Kendra has the perfect family. She’s made sure of it. But when her brother Ben proves uncontrollable, she’s forced to confront her idea of family and how we choose to show up for one another.
Up-and-coming theater company Mad Child Productions closes its inaugural season and rings in the holiday season with its most ambitious production yet—a full staging of a newly translated play, headlined by an all-star ensemble cast.
This December, Mad Child Productions proudly presents Nagkatuwaan Sa Tahanang Ito, a Guelan Varela-Luarca translation of This House Is For Laughing by Sam Walsh. Directed by the award-winning, seven-time Palanca Awardee, and Hall of Famer Guelan Varela-Luarca, this production offers a heartwarming and comedic reflection on family, loneliness, and labor—a perfect watch for the upcoming holiday season.
The play takes a witty yet heartfelt look at the pressures people put on themselves and each other to maintain appearances in pursuit of happiness and stability. What does it take to have meaningful relationships? What do you do when you have so much love to give and don’t know where to put it? With its blend of humor and depth, it promises to leave audiences laughing, possibly crying, but ultimately hopeful about the power of connection and togetherness.
Spearheaded by director and translator Guelan Varela-Luarca (7-time Palanca Awardee and Hall of Famer) and playwright Sam Walsh (BFA Acting: University of Florida, MFA Playwriting: Hunter College 2024), the production features an exceptional ensemble cast, including Manila improv sensation Thea Marabut as Kendra (Sila-Sila, A Very Good Girl, SPIT Manila), musical theater actor Joshua Cabiladas as Ben (Himala: Isang Musikal, Jepoy & The Magic Circle), theater veteran Peewee O’Hara as Alice (Nana Rosa, Gomburza), and film & television actor Soliman Cruz as Bob (Blue Room, Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan).
The artistic team includes Costume Designer Paul Martinez (Gruesome Playground Injuries), Lighting Designer Jethro Nibaten (Bar Boys: A New Musical, The Last Five Years, Ardór), Sound Designer Carlos Hombrebueno (Far Away/Napakalayo, Ardór, Ang Mga Kahon), Movement Designer Janina Mendoza (Bar Boys: A New Musical), and Graphic Designer Zoë de Ocampo (Mula Sa Buwan, Sintang Dalisay, 3 Upuan).
Nagkatuwaan Sa Tahanang Ito will be staged at the Black Box Theater, Old Communications Building, Ateneo de Manila University, from December 9 to 15, 2024. It includes gala shows at 8:00 PM on December 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15, with matinee performances at 5:00 PM on December 12, 13, and 15.
Tickets are available for P1,000 each. Book your tickets now at bit.ly/MCPTahananTickets. Or through Ticket2Me at https://ticket2me.net/event/22043.
For more updates, information, and announcements about the show, follow Mad Child Productions’ official Facebook and Instagram pages.
See you at the theater!
