‘Magno Rubio’ H’wood-bound

Gelo Francisco (Claro), Jonjon Briones (Magno), Antoine Diel (Prudencio), Jet Montelibano (Atoy) photo: Hydee Ursolino Abrahan

The manongs—Filipino immigrant workers in “The Romance of Magno Rubio,” Lonnie Carter’s Obie award-winning stage adaptation of a Carlos Bulosan short story, are going to Hollywood.

Love-struck farm laborer Magno Rubio and his fellow workers in 1930s California are taking center stage at the John Anson Ford Theater, a venerable venue on Cahuenga Boulevard East in Hollywood for nearly 90 years. The play, based on Bulosan’s story of the same title, is opening the season of the “[Inside] the Ford” series.

For the first time, Lonnie’s mostly English version (premiered to acclaim in 2002 by Ma-Yi Theater Company) and a new Tagalog translation will be presented during the play’s six-week run. Bernardo Bernardo, who fell in love with the play the first time he saw it in a Laguna Playhouse production in 2003, wrote the Tagalog version, which will have its world premiere on Nov. 5 and will be staged in Saturday matinee and evening performances.

Lonnie’s original English version, which opens Nov. 4, will be presented Thursday and Friday evenings and in Sunday matinee performances.

Bernardo, who appeared in the equally well-received Chicago production in 2004, is directing both versions produced by Ed Ramolete and executive-produced by Ted Benito and Paul Policarpio. Bernardo promises a fresh take on the play. “I decided from day one that I would show more of the grittier side of Bulosan’s world in reinterpreting Lonnie’s award-winning text,” Bernardo said. “I am shamelessly proud of all the versions I’ve watched and appeared in—they were all awesome! But … I want this reincarnation of ‘Magno Rubio’ to be special. I am pushing myself and the cast to explore other ways to interpret the story while remaining loyal to its historical/thematic/cultural underpinnings.”

Cast in both English and Tagalog versions are Jon Jon Briones (as Magno Rubio), Antoine Diel (Prudencio), Elizabeth Rainey (Clarabelle) and Muni Zano (Narrator). In the English production, the roles of Nick, Claro and Atoy are portrayed by Giovanni Ortega, Erick Esteban and Eymard Cabling, respectively. Frederick Edwards (Nick), Gelo Francisco (Claro) and Jet Montelibano (Atoy) are cast in the Tagalog version. More details are available on www.fordtheatres.org.

We asked the cast what inspired them to be in the play.

JON JON BRIONES

“It is very important to present this story in the United States, especially in California. It reminds everyone that we didn’t just show up here and all was fine and good. The manongs came here during a very troubled time in US history and we helped shape this nation.”

ANTOINE DIEL

“As a Fil-Am, I’ve been lucky to have portrayed Filipino characters in many productions, like ‘Imelda the Musical’ (as Ninoy Aquino) and ‘Dogeaters.’ [But] it is rare to play a character in a story that has a connection to the history of the manongs. We are often referred to as forgotten Asians or invisible Americans. The more visibility our stories get, the better.”

ELIZABETH RAINEY

“I have a very positive creative relationship with co-producer Ed Ramolete. When he asked me to read for him and director Bernardo, I jumped right in. It’s amazing to [help relate] this seldom-told story, [and] an honor to work with such an incredibly talented cast.”

MUNI ZANO

“A casting call in the papers … and the prodding of a fellow artist brought me to this play. Little did I know that it was an Obie-winning play. With an excellent cast, a formidable team of producers, an audacious director and a prestigious venue, ‘Magno Rubio’ will soar triumphantly. ”

FREDERICK EDWARDS

“If Bernardo’s passion is any indication … everyone is in for one heck of a show-stopping adventure. This project has such a deep connection to Bernardo and the producers, Ted Benito and Ed Ramolete, both of whom are sons of manongs.”

GIOVANNI ORTEGA

“The crux of the story lies in brotherhood—a universal bond among men who have been put in a situation away from opulence and plunged into animosity. All they have before they succumb to their fantasies in sleep are each other, and their laughter.”

ERICK ESTEBAN

“I played Claro in the Midwest premiere of ‘Magno’ at Victory Gardens Theater with Bernardo. Another chance to duplicate one of the most inspiring and fulfilling shows of my 15-year acting career is an opportunity I would never pass up. There are so few chances a Fil-Am actor has to portray a Filipino character. So many times, we are called to be the miscellaneous brown character.”

GELO FRANCISCO

“It was a sense of responsibility that got me interested in the play. It is a privilege to be a medium for telling the story of our ancestors who stuck it out in an alien land.”

EYMARD CABLING

“The struggle of a man against hardship is always a wonderful story. Love is what keeps ‘Magno Rubio’ alive. There is nothing better than being in a show about love—whether it is love for another person, family or one’s country.”

JET MONTELIBANO

“When Bernardo asked me to read for a part, I had no idea what the play was about. [On] YouTube, I found images and notes about the play and …  saw an opportunity to do something different from what I have been doing lately—concert production—and going back to one of my first loves, theater. ”

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