ABQ Blog author Joyce Burton Titular (left) with Chancel Repertory actor Peter Chua. I play Charlie Bailey and Peter here is Jim, my character's hubby!
Two Saturdays ago (Oct 8, 2011) this beauty queen had the chance to do some acting on stage at the Greenhills Christian Fellowship. It was a successful debut for me – far more successful, in my opinion, compared to the last time I acted on stage which was something like 17 or 18 years ago. Actor-Director Bart Guingona, who was my acting teacher at the time (and the best one I’ve ever had), recruited me to play a support role in the Off-Broadway play “Porno Stars at Home” by Leonard Melfi.
Now before you start reacting violently to that title, I would like to make things CRYSTAL clear: Porno Stars at Home IS NOT an X-Rated play; it is a smartly-written, Off-Broadway piece on how porno stars might be in real life. There are no kissing scenes or naked scenes and if I remember correctly, there is no swearing either. In fact, my character Uta always speaks politely, wears baggy clothes and is completely covered from wrists to ankles. My co-actors in that play were Cita Astals and Tom Lupton who played the lead. Supporting cast was Jamie Wilson, me and one lovely young Filipina stage actress who is now based in London. If anyone remembers her name, leave a comment please!
One of the most dramatic and emotional scenes is between me and young actor Seaver Choy who plays Mark, my character's son
Eighteen years later, I’m back on stage, a MUCH better actress and… I have to say, A MUCH BETTER PERSON! Can you imagine, God has brought me this far as a performer; from being a so-so actress in Porno Stars at Home (Bart Guingona will attest to this haha!) to becoming a sensitive character in FAMILY OUTINGS, a Christian play. And it took God 18 years to prepare me for this new journey as a theater actress!
What is even more humbling is that in Chancel Repertory’s FAMILY OUTINGS, I get the chance to play the leading lady this time – the funny and bossy Charlie Bailey, wife of Jim Bailey. You know, I am very stariray and love to be the center of attention but God has tempered my desire to steal the limelight by constantly reminding me that HE is the star of the show and I’m just the clay he uses to tell HIS story. It is a wonderful feeling to know that the burden of the drama rests not on my shoulders but on the Potter who moulds me.
My daughter Diandra Zach in action as Beth in "Family Outings" by Chancel Repertory.
Another delight for me is that my daughter Diandra Zach is in the play too (we auditioned separately and both got called back, thank you Direk Marl Aranal for trusting us!!) and my hubby Ron is one of the DJ characters but you will only hear his voice. Apparently, when God blesses, he doesn’t just bless one person, He blesses entire families!
To make things even more perfect, I have found a new family in Chancel Repertory, a theater group organized by some wonderful Filipino-Chinese actors some 25 years ago. Every time I go to rehearsals I feel like I’m attending a family reunion! And, I am learning so much about Chinese attitudes from everyone in the cast – like how to be careful with money – AHHH, there’s God speaking to me again!
For those of you who would like to watch FAMILY OUTINGS, check out our Facebook site: just search Family Outings Chancel Repertory or click on the link!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO PRESENT THE PLAY AT YOUR CHURCH OR ORGANIZATION, please send me email at jaedeelight@yahoo.com We do not charge fees to show the play but there are charges for renting the lapel mics and a sound system if your org does not have one.
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Play Summary:
Relationship troubles between hubby Jim Bailey and wife Charlie come to a head after 22 years of marriage. Three things have come between this Christian couple : a run-down cabin, Charlie’s busy schedule and a pretty girl named Gwen. To complicate matters, their oldest son David is about to get married to the starry-eyed but irritating Beth and their youngest teenage son Mark can’t seem to stop pointing out all the issues that family is afraid to face.
With the help of a wacky but lovable neighbor named Matty and her nephew Samson, the couple finally face the real problems of their marriage – they have somehow drifted away fromeach other and from God. Will Jim and Charlie break up after years of marriage? Or will God step into the picture and bring the couple to brokenness and forgiveness?
While the play has dramatic and emotional scenes, Family Outings is also full of funny, even hysterical moments that will have you laughing in stitches one moment then sighing in sympathy the next. A wonderful play for married couples and for singles who are getting ready for marriage. Even teenagers will enjoy watching the travails and triumphs of the Bailey Family!
Family Outings is a mobile play that will run for one year – from September 2011 to August 2012 – at the different churches in Metro Manila. Email jaedeelight@yahoo.com for more information on how to book the play for your church or organization!
DIRECTOR:
Mark Aranal
CAST and ALTERNATES:
Jim Bailey: Brian See, Peter Chua, Danny Liuson
Charley Bailey: Nenel Arcayan, Marian Ang, Joyce Burton Titular (me)
David Bailey: Johann Ang Tan, Derrick Lim
Beth: Diandra Zach, Darelle Yu Tian-Tiu
Mark Bailey: Seaver Choy, Mark Ang
Aunt Matty: Pie Manuel, Buena Tupe, Eliza Chih-Chiusinco
Samson: Alvin Chua, Johann Ang Tan, Derrick Lim
[...] ABQ STARS IN THE STAGE PLAY, “FAMILY OUTINGS“ – Finally, God gave me a chance to explore the actress he put inside of me! In this dramatic [...]