Last chance to catch Rep’s No Way to Treat a Lady

MANILA, Philippines - No Way to Treat a Lady, Repertory Philippines’ latest hit production of the season, goes into its final-weekend run this week.

The last two performances of the one-of-a-kind “musical in the key of murder” are set tonight at 8 and tomorrow, March 23 at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and March 24 at 3:30 p.m. A dark comedy done in the classic film noir style, No Way to Treat a Lady is a stage musical based on the best-selling novel and movie of the same title by William Goldman.

Veteran stage actor-director Audie Gemora plays the lead role of Christopher “Kit” Gill, a killer with a bad mama’s boy complex. He draws a red lipstick kiss mark on the foreheads of his victims as some sort of bizarre “calling card,” leaving people baffled — everyone except the determined mama’s boy cop hell-bent on tracking him down.

It’s definitely a musical-comedy you don’t want to miss. Reviewers, both online and offline, have hailed No Way to Treat a Lady as “a witty, snappy, dark, and wickedly entertaining black comedy.”

According to one review, “the music and lyrics are magical. You will actually start humming melodies that stay with you. All the elements come together to illustrate what a first-rate musical should be!”

Audie is also reaping accolades for his performance as Kit. One reviewer described him thus: “(He) certainly deserves being called a versatile actor. He portrays a devilish murderer with mommy problems and takes on not just one but multiple personas. As Kit tricks his victims with several disguises, Mr. Gemora transforms into a ballroom instructor with a sexy mustache and a glittery outfit, a bespectacled priest who’s much too enthusiastic about heaven, and even a soft-spoken woman with spectacular legs.”

Joining Audie for the final weekend run are Joel Trinidad, who plays the cop Morris Brummel, and Pinky Marquez (as Kit’s mother), Carla Guevara-Laforteza (as Morris’ love interest), Sheila Francisco and Jamie Wilson.

The play has five actors playing 17 different characters, a first in Philippine theater.

Co-presented by the City of Makati, Ayala Malls, BusinessWorld, HerWord.com, Bizu and Liberating.Jepoy.com, the artistic team of No Way To Treat a Lady is composed of Baby Barredo (artistic director); Audie (director); Liesl Batucan (assistant director); Dingdong Fiel (musical director); Mio Infante (set designer); Raven Ong (costume designer) and John Batalla (lighting designer).

For ticket details and reservations,  call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926 or 571-4941 or email at [email protected] or log on to www.repertory.ph.

Tickets are also available through Ticketworld (with tel. no. 891-9999) or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph or www.repertory.ph, subscribe to youtube.com/repertoryphils,and “like” Repertory Philippines on Facebook.