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Filipino-Americans have had a rich theater tradition based largely on stories about the immigrant experience. The Pearl Project adds another dimension to this tradition—and to the New York theater culture—by presenting universal themes of family, love, ambition and desire to connect and live a meaningful life, from a new generation of Filipino American playwrights.
In a historic first, original works by Filipino-American playwrights take center stage at The Pearl Project, opening this week in New York City. Full-length plays by Palanca award-winning playwrights Eric Gamalinda and Jorshinelle Taleon-Sonza and two one-acts, by DCT Playwright Fellow Kristine M. Reyes will be staged July 6-25 at the Clurman Theatre on Theatre Row.
This major theater event, Victor Lirio’s brainchild, gathers some of the finest Filipino-American and American artists in a theater festival.
"Filipino-Americans have had a rich theater tradition based largely on stories about the immigrant experience. I am thrilled to add another dimension to this tradition by presenting works that examine the universal themes of family, love, and the desire for a meaningful life—expressed by my generation of Filipino American artists," said Victor Lirio, DCT’s Artistic Director.
The event will be broken into two programs. The Red Series will include Reyes’ Quarter Century Baby. Directed by Adam Fitzgerald, the play tells the story of a parents’ surprise visit to their Filipino daughter and her American boyfriend and features Ali Ewoldt and Christopher Kloko. Gamalinda’s Resurrection, which will be directed by Michael Sexton and which explores the effect of a young woman’s suicide on her family completes this program.
The Blue Series on the other hand will include Reyes’ Something Blue, to be directed by Andy Goldberg. The play follows an estranged father’s quest to reconnect with his daughter on her wedding day. Taleon-Sonza’s The Encounter, directed by Nelson T. Eusebio III, is the other part of the series and dramatizes an unexpected visit by the incumbent President of the Philippines in his political rival’s prison cell.
"The human heart beats from the same place in all of us regardless of race, color, gender, and religion. Filipino-Americans have had a rich theater tradition based largely on stories about the immigrant experience. I am thrilled to add another dimension to this tradition by presenting works that examine the universal themes of family, love, and the desire for a meaningful life—expressed by my generation of Filipino American artists," Lirio said.
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