MANILA, Philippines - Tanghalang Ateneo closes its 33rd Season this February with the award-winning Fireflies, by the Japanese playwright Suzue Toshiro. Done in an English translation by David G. Goodman, Fireflies is a contemporary play about four couples who seek authentic human relationships in an impersonal urban world. A love story of an unusual kind, Fireflies is a most timely offering for the Valentine season.
The play focuses on three couples who trudge through their daily lives in a struggle to connect and find even a flicker of happiness — a middle-aged married couple whose baby just died, two lovers who are dealing with the man’s infidelity as the girl catches the eye of a married co-worker, and an office worker who finds himself attracted to a college girl. Will these couples find even a flicker of love, as in the twinkling of fireflies, or will they do better and find the blazing light of love? Fireflies invites audiences to take the journey with these struggling couples to reach an answer.
Fireflies features current Tanghalang Ateneo student-actors together with an alumni and professional cast.
Ricardo Abad and BJ Crisostomo co-direct the play. Set design is by Ohm David, costume design by Lenvil Paneda, lights design by Jonjon Villareal, music design by Michiyo Yoneno-Reyes and graphics design by JV Castro. The playwright Suzue Toshiro is expected to come and meet people interested in contemporary Japanese playwrighting.
Fireflies runs from Feb 9 to 11, 15 to 18, to 22 to 25, 7 p.m. at the Rizal Mini Theater, ADMU. For tickets and inquiries, contact Ada Albaña through text (0922-8952070, 0920-5847421) or e-mail (adpalbana@yahoo.com).