‘Boy’ or girl: Gender, search for self explored in latest TA production

Tanghalang Ateneo (TA), the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University, opens its 38th season—which has “De/Constructing Narratives” as its theme—with award-winning American playwright Anna Ziegler’s thought-provoking Boy on Oct. 19.

Originally staged by the Keen Co. in New York City earlier this year, Boy is described as a story of self-realization and gender identity, of finding one’s self amid doubt and confusion. It follows Adam Turner, who, as a newborn, had an unfortunate accident that resulted in his parents’ decision to raise him as a girl upon the advice of a renowned psychologist.

As Adam grows older, his confusion about who he is and what he wants to become in life becomes so apparent that his parents eventually decide to reveal to him his true gender. The revelation leads Adam to recreate himself and sever all communication with his psychologist.

A nominee for the 2016 Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award, Boy was inspired by a real-life case study conducted in the United States from the late 1960s to the early 1990s. The study, commonly referred to as the case of “Dr. Money and the Boy with No Penis,” is about a botched circumcision that led to the child’s parents seeking the help of renowned sexologist Dr. John Money, who agrees to counsel the child in exchange for conducting the study.

Boy is translated into Filipino by Palanca award-winning playwright Guelan Varela-Luarca and directed by Ed Lacson Jr. Cholo Ledesma plays the title role, and is supported by Teroy Guzman, who plays Adam’s psychologist Dr. Wendell Barnes; Camille Abaya, who portrays his single-mother love interest Jenny; Mayen Estañero and Wenah Nagales, who alternate in the role of Trudy, Adam’s mother; and Juliene Mendoza, who plays Adam’s father Doug.

Joining Luarca and Lacson—who’s also the production’s set designer—in the artistic team are TA artistic director, company moderator, and Palanca award-winning dramatist Glenn Sevilla Mas; sound designer and composer Teresa Barrozo; lighting designer Barbie Tan-Tiongco; costume designer Carlo Pagunaling; and graphics designer Ange Espiritu.

Boy will be staged at the Ateneo de Manila’s Black Box Theater (Fine Arts Annex). Playdates are Oct. 19 to 22, 25 to 29, Nov. 4 and 5, and 8 to 12. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. while Saturday matinee shows begin at 2:30 p.m.

For more information, call Alysha Magtuto at 0917-5119140 or send her an e-mail to alyshamagtuto@gmail.com.