IS AMERICA IN THE HEART

IS AMERICA IN THE HEART

Last updated: August 18, 1994

Written by Chris Millado
Music by Louie Pascasio
Producer Delia Batle Associate Producer Glades Perreras

peregriNasyon performs as a fuge on colonialism and migration which takes the specific experience of Filipinos in Depression America and the Philippines under Colonial Rule. History, as rendered in this performance, splinters into a myriad of images conjured by narratives like Carlos Bulosan's autobiographical novel "America Is in the Heart," the oral testimonies of surviving manongs and manangs, salvaged photographs and mementos, secret poetry from the fields, historical texts and fully remembered tunes and dance hall state, which are believed to characterize the dangerous and wonderful mission of creating new identities. The subject is caught in the act of constructing her / himself. S/He stands precariously on constantly shifting grounds. His/Her only salvation is to capture the sudden and subterranean connections of fragments and ruptures in history. This version has evolved from a process which started with the direct adaptation of "America Is in the Heart" staged by Pintig Theater Company in Chicago, then a workshop production entitled
"Is America in the Heart?" with Teatro ng Tanan".

Production Dates: August 18, 19, 20 & 21, August 25, 26, 27 & 28, 1994 at 8:00 pm.
at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
701 Mission Street at Third, San Franciso City .
Phone orders for tickets: 415 978-ARTS

Cast and Crew lists follow below.

Manongs and Rooster Fight

Katupunan Society and the Arrival

What the Critics say

"...Exhilarating producgtion...renews our flagging faith in the redemptive power of theatre."

--- Irene Backalenick, Backstage News New York

"...Impossibly elegant and menacing..."

--- D.J.R. Buckner, The New York Times

"...peregrNasyon blazes out as a tropical, turbulent theatrical mosaic."

--- Francine Russo, The Village Voice

"...Compelling and long overdue."

--- Chris Borris, San Francisco Weekly

"...The action bursts forth and steadily percolates in a heady blend of stately pageantry, provocative martial arts - based choreography and sharply staged images...

--- Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Examiner

"...peregrNasyon so beautifully recaptures the power of ritual, the effect sings through your bones like the voice of your ancestors."

--- Leroy Thomson, Honolulu Weekly

"...an artistic triumph!"

--- John Berger, Honolulu Star Bulletin

"...Stunning visuals...remarkable...excellent ensemble...dynamic production."

--- Joseph T. Rozmiarek, Honolulu Advertiser

"...Alternately stirring and amusing...merging political theater, religious ritual and stunning movement sequences."

--- Andy Buck, In Theater

"...Dynamic and thought-provoking script...directed with style, hujor, and passion."

--- Dan Bacaizo, Performance Reviews

peregriNasyon "IS AMERICA IN THE HEART"

CAST LIST

TATAY, PIMP	Richard Talavera
PEDRO CALOZA, FLAGELLANT	George Imperial
MARIANO, SHEIK	Van Bagnol
SIMEON	Alex Torres
MANANG, ROOSTER	Earlene Somera
COLONEL GORDON, CLAUDE	Michael Oakes
MRS. GORDON, LADY DIANA MAYO	Karen Criswell
ESTEBAN	Erwin Urbi
TAXI DANCER ROOSTER	Joy Lacanienta
LUKAS, VILLAGER	Apollo Madayag
TAXI DANCER, VILLAGER	Marissa Catubig
PINOY, VILLAGER	George Dyogi
TAXI DANCER, VILLAGER	Eve Arellano
INITIATE, PINOY	Clinton Desales
TAXI DANCER, HENERALA	Wilma Consul

CREW LIST

DIRECTOR	Chris Millado
ORIGINAL MUSIC	Louie Pascasio
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR	Wilma Consul
CHOREOGRAPHER / DANCE INSTRUCTOR	Benito Santiago
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY / KALI	David Anthony Ducay
LIGHTING DESIGNER	Fred Cushing
SOUND DESIGNER / EFFECT	Hing Ng
COSTUMES DESIGNER	Ito Curata
SCENIC DESIGNER	Agelio Batle

Filipino American Arts Expositon, 1994

Pictures courtesy Gerry Gropp and Filipino American Arts Exposition, photography by various people.
Presented through a special arrangement with Center for the Arts Forum.,
701 Mission Street at Third, San Francisco, Ca. 94112