Teatro Meron, in partnership with Roleplayers for its 20th anniversary, successfully staged Sopranong Kalbo, a Filipino translation of Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist classic The Bald Soprano by National Artist Rolando S. Tinio, directed by Ron Capinding. The production ran from August 8 to 10, 2025, at the Rizal Mini Theater, Ateneo de Manila University.
The staging served not only as a celebration of Roleplayers’ two decades in theater but also as a heartfelt birthday tribute to the late Ricardo G. Abad, a beloved figure in Philippine theater and academia. The event raised funds for the Ricardo G. Abad Endowment Fund for the Sciences and Arts, continuing his legacy of supporting both education and the performing arts.
The Bald Soprano, considered a cornerstone of the Theatre of the Absurd, was given fresh life in Sopranong Kalbo. This Manila-set adaptation reflected the humor and unease of modern Filipino life, where language collapses, meaning dissolves, and ordinary conversations spiral into delightful chaos.
The production featured a powerhouse cast of seasoned performers, including Miren Alvarez-Fabregas, Pickles Leonidas, Joseph Dela Cruz, Gold Soon, Yan Yuzon, and Joel Macaventa. Their performances brought depth, wit, and energy to Ionesco’s classic, bridging the absurdist tradition with contemporary sensibilities.
Photo Credit: Jules Edar Ballaran
With strong support from media partners, arts advocates, and patrons of Philippine theater, the limited engagement of Sopranong Kalbo underscored Teatro Meron and Roleplayers’ shared commitment to celebrating both the absurd and the visionary in local theater.
