Joyfully Yours

9 Works Theatrical, one of Manila’s most exciting theater companies, has turned 5 this year! For 9 Works Theatrical’s Artistic Director, Robbie Guevara, it seems like yesterday when he approached his friend, Managing Director Santi Santamaria with the idea of staging one of his favorite musicals of all time, "The Wedding Singer" but putting up a show would entail cost. Putting Robbie's dream aside, was decided along with their partners Mio Infante, Anna Santamaria, Toff de Venecia, Jonjon Martin, and Carlos Canlas, had to take into consideration.

9 Works Theatrical Team

Committed to bringing the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and The West End to its local audiences, 9 Works Theatrical had segued into doing two other musicals that would leave an indelible mark on their audiences for the years to come. 

Their first show was Jason Robert Brown’s "Songs For a New World" followed by Jonathan Larson's "Rent" that ran 3 times! It was after these shows when "The Wedding Singer" was finally produced and directed by Robbie! After that came in Bob Fosse's "Sweet Charity," "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Marvin Hamlisch’s "They’re Playing Our Song," and finally "Grease."

“Five years na tayo? Eh ‘di let's do The Last Five Years!" shares artistic director Robbie Guevara. "I meant that as a light joke buy my partners took it seriously and liked the idea so much. And since I love the musical, I didn't object at all when they agreed to do it." 

9 Works Theatrical's Artistic Director Robbie Guevara

Coincidentally, Jason Robert Brown who wrote 9 Works Theatrical's first production "Songs for a New World" also wrote "The Last Five Years!" How perfect is that?

"The Last 5 Years" with Nikki Gil and Joaquin Valdes

Returning to the stage after her PMPC Star Awards for TV win for Best Single Performance by an Actress and 2013 Philstage Gawad Buhay nomination for “They’re Playing Our Song,” singer-actress Nikki Gil will be playing the role of Cathy Hyatt.

Nikki Gil

Ok, this is not about the show but just wanted to highlight that I love the shoes Nikki was wearing during the presscon! They're super fab! :D

Joaquin Valdes

9 Works Theatrical's Executive Producer Santi Santamaria as he makes a toast for their 5th Anniversary.

Power Duo Santi and Robbie

Games People Play, a Palanca-winning play by Glenn Sevilla Mas features theater actors Abner Delina, Thea Yrastorza and Kalil Almonte. Ed Lacson Jr., who also does the production design, directs it while Teresa Barrozo does the sound and music design.

Abner Delina as Julio plays one of the childhood games he would never forget.

Thea Yrastorza as Luna who is a trusting girl that later becomes a nun pursued by the most lustful dreams.

Kalil Almonte as Diego who is a confused fatherless boy that grows up to be a confused young man.

Games People Play is about three characters who try to understand why they are the way they are by revisiting their childhood, specifically the games that they played with each other. Each game is a rite of passage and it represents a significant moment in their coming of age.

The writing of the play was inspired by this quote from child psychologist and writer Bruno Bettelheim: “The monster a child knows best and is most concerned with [is] the monster he feels or fears himself to be.”

The production will run from April 22 to 26, 2014, 7:30 PM with a 2:30 PM show on April 26, at the Fine Arts Blackbox Theater, Fine Arts Annex, Ateneo de Manila University.

The three characters narrates three stories once upon a grim fairy tale time.

Set Design by Ed Lacson, Jr.

The complete cast and staff of "Games People Play"

For tickets, contact John Yap at 0917-722-5399 or visit their Facebook page by clicking here: Games People Play for more information.

Gian Magdangal

Iya Villania

Jennifer Blair-Bianco

Rafa Siguion-Reyna

Carla Dunareanu