As we gear up to celebrate our 30th Anniversary with Welcome Home - Gala and Fundraiser on Dec 7th at SOMArts, we'd like to reflect on some of the pivotal productions in our history that have defined us as a theater company.
Since Tagalog 2019 is currently running through Nov 2nd, let's explore how this special production series came to fruition.
Co-producer, Lorna Velasco recounts, "Joyce [Juan Manalo, Tagalog co-producer] and I were both aligned in wanting to hear, feel and experience Tagalog on stage. She had been living in the Philippines and had seen The Virgin Labfest and the high quality production curated by Rody Vera and his team. I had just finished staging an adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in which I translated a portion of the text to Tagalog and saw the impact and the hunger the audience had in hearing Tagalog on stage. So we knew, that it was our time to put something that we ourselves have wanted to see on the Bindlestiff stage."
The Rude Mechanicals: (L-R) Melvign Dadiola, Patrick Silvestre, Joe Cascasan, Ed Mabasa, Roczane Enriquez, Chuck Lacson. Photo by Paciano Triunfo
Lorna's A Pinoy Midsummer was a revelation. "If I had never had any prior exposure to Midsummer," Melissa Hillman, Artistic Director of Impact Theater, said of the production at the time, "I would have believed it was a Filipino fairy tale." Interpreted through the prism of Philippine class conflicts, with elements of indigenous folklore and culture, accented by live music and shadow puppetry, A Pinoy Midsummer proved that anything is possible on the stage - social commentary, humor, fantasy, romance - and it all can be done in our own language.
"Hintayan sa Langit" Tagalog 2016 - Richgail Enriquez and Lee Robin Salazar. Photo by Paciano Triunfo
Tagalog, now in its third iteration, continues the fruitful collaboration with Rody Vera and the Virgin Labfest for source material from some of the best playwrights in the Philippines. In this way, Tagalog carries the torch that A Pinoy Midsummer ignited, a love for the language that beckons us home, wherever "home" may be.
"Mga Bata sa Selda 43" Tagalog 2019 - Sunshine Roque and Kathlyn Cabrera. Photo by Rob Suguitan
Both Tagalog and A Pinoy Midsummer exemplify the type of programming that only Bindlestiff produces. If you appreciate the unique work that Bindlestiff has created (and continues to create), please show us your support through your donation, sponsorship, or ticket purchase for Welcome Home!
FEAST!!!
Enjoy a mouthwatering spread curated by Thuy Tran (co-founder of the Rooted Recipes Project) and prepared by renowned local chefs, with drinks from the open bar!
LAUGH!!!
Featured performance by celebrated stand-up comedian, Kevin Camia (Late Night with Stephen Colbert). Hosted by Kat Evasco.
ROCK!!!
Headlined by indie-rock legends, Julie Plug.
and MORE!
When: Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 6 - 9:30 p.m.
Where: SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103
GET YOUR TICKETS
General Price - $75
At-the-Door - $100
SPONSORSHIPS
Ranging from $250 - $2,000 with valuable rewards for each tier.
DONATIONS
Set up one-time, monthly, or annual donations.
Raise your hand if you love the Stiff!
See you there!
