to Paolo from his websites loyal fans.

Diana

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, thea na <thea12173@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Diana!
>
>   Go friend go! Try your best to be there... hehe... do I sound
like an elder? Oh well, just like the others, I'm also excited about
this play but wouldn't be able to see it. In any case, we'll wait for
your review next week... oh and if you get to talk to the MAN...
Paolo, give him our regards!!! :)
>
>    Thea
>
> sheiswater <sheiswater@...> wrote:
>           Hi Paolo,
>
> Thank you for sharing your personal insights into the play. And
your
> final word...Come! With an exclaimation point no less. Hmmmm, can I
> refuse a direct order like that? Not likely. Possibly Sunday...no
> guarantees just yet. And Dan and Fel, I promise to fill you in on
the
> performance if I do make it.
>
> Diana
>
> --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Family and Friends,
> >
> > Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever seen
> > before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm currently
> > in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast based
on
> > the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride, hope,
> and
> > love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be Filipino
to
> > enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want to
> share
> > with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th. (We
> run
> > till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links to
buy
> > tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally tix
are
> > $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture
> Project
> > 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
> >
> > Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave reviews
in
> > the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
> >
> >
>
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love_
> > laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> > http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?
categoryid=1265&cs=1
> >
> > Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6 stars!)
> >
> > I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is the
> most
> > lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see on a
NY
> > stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your spirit.
> Come!
> >
> > To Our Best,
> >
> > Paolo
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with
Yahoo! FareChase.
>

Whoohoo! That sounds like fun lol. :-D I'll spring for the stretch
limo that takes us the airport. ;)

~Fel

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "sheiswater" <sheiswater@...> wrote:
>
> OOOOHHHH, you mean the PRIVATE JET you are buying me just because
you
> love me SOOOOOO much!!!! Why THANK YOU DAN!!!! hehehe   Now does
that
> include a life time hanger rental and a personal pilot of MY
> choosing????  the ever-so-appreciative Diana
>
>

Nice review! I'm glad to hear it's getting good & fair critique. :)

~Fel


--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@...> wrote:
>
> "`Magno Rubio' triumphs anew in NY
>
> By Ruben V. Nepales
> Inquirer
> Last updated 06:09am (Mla time) 06/08/2007
>
> LOS ANGELES -- Kudos to Paolo Montalban, Ramon de Ocampo, the
> ever-fabulous Bernardo Bernardo and the rest of the cast and
talents
> behind the current revival of "The Romance of Magno Rubio" in New
York."
>
> see the full review here:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2awv7w
>

Have a good time, Diana (if you go). Thanks. :)

I didn't end up going to NY on Thurs because my dad and I both weren't
feeling well. Not that it probably would've worked out anyway. Ah
well. Maybe the next play.

~Fel

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "sheiswater" <sheiswater@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Paolo,
>
> Thank you for sharing your personal insights into the play. And your
> final word...Come! With an exclaimation point no less. Hmmmm, can I
> refuse a direct order like that? Not likely. Possibly Sunday...no
> guarantees just yet. And Dan and Fel, I promise to fill you in on
the
> performance if I do make it.
>
> Diana
>

Oh, I'm so sorry. :( That's horrible.

~Fel

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@...> wrote:
>
> Sorry.  I meant your PRIVATE JET.  Helicopters terrify me, ever
since
> a friend was...yes...decapitated...just a year out of high
school.
>
> He had gone to NY and was starting to get roles in various
> productions. One day he was waiting to be picked up from a rooftop
in
> the city when it malfunctioned, tipped slightly to one
> side...and...well, he died very quickly.  Very tragic.
>
> So no h-copters for me.
>
>
> --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "sheiswater" <sheiswater@> wrote:
> >
> > You must be one BRAVE soul if you would concider getting into a
> > helicopter with ME behind the controls!!! But hey, what's life
without
> > a bit of EXCITEMENT!!!!!   Diana
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "Felicia" <daboneyard2000@> wrote:
> > >
> > > haha, I totally would if I had a helicopter. ;)
> > >
> > > ~Fel
> > >
> > > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Diana and Fel...can you swing by Seattle in your helicopter
and pick
> > > > me up on your way?
> > > >
> > > > haha.
> > > >
> > > > d.
> > >
> >
>

Hi Paolo,

Thank you for sharing your personal insights into the play. And your
final word...Come! With an exclaimation point no less. Hmmmm, can I
refuse a direct order like that? Not likely. Possibly Sunday...no
guarantees just yet. And Dan and Fel, I promise to fill you in on the
performance if I do make it.

Diana

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Family and Friends,
>
> Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever seen
> before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm currently
> in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast based on
> the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride, hope,
and
> love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be Filipino to
> enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want to
share
> with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th. (We
run
> till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links to buy
> tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally tix are
> $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture
Project
> 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
>
> Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave reviews in
> the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
>
>
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love_
> laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?categoryid=1265&cs=1
>
> Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6 stars!)
>
> I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is the
most
> lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see on a NY
> stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your spirit.
Come!
>
> To Our Best,
>
> Paolo
>

OOOOHHHH, you mean the PRIVATE JET you are buying me just because you
love me SOOOOOO much!!!! Why THANK YOU DAN!!!! hehehe   Now does that
include a life time hanger rental and a personal pilot of MY
choosing????  the ever-so-appreciative Diana

  In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@...> wrote:
>
> Sorry.  I meant your PRIVATE JET.  Helicopters terrify me, ever
since
> a friend was...yes...decapitated...just a year out of high school.
>
> He had gone to NY and was starting to get roles in various
> productions. One day he was waiting to be picked up from a rooftop
in
> the city when it malfunctioned, tipped slightly to one
> side...and...well, he died very quickly.  Very tragic.
>
> So no h-copters for me.
>
>
> --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "sheiswater" <sheiswater@> wrote:
> >
> > You must be one BRAVE soul if you would concider getting into a
> > helicopter with ME behind the controls!!! But hey, what's life
without
> > a bit of EXCITEMENT!!!!!   Diana
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "Felicia" <daboneyard2000@> wrote:
> > >
> > > haha, I totally would if I had a helicopter. ;)
> > >
> > > ~Fel
> > >
> > > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Diana and Fel...can you swing by Seattle in your helicopter
and pick
> > > > me up on your way?
> > > >
> > > > haha.
> > > >
> > > > d.
> > >
> >
>

"`Magno Rubio' triumphs anew in NY

By Ruben V. Nepales
Inquirer
Last updated 06:09am (Mla time) 06/08/2007

LOS ANGELES -- Kudos to Paolo Montalban, Ramon de Ocampo, the
ever-fabulous Bernardo Bernardo and the rest of the cast and talents
behind the current revival of "The Romance of Magno Rubio" in New York."

see the full review here:

http://tinyurl.com/2awv7w

Sorry.  I meant your PRIVATE JET.  Helicopters terrify me, ever since
a friend was...yes...decapitated...just a year out of high school.

He had gone to NY and was starting to get roles in various
productions. One day he was waiting to be picked up from a rooftop in
the city when it malfunctioned, tipped slightly to one
side...and...well, he died very quickly.  Very tragic.

So no h-copters for me.


--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "sheiswater" <sheiswater@...> wrote:
>
> You must be one BRAVE soul if you would concider getting into a
> helicopter with ME behind the controls!!! But hey, what's life without
> a bit of EXCITEMENT!!!!!   Diana
>
>
>
>
> --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "Felicia" <daboneyard2000@> wrote:
> >
> > haha, I totally would if I had a helicopter. ;)
> >
> > ~Fel
> >
> > --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Diana and Fel...can you swing by Seattle in your helicopter and pick
> > > me up on your way?
> > >
> > > haha.
> > >
> > > d.
> >
>

Hi Paolo,

Thank you for sharing your personal insights into the play. And your
final word...Come! With an exclaimation point no less. Hmmmm, can I
refuse a direct order like that? Not likely. Possibly Sunday...no
guarantees just yet. And Dan and Fel, I promise to fill you in on the
performance if I do make it.

Diana

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Family and Friends,
>
> Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever seen
> before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm currently
> in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast based on
> the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride, hope,
and
> love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be Filipino to
> enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want to
share
> with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th. (We
run
> till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links to buy
> tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally tix are
> $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture
Project
> 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
>
> Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave reviews in
> the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
>
>
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love_
> laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?categoryid=1265&cs=1
>
> Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6 stars!)
>
> I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is the
most
> lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see on a NY
> stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your spirit.
Come!
>
> To Our Best,
>
> Paolo
>

You must be one BRAVE soul if you would concider getting into a
helicopter with ME behind the controls!!! But hey, what's life without
a bit of EXCITEMENT!!!!!   Diana




--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "Felicia" <daboneyard2000@...> wrote:
>
> haha, I totally would if I had a helicopter. ;)
>
> ~Fel
>
> --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@> wrote:
> >
> > Diana and Fel...can you swing by Seattle in your helicopter and pick
> > me up on your way?
> >
> > haha.
> >
> > d.
>

Hi Paolo,

I don't think I'll be able to go this time around, but it sounds
like a good story. Hope you are enjoying the role! :)

~Felicia (Fel)

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Family and Friends,
>
> Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever seen
> before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm currently
> in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast based
on
> the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride, hope,
and
> love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be Filipino
to
> enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want to
share
> with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th. (We
run
> till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links to
buy
> tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally tix are
> $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture
Project
> 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
>
> Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave reviews
in
> the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
>
>
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love
_
> laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?
categoryid=1265&cs=1
>
> Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6 stars!)
>
> I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is the
most
> lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see on a
NY
> stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your spirit.
Come!
>
> To Our Best,
>
> Paolo
>

haha, I totally would if I had a helicopter. ;)

~Fel

--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@...> wrote:
>
> Diana and Fel...can you swing by Seattle in your helicopter and pick
> me up on your way?
>
> haha.
>
> d.

Here's a link for the review...

http://tinyurl.com/2pe9gg

"Inventively adapted from a short story by Carlos Bulosan, Lonnie
Carter's The Romance of Magno Rubio has enormous theatrical appeal. As
directed by Loy Arcenas for Ma-Yi Theatre Company and performed by a
remarkable cast..."

Thanks for posting Paolo.  Perhaps you can convince Vincent Nebrida to
produce a film version of the play? :)  Tell him Dan said so -- HA!

Best regards,

d.





--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "blagua" <blagua@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Family and Friends,
>
> Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever seen
> before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm currently
> in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast based on
> the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride, hope, and
> love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be Filipino to
> enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want to share
> with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th. (We run
> till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links to buy
> tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally tix are
> $50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture Project
> 55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.
>
> Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave reviews in
> the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...
>
> http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love_
> laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
> http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?categoryid=1265&cs=1
>
> Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6 stars!)
>
> I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is the most
> lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see on a NY
> stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your spirit. Come!
>
> To Our Best,
>
> Paolo
>

Diana and Fel...can you swing by Seattle in your helicopter and pick
me up on your way?

haha.

d.


--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "Felicia" <daboneyard2000@...> wrote:
>
> I love the fact that he has chosen such versatile roles in his career.
> He has a great acting range. :) Good luck, Diana. I hope you get to
> go. Please tell us all about it, if you do!
>
> I might be in NY this Thursday, but I don't think I'll be able to go
> since the play is running at nighttime during the week, and we'll
> probably be leaving by then.
>
> ~Fel
>
>
> --- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "sheiswater" <sheiswater@> wrote:
> >
> > I just finished reading the reviews on Paolo's new play. So he's
> > switched roles from being the prince who fulfils dreams to the man
> who
> > makes a concerted effort to crush them???? OUCH! Good for him! A bit
> of
> > drama to set his teeth into. Only five men in the cast of an hour
> and a
> > half play must give him a wonderful opportunity to explore the
> > character's depths...or lack there of. So...am I going to be able to
> > make my way to NY???? Most probably yes. When? As always, I have no
> > clue, and I probably won't know until half an hour before I pull out
> of
> > my driveway. I just love my superly busy but can always squeeze one
> > more thing in LIFE! hehehe Diana
> >
>

I love the fact that he has chosen such versatile roles in his career.
He has a great acting range. :) Good luck, Diana. I hope you get to
go. Please tell us all about it, if you do!

I might be in NY this Thursday, but I don't think I'll be able to go
since the play is running at nighttime during the week, and we'll
probably be leaving by then.

~Fel


--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "sheiswater" <sheiswater@...> wrote:
>
> I just finished reading the reviews on Paolo's new play. So he's
> switched roles from being the prince who fulfils dreams to the man
who
> makes a concerted effort to crush them???? OUCH! Good for him! A bit
of
> drama to set his teeth into. Only five men in the cast of an hour
and a
> half play must give him a wonderful opportunity to explore the
> character's depths...or lack there of. So...am I going to be able to
> make my way to NY???? Most probably yes. When? As always, I have no
> clue, and I probably won't know until half an hour before I pull out
of
> my driveway. I just love my superly busy but can always squeeze one
> more thing in LIFE! hehehe Diana
>

Source:
http://www.theaternewsonline.com/NYTheaterReviews/Goodcheer.cfm


THE ROMANCE OF MAGNO RUBIO
at Culture Project (off-Bway)



TOIL AND TROUBLE
By David Lefkowitz


There are probably more depressing topics for plays than migrant
Filipino farm workers oppressed by their bosses, condemned to wage
slavery and blowing what little money they have on drink and
prostitutes because they have no hope of starting families or ever
again seeing families they left behind. Add to that the tale of one
laborer duped out of his savings by a lonely-hearts pen-pal, and you
have the makings of one grim evening.

Which is precisely what The Romance of Magno Rubio is not.

Sure, clusters of Grapes of Wrath glumness and outbursts of Odetsian
politics crop up -- just enough, in fact, to make us exceedingly
grateful that most of Magno Rubio is light-hearted. No need to show
the workers relentlessly beaten and abused; one scene of Atoy (Ramon
De Ocampo) mouthing off and then being struck across the face (by
the unseen foreman) tells us all. Mostly, the five men depicted in
Lonnie Carter's award-winning play tease each other (often in ribald
fashion), or grab guitars and bamboo sticks to sing wryly about
their situation. They even encourage Magno in his epistolary
correspondence, though they know deep down his ladylove will prove
as false as the American dream they all chase.

In adapting a short story by Carlos Bulosan, playwright Carter (full
disclosure: he was my writing professor at NYU) realizes that hope
in the face of despair tends to be more potent than just showing
despair. So Nick (Arthur T. Acuna) buries his nose in books hoping
that intellect and wisdom will better his days (if not his lot), the
bullying Claro (Paolo Montalban) chooses to leave the camp to go
prospecting in Alaska; and Magno (JoJo Gonzalez), despite losing
everything to heartbreak, takes only a moment to grieve and then
shrugs, "I guess we'll start picking the tomatoes next week."

Loy Arcenas directs the suitably barebones staging with simplicity,
adding elements of stylized movement, dance and ritual fighting.
Carter's text, mostly in rhymed verse as an homage to Filipino
poetic tradition, has its share of infelicitous couplets but doesn't
overload the story with frills and declamations. That said, Rubio's
tale is just a bit thin for the play's hundred-minute running time.
Other characters tend to be types - e.g., the bookworm, the bully -
without subplots, so there sequences when we wait impatiently for
the story to run its course or for Magno's bunkmates to help him
wise up. Much as the scenes with De Ocampo playing Magno's beloved
Clarabelle are amusingly done, we pretty much get that she's a gold-
digger early on and don't need so many reappearances to remind us.

Still, for a play set in a barracks with a doomed dramatis personae
and an unhappy ending, The Romance of Magno Rubio has such good
cheer, we're almost tempted to share the optimism of its
protagonist. Or at least wish, against all evidence to the contrary,
that his luck, and the luck of his companions, will one day change.

Dear Family and Friends,

Do you want to see a theatrical event like none you've ever seen
before? Here is the info for the Off-Broadway play I'm currently
in, "The Romance of Magno Rubio". This 5 man Filipino cast based on
the short story by Carlos Bulosan will fill you with pride, hope, and
love. The great thing is that you don't even have to be Filipino to
enjoy it. (But you'll get more of the inside jokes.) I want to share
with you a special discount code that is good till June 10th. (We run
till June 17th) Go to www.ma-yitheatre.org, follow the links to buy
tix, enter promo code MYPTS to get 50% off ($25). Normally tix are
$50 and online discounts $35-$40. The location is The Culture Project
55 Mercer St in Soho . Times are Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat&Sun 3pm.

Your Non-Filipino friends will love it too. See the rave reviews in
the New York Post (3 out of 4 stars) and Variety...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05312007/entertainment/theater/youll_love_
laborer_lost_in_romance_theater_frank_scheck.htm
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?categoryid=1265&cs=1

Or pick up a copy of this week's Time Out NY . (5 out of 6 stars!)

I've never promoted a piece like this. It is special. It is the most
lean, tightly packed 90 minutes of action you will ever see on a NY
stage. It is for a limited time only. It will lift your spirit. Come!

To Our Best,

Paolo

I just finished reading the reviews on Paolo's new play. So he's
switched roles from being the prince who fulfils dreams to the man who
makes a concerted effort to crush them???? OUCH! Good for him! A bit of
drama to set his teeth into. Only five men in the cast of an hour and a
half play must give him a wonderful opportunity to explore the
character's depths...or lack there of. So...am I going to be able to
make my way to NY???? Most probably yes. When? As always, I have no
clue, and I probably won't know until half an hour before I pull out of
my driveway. I just love my superly busy but can always squeeze one
more thing in LIFE! hehehe Diana

Thanks for sharing! :)

~Fel


--- In epaolo@yahoogroups.com, "dannyjbex" <dannyjbex@...> wrote:
>
> by Michael Criscuolo · May 24, 2007
>
> "The teamwork and the obvious rapport that Magno Rubio's five-
person
> cast has is undeniable. They influence and inform each other much
like
> a relay team passing the baton from one runner to the next—or a
jazz
> band feeding off the group's collective energy. Jojo Gonzalez and
> Arthur T. Acuña give endearingly powerhouse performances as Magno
and
> Nick, respectively, with Bernardo Bernardo, Ramon De Ocampo, and
Paolo
> Montalban providing what may be the best support in town right now
as
> their co-workers. All five actors are so thoroughly convincing that
> one never doubts for a second that they are anyone else but those
> characters."
>
> The entire review:  http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/roma5261.htm
>

"...The infinitely wise Prudencio (Bernardo Bernardo) tries the
compassionate approach. The educated Nick (Arthur T. Acuna) can't
bring himself to burst Rubio's bubble and ends up writing his love
letters. Atoy (Ramon De Ocampo), the camp clown, can't help mocking
his naivete. Only tall, handsome, narcissistic Claro (Paolo Montalban)
is cruel enough to take advantage of Rubio's blind faith in his
Clarabelle -- and, by metaphorical extension, of his dumb trust in
America's promises."


http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933776.html?categoryid=33&cs=1

by Michael Criscuolo · May 24, 2007

"The teamwork and the obvious rapport that Magno Rubio's five-person
cast has is undeniable. They influence and inform each other much like
a relay team passing the baton from one runner to the next—or a jazz
band feeding off the group's collective energy. Jojo Gonzalez and
Arthur T. Acuña give endearingly powerhouse performances as Magno and
Nick, respectively, with Bernardo Bernardo, Ramon De Ocampo, and Paolo
Montalban providing what may be the best support in town right now as
their co-workers. All five actors are so thoroughly convincing that
one never doubts for a second that they are anyone else but those
characters."

The entire review:  http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/roma5261.htm